Elizabeth Kuzyk’s Summer ‘22 Edition playlist evokes a feeling of euphoria through fostering a sense of community and belonging. The designer discusses her creative process as it relates to music, storytelling, and dance—she designs each new collection with a specific character in mind—and imagines a world wherein the artists featured on her latest playlist are her most intimate friends. As Elizabeth notes, “what we all need right now is a little love.” 

Everything from Prince and Alicia Keys to Jimi Hendrix and Whitney Houston can be found on your latest playlist. What mood does this playlist evoke?

The mood I’m hoping to evoke with this playlist is one of joy. Something I’m realizing lately is that so much is beyond my control. But what I can do is spread a little joy—you never know who might really need it.

Every time I blast these songs in my car, I can’t help but sing along. Whether I’m cruising down the highway or filling up the tank at the gas station, the songs on this playlist just put me in a good mood. I hope to channel the joy I receive from listening to these tracks and spread it to strangers who cross my path. What we all need right now is a little love. 

You titled this playlist Summer ‘22 Edition. In what way are these tracks nostalgic of summer for you? 

Last summer’s playlist truly felt like the soundtrack to summer. I collected those songs over the course of several years—while aimlessly driving from NYC to Montauk and back and through the Rockies in Alberta. Last year’s playlist was on repeat as I drove solo from LA to NYC alongside my dog, Poe. 

This summer’s playlist is different…I really wanted to keep it simple. Something about this selection of artists feels intimate—especially the women. I feel like they’re my imaginary friends. I feel like they’ve always been and will continue to be there for me as I evolve and grow. This playlist just makes me feel happy and excited for summer. I hope it makes others feel similarly. 

How do these songs speak to and/or reflect your latest collection? Is there a specific message or story you're trying to convey with this playlist? 

When designing a new collection, I always create with a specific character in mind and then build out their wardrobe. I design their favorite clothes—pieces they’ve collected throughout their travels.

This upcoming collection was designed around Whitney Houston had she lived an alternate life—had she gotten clean in her 20s. I was inspired by her vocals and incredible talent but in my alternate universe she lives in Paris. This collection takes on a rock ‘n roll feel—it’s Whitney Houston meets Paris skateboard style. That’s all I can say for now. But yes, this is the playlist Whitney Houston listens to. 

Can you walk me through your playlist selection process?

I turn to music to feel less alone. The artists I selected for the playlist are the types of  people I want hanging out with me in my car. I want to scream with Whitney Houston, move with James Brown, and dance with Bob Dylan. 

Did you curate this specific playlist with someone or something in mind? 

This collection of songs and the artists chosen feel like a group of people I would want at a party this summer. I created this playlist  because I imagine it playing on Whitney Houston’s record player or through her Seinheiser headphones. 

Dance is an integral part of your design process. Seeing as dance and music are deeply connected, can you speak to the ways in which music informs your creativity? 

I design when I feel free, when I turn my attention away from my thoughts and into flow. Dance and meditation allow me to exist entirely in the moment and that’s when the creativity begins. It’s funny, I can be dancing and a song I love will come on and suddenly something takes over my heart and body—I’m flowing, I’m happy, I’m fully at ease. Music is truly powerful. A single song can make me feel so many emotions: sadness, happiness, filled with love. Music is my portal to dance and creativity. It’s pretty incredible. 

If you had to pick one piece from your collection that best reflects this playlist, which would it be and why? 

The Lilly B Dress. It’s made to be your summer uniform (and I mean wear it with tights and boots in the winter, too). I named it after my childhood nickname: Lilly B. My mom’s friend taught me how to sew one summer and I couldn’t stop making little pj sets for all of my stuffed animals. I also made little backpacks for them to put their sets in. 

Wear the dress to a party, dancing to this playlist, over a bathing suit to the beach, on a road trip…these are all the things the Lilly B Dress was made for.

What do you hope your listeners will get out of this playlist?

A sense of connection—that you aren’t alone. Imagine you’re hanging out with all of the artists.