Designer Playlist: Species by the Thousands

Erica Bradbury of Species by the Thousands once described her design aesthetic as "a 1970s craft book, the Halloween section." Interestingly, the same sense of mystery and whimsy that informs her jewelry collections seems to extend to the designer's summer 2012 playlist, from Steely Dan classics to Donovan's "Season of the Witch."

"C30, C60, C90, Go!," Bow Wow Wow - "It's wild and angry sounding for hot summer days in the city."

"Automatic," Pointer Sisters - "In the summer, electronics usually malfunction in the heat...and it seems to reflect that. Although I'm not sure what the song is actually about, really. I just like the beat."

"Sailing," Christopher Cross - "I wish somebody would invite me to go on their yacht and cruise the Rockaways. But instead, I'll listen to this while sipping a Miller High Life on the Staten Island Ferry."

"I Confess," The English Beat - "This song is a party boat—a booze cruise in the '80s or '90s or even now."

"Ricky Don't Lose That Number," Steely Dan - "Everyone loves Steely Dan on Long Island. And Long Island Iced Teas."

"Touch of Grey," The Grateful Dead - "To me, this song is about being a teen in the early '90s and most adults don't understand. I didn't like this song in the early '90s. But I like it now in my mid 30s...I don't know what to say about this song except I like it."

"They Don't Know," Tracey Ullman - "It's all about cooling off in the grocery store when it gets really really hot outside."

"I Wonder If I Take You Home," Lisa Lisa & the Cult Jam - "It feels like dressing racy at a street fair...and I love it."

"Gypsy Woman," Brian Hyland - "Late-night camping, secrets and ghost stories around the fire pit...Stephen King and summer magic."

"Season of the Witch," Donovan - "Kicking the leaves, waiting for summer and heat to end and fall to arrive with its mysteries and tales."

Designer Playlist: Collette Ishiyama Listens to ESG, Little Dragon

It's no wonder that Collette Ishiyama's glitzy, Deco-inspired baubles have just a hint of rocker-girl edge considering the designer jams to the likes of The Clash and Hot Chip while working in her studio.  Here, her can't-miss jams for summer 2012 (including choice surf-rock beats from Veronica Falls).

"Pipeline," The Ventures
"This is a great one—it's sunny and sinister at the same time."

"Beachy Head," Veronica Falls
"It's newer, but has that same evilness of '60s surf rock."

"The Call Up," The Clash
"I tend to not make playlists without The Clash."

"Dance," ESG
"The name kind of says it all."

"Nightlight," Little Dragon
"This whole album is good. I really like her voice—it's sort of androgynous."

"Over and Over," Hot Chip
"I listen to this while I'm working. Especially appropriate when performing repetitive tasks."

Related Stories:

Designer Playlist: Whitney Pozgay Listens to Francoise Hardy, Booker T and the MGs
Designer Playlist: Rachel Antonoff Kicks Back to Robyn and Best Coast
Designer Playlist: The Baggu Babes Groove to Dolly Parton and Desmond Dekker
Designer Playlist: Ann Yee Loves Beach House, Le Tigre Dance Jams

Designer Playlist: Rachel Antonoff Kicks Back to Robyn and Best Coast

Between her playful sundresses and killer fashion week presentations, we never had a doubt about Rachel Antonoff's superb taste. Now, with a summer playlist that includes jams from Fun. as well as the Notorious B.I.G., we have yet another reason to follow the New York designer's every move.

"One Foot," Fun.
"One of my favorites off their record 'Some Nights.' Really good for running."

"Boomerang," Miniature Tigers
"This song is so dreamy and wonderful and I love this band so so much."

"Whatever We Want," Chiddy Bang
"I cannot stop listening to this song. I've been running to it every day. It is SO good!"

"Hypnotize," The Notorious BIG
"A classic. Great for driving with the windows down."

"Bratty B," Best Coast
"She is the best and I never get sick of this song."

"Show Me Love," Robyn
"Another one I can't stop with. It's just too good."

"Sell My Old Clothes I'm Off to Heaven," Saves the Day
"One of my favorite bands ever and probably my most favorite song of theirs. Reminds me of high school."

"American Hearts," Piebald
"This song makes my heart swell. It's epic."

"Minneapolis," That Dog
"I love That Dog and this is one of my favorites. So fun to sing along to."

"Alligator," Tegan and Sara
"I love all of their songs so it's hard to pick. I think this is a great summer song."

Or click here to download a selection of songs from Rachel Antonoff's summer jams designer list.

Designer Playlist: Whitney Pozgay Listens to Francoise Hardy, Booker T and the MGs

Sweet summer jams are a key element chez Whit, where Brooklyn designer Whitney Pozgay and husband Parker Argote kick back to old-school Francoise Hardy and classic Neil Young tunes. We especially like that Beck—who reminds Pozgay of driving around the summer she got her license—made it onto her summer '12 playlist.

"Green Onions," Booker T and the MGs"This might be the coolest song of all time. It is hard to sit still while listening to it.""Skeletons," Dale Earnheart Jr."This song is a nice summertime song. It is really happy and mellow. Their whole album is a good summer listen.""I really like Amber Coffman's voice combined with Major Lazer's beats. It is a unique sound.""This is just a great classic. Neil Young is the man.""For some reason, I just can't get sick of this song. I don't know what it is, but I listened to it all of the time and still love it. The video is pretty rad too.""This album came out the year I got my license and I played it in the car all summer. It reminds me of my first little bit of independence and high school crushes.""Comment Te Dire Adieu," Francoise Hardy "Great pool party song. Makes me want a cocktail in a tall pink glass with a straw."