Billy Reid Spring/Summer 2016 during New York Fashion Week

Billy introduced his SS16 collection as part of the first standalone New York Fashion Week: Men’s in New York City. Models walked the runway in Chelsea’s ArtBeam studio while Nashville-based singer-songwriter Rayland Baxter played his song “Young Man” from his upcoming album Imaginary Man. His solo performance on electric guitar lent a moody, sultry tone both loose and refined to the atmosphere. “It was a perfect fit,” says Rayland. “The music, the vibe in the room, everything.”

Billy’s thoughtful matching of musician to collection has become as much an anticipated feature at his runway shows as the clothes themselves. Rayland’s edgy crooning accentuated the relaxed silhouettes and soft neutrals in the Spring-Summer 2016 collection, with a final raw jam that echoes the rebellious nature inherent to youth and hot summer days.

“Just like a good song makes you feel really good,” Rayland says. “Which is what a song is supposed to do, and a good song makes you feel something over and over again even when you’re not listening, the same applies with fashion. When you’re in clothes that you’re comfortable in, it can change everything, it can change the way you walk, how you are as a person. You can walk into a bar a little bit more confident knowing you look good.”