Still from the video for Ooops by 808 State feat. Björk

We’re hanging onto this sweaty weather for all it’s got, once again asking music-fuelled designers to share what’s burning a hole in their monitors right now. Really, it was only appropriate to start with a music-head who lives and breathes his tunes: Christopher Shannon.

In Shannon’s world, memories and experiences don’t just assist in the inspiration process – they’re everything. Take his SS15 show last month, where recollections of teen-dom brought bedroom wall collage fodder as kick-ass prints, CAT boots were heavy and (youth) lust-worthy and everything had that DIY-but-not-DIY edge that’s differentiating designers like Shannon from the rest. Or think back to FW14, where sad, romantic visions of rain-soaked football players brought it. Or skip 12 months to SS14 and picture Shannon’s boys walking out to the vicious growl of “Congratulations on being a big fucking deal” over a filthy synth line in Diamond Version’s ‘The Blank Action’. Mega.

That track features in Shannon’s line-up and don’t get too excited but we have to say the rest of the list is nothing short of freak out worthy. Prepare to take an emotional sonic trip from the early to late 80s and 90s with some funky (yes, we said it) childhood classics to soulful moments from the now. Look closely and you’ll spot a couple of tracks missing (Shannon’s references are apparently too hot even for YouTube) but fear not and jump over to Soundcloud for the full experience. Turn it up, get involved.

Shake Your Head (Let’s Go To Bed) by Was (Not Was)

Walk The Dinosaur by Was (Not Was)
Christopher Shannon: “Remember these being played when I was a kid, still sounds so good.”

Weightless by Neneh Cherry
“We’ve being do Neneh’s looks for her current Blank Project tour, this is a fave.”

Accordion by Neneh Cherry and the Thing

The Blank Action by Diamond Version feat. Leslie Winer
“This is the track we worked on with Leslie for the AW13 show, this is the finished slightly sharper version. “Congratulations on being a big fucking deal” never gets tired.”

Stills by Panes
“Perfect break up song.”

Love Song by Madonna and Prince
“I love this, so much better than other stuff they did. 80s icons being breezy.”

Break My Stride by Matthew Wilder
“I heard this on an advert the other day and can’t stop playing it, again sort of tacky positive thinking anthem.”

Pandora by Frances Ashman
“Rediscovered this recently from Nil By Mouth, sort of gloomy London soundtrack.”

Ooops by 808 State feat. Björk
“We used this for the last show, I love the cavey acoustics.”