After nearly 20 years in the fashion business, 15 of those spent running his eponymous label, Phillip Lim is taking an intentional slowdown. Last month, the designer released a statement on why he was pausing from the runway, citing “sustainability in all its forms” as a top concern: “I’d like to take a moment to breathe, to allow myself the time to think about the act of joyful creation again, not just the hustle.” In place of 3.1 Phillip Lim’s runway presentation at New York Fashion Week this season, the designer hosted a “studio day” at his flagship store on Great Jones Street. An all-day house party, it was an open invite to all: “no rsvp, no rush, no stress.”

“I wanted to get back to a place of connectivity, and part of that was about creating an experience that welcomed new faces, longtime friends, and loyal customers,” Lim says of his decision to skip NYFW. “Being able to pause, breathe, and hang out at our home while bringing our usual community of creatives into the mix made everything feel more open, yet intimate.” Here, he exclusively shares with The Slowdown a playlist of energizing, stress-free songs to chill out to.

“The music selection is a synthesis of beautiful voices and instrumentals, both current and referential,” he says. “Having a purposeful blend of acoustic and electronic sounds feels fresh and matches the stress-free energy of that day.”

“Winter Dub,” King Tubby

“The Single,” Cabaret Voltaire

“Stay High,” Brittany Howard

“Inventionary,” Chad Lawson

“Every Soul!!!!,” 9th Wonder

“Home,” Caribou

“Electroluminescence (SF Version),” Franck Kartell

“Humanz,” Marco Benevento

“Take Me Home,” Sofia Talvik

“Basso,” Aysedeniz Gokcin