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Lewis Hamilton – Shifting Gears into the Fashion World
Lewis Hamilton, the 7-time Formula 1 World Champion, is a man of many talents. Known for his precision on the racetrack, Hamilton has also emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the fashion world. From his head-turning outfits at the paddock to gracing the Met Gala red carpet, Hamilton’s journey into fashion reflects his creative spirit and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
A Passion Beyond Racing
Hamilton’s love for fashion is anything but a passing interest. Over the years, he has showcased a bold and adventurous style with a penchant for experimenting with colours, silhouettes, and accessories. His appearances at high-profile events like the Met Gala have solidified his status as a fashion icon.
Notably, Hamilton attended the Met Gala in 2015, 2018, 2019, and 2021, making waves each time with his daring ensembles. From his sleek black leather look in 2015 to his 2021 white lace suit by Kenneth Nicholson—complete with a floor-length train—Hamilton consistently redefines masculinity in fashion. His September 2021 appearance was particularly noteworthy as he used his table at the event to spotlight emerging Black designers, a testament to his commitment to diversity. For the event, he worked with Kenneth Nicholson—a rising Black designer—to create a custom white lace tuxedo with a dramatic train. This gesture extended beyond the red carpet, as Hamilton purchased a table at the gala and invited several Black designers to showcase their work, spotlighting talent often overlooked by the mainstream fashion industry.
In interviews, Hamilton has described fashion as an extension of his personality and a medium to express himself.
“I’ve always been into fashion. It’s about experimenting and pushing the boundaries, just like I do on the track,” he shared.
This passion has led him to collaborate with renowned brands and eventually launch his own initiatives within the fashion space.
Memorable Paddock Looks
Hamilton’s influence on fashion extends to the Formula 1 paddock, where his outfits have become a cultural phenomenon. A few standout looks include:
- Silver Puffer Coat and Plaid Pants at 2019 Japanese Grand Prix: This futuristic yet retro look perfectly combines high fashion with trackside practicality.
- Bright Neon Suit at the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix: Lewis turned heads with an electric lime-green suit paired with reflective sunglasses, bringing streetwear flair to one of F1’s most prestigious events.
- Floral Matching Set for the 2022 Miami Grand Prix: In collaboration with Casablanca, Hamilton sported a breezy floral-printed shirt and matching trousers, redefining tropical fashion on race day.
These outfits, among many others, show Hamilton’s willingness to challenge conventions and bring creativity to a traditionally buttoned-up sport.
Lewis in floral set for the 2022 Miami Grand Prix/ Lewis neon suit at the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix/Collage made by Britta Carlson
Ventures in Fashion Design
Lewis Hamilton’s foray into fashion design is a testament to his creativity and commitment to making a positive impact through style. His most prominent venture, the TommyXLewis collaboration with Tommy Hilfiger, launched in 2018 and became a global success. This partnership wasn’t just about putting his name on a label—it was about creating designs that reflected his lifestyle, values, and vision for inclusivity in the fashion industry.
Spanning several seasons, the TommyXLewis collections combine bold aesthetics with comfort and practicality. The designs are inspired by Hamilton’s dynamic life, blending streetwear with luxury fashion.
The collections are defined by bold colour palettes featuring vibrant hues like purples, reds, and golds alongside Tommy Hilfiger’s iconic branding. They incorporate statement graphics, motivational quotes and unique patterns, celebrating individuality and self-expression. Designed with a unisex appeal—the pieces challenge traditional gender norms while promoting inclusivity. Sustainability is also a key focus, with recent iterations using eco-friendly materials like organic cotton and recycled polyester, reflecting Hamilton’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
By prioritizing inclusivity and sustainability, Hamilton’s designs echo his advocacy for environmental and social justice, further intertwining fashion with his mission.
Fashion and Advocacy
For Hamilton, fashion is more than self-expression—it’s a platform for change. As one of the most vocal athletes on issues like diversity and inclusion, Hamilton uses his influence in fashion to highlight these causes. From championing emerging Black designers at the Met Gala to advocating for better representation across the fashion industry, he leverages his role to spark important conversations.
His commitment to inclusivity will take centre stage in his newest role as host of the 2025 Met Gala, along with fellow sports legends Lebron James, Pharrell Williams, Colman Domingo and ASAP Rocky. The theme of next year’s event will be “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” – an opportunity that binds together two of his greatest passions: fashion and diversity. As a judge, Hamilton will play a role in honouring Black Dandyism and the styling of Black diasporic identity, which have frequently pushed boundaries while championing greater representation in one of fashion’s most prestigious events.
Setting Trends and Breaking Barriers
Hamilton’s impact on fashion resonates far beyond his personal style. He has inspired fellow athletes, particularly within Formula 1, to embrace fashion as a means of self-expression. Charles Leclerc, his future teammate, is another Formula One star whose fashion has attracted admiration. Growing up in Monaco, Leclerc channels the relaxed yet upscale style synonymous with the French Riviera. Lightweight linen shirts, tailored shorts, and loafers are his go-to for summer looks, often seen during his downtime by the Mediterranean. Additionally, his aesthetic leans toward a monochromatic palette, often wearing shades of black, white, navy, and grey. This minimalist approach highlights his preference for timeless, versatile pieces over trend-driven fashion.
Lewis Hamilton’s ability to turn the F1 paddock into a runway has reshaped the image of motorsport, blending the worlds of high fashion and high performance. Last month, Formula 1 announced a historic 10-year global partnership with LVMH, set to commence in 2025 during F1’s 75th anniversary. Tommy Hilfiger has also expanded its involvement by partnering with the F1 Academy, an all-female racing series aimed at developing young female drivers.
Looking Ahead
Lewis Hamilton’s journey into fashion is only gaining momentum. Whether he’s designing collections, spotlighting emerging talent, or judging the Met Gala, Hamilton is making a profound impact on the fashion world. His bold vision, coupled with his unwavering commitment to diversity, ensures that he will continue to be a trailblazer both on and off the track.
In stepping into fashion, Lewis Hamilton proves that success knows no bounds. As he navigates this new terrain, he’s not only elevating his own profile but also paving the way for others to follow…
Alex Consani: Stuns in Jacquemus New ‘Winter Retreat’ Campaign
Our favourite IT girl, Alex Consani, returns for the new Jacquemus winter collection campaign titled ‘Winter Retreat,’ just in time for the harsh winter months. Known for their pervasive campaigns, vibrant styles, and audacious statements, the two icons are simply a match made in heaven! Jacquemus’ collection is bold and brilliant, with a modern twist, encapsulating the winter season in traditional designer style.
Spotlighting a limited-edition collection, the campaign showcases a collection of must-have ready-to-wear pieces and accessories for the holiday season. The Jacquemus collection offers comfy, monochromatic beige, cream, and white pieces, ideal for capturing a snug and chic look. Combine this with the range of winter must-haves like scarves, gloves, and beanies, and you’ll have everything needed to embrace winter in style and warmth. Shot by multi-disciplinary artist Lisa Jahovic, Consani is captured in a beautiful light, displaying the iconic and stylish pieces Jacquemus is distinctively known for. The brand is shown in a new light, making the collection stand as a statement on its own.
All pictures are from @jacquemus via Instagram.com
The collection sees the return of many classic items, revamped in true Jacquemus style, with new shapes on iconic designs like Rond Carré, Le Bisou, and Le Rond making a comeback with soft fabrics and new seasonal shades. The Le Rond is crafted with soft leather and outlined with shearling. Le Bisou comes as a shoulder bag silhouette and a daring chain, with options of silver, red, and black. Possibly the star of the show, the Rond Carré is available in full shearling as a clutch bag or its new medium silhouette. The collection displays a complete winter wonderland of comfort and fun, and Consani’s natural, sleek, and polished look makes her the perfect model to showcase these new redefined looks.
Nominated for the Fashion Awards 2024 Model of the Year, inspiration to many, Alex Consani successfully encapsulates the playful campaign in her true Gen-Z style. Consani’s confident and vibrant personality completes Jacquemus’ winter collection; she wears the clothes in a style and manner which makes them seem effortless and sophisticated. It’s clear to say that the clothes aren’t defining her; she’s defining them.
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Hedi Slimane’s Departure from Celine: a Musical Chairs of Creative Directors
On October 2nd, it was announced that the French photographer-turned-designer Hedi Slimane would leave Celine after almost seven years as Creative Director. This came as no surprise to those in the industry—there had been speculation for months prior to Slimane’s departure.
A Creative Director stepping down is neither new nor unusual, but in recent years, the switch-around has become a game of musical chairs. All within the last year: Sean McGuire took over from Sarah Burton at McQueen, Adrian Appiolaza moved to Moschino, Virginie Viard stepped down from Chanel, Kim Jones left Fendi, Alessandro Michele, from Gucci, is now at Valentino, and now, of course, Hedi Slimane has left Celine. There is a concern that the rate of departures is linkedto the ever-quickening pace of the trend cycle. After all, the purpose of a new Creative Director is to breathe new life and creativity into a brand—crucial for survival and beneficial for marketing. Fashion houses now face greater pressure to entice buyers. They are more than overlords of what is trending, they also operate as a trickle-down economy, as famously explained by Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada. They report to shareholders and fight against increasing costs, competition, and media coverage—there is no room for mistakes.
As a Creative Director, the job is not only designing seasonal collections but also spearheading the brand’s entire creative vision. It is a role that requires garment-making abilities, a great imagination, and business knowledge. A Creative Director can influence everything from the design of the clothes down to the runway. For instance, Matthieu Blazy of Bottega Veneta recently assigned animal-shaped beanbags to guests at Veneta’s Spring/Summer 2025 show, continuinghis playful vision through the collection, each animal supposedly matching each guest’s “vibe”. Alongside this, a Creative Director must also consider a fashion house’s values and heritage, which sometimes conflicts with their ideas for the brand.
Slimane has a history of making fashion houses his own. While Creative Director of YSL in 2012, he removed the ‘Yves’ from the brand name. Even at Celine, originally styled as Céline, Slimane dropped the accent over the ‘E’ before of his first show. This caused an uproar, with Slimane accused of erasing the brand’s French heritage. Though it may seem fickle, in fashion, the devil is in the details. To understand its significance, imagine someone removing a letter from your name or changing the pronunciation—suddenly, you feel like a new person with a new identity.
Heidi Slimane leaves Celine after seven years as Creative Director/Photo Credits: Dominique Charriau via Gettyimages.com
Creating his own distinct Celine is quite an accomplishment, especially since his predecessor was the industry favorite, Pheobe Philo. Philo was renowned for empowering women in a way that freed them from sexualization. Celine has always catered to women, initially dedicated to luxe sportswear, but Philo modernized the brand with unmatched elegance, pioneering ‘quiet luxury’. Today, brands like The Row, owned by the Olsen twins, emulate this style, while lesser brands like Molly Mae’s Maebe, attempt to replicate it. Philo has always been and continues to be, about timelessness and practicality, designing for women in a way that reflects her values as both a business owner and mother.
Slimane presented a contrast to Philo’s aesthetic at Celine. His designs took a cheekier approach. His ‘working women’ were still professional but younger and more tech-savvy. Slimane showed more feathers and sparkles—less work, more play. Like Philo, Slimane also achieved commercial success; LVMH, Celine’s parent company, reported a record year in sales under Slimane, making clear his departure wasn’t due to a lack of success. Business of Fashion reported that it was ultimately boardroom disagreement that led to his exit, with Slimane demanding “A historically high salary” and “Royalties on all manner of creative outputs”.
Given his vision and needs, it may be time for the French designer to start his brand, following in the footsteps of Phoebe Philo, who has launched her label since Celine. Slimane is not short of talent and is skilled at styling, design, and photography. He also has experience at various fashion houses. But there are suggestions he might move to another French legacy brand, possibly Chanel, which has yet to announce Virginie Viard’s replacement. Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel’s previous Creative Director, is said to have admired Slimane.
As for the future of Celine, Michael Rider, previously Creative Director at Polo Ralph Lauren, has been chosen to replace Slimane. It will be interesting where Rider takes Celine’s working women next. For those who dismiss or don’t understand the constant switching of Creative Directors, it is comparable to the movement of football players, or betteryet, managers. Just like fans might wonder if Thomas Tuchel, the new manager after Gareth Southgate’s resignation, can “finally bring it home”, those in fashion watch to see if a Creative Director will excel in a new fashion house. One wonders if it will respect a brand’s heritage while taking it to new heights. Will Rider succeed in following the legacies of Philo and Slimane at Celine? And where will Heidi Slimane go next?
Halloween in Leeds: Nostalgia Meets Street Style
As temperatures drop and October settles in, the anticipation begins—Halloween is just around the corner, offering the perfect opportunity to embrace creative costumes alongside the best of Leeds’ autumnal fashion.
Leeds, renowned for its distinctive street style, finds itself once again at the centre of something much bigger—where fashion converges with cultural nostalgia and personal expression. This Halloween is shaping up to be a moment where the city’s flair for creativity and individuality shines, blending old school classics with fresh, modern twists. From the resurgence of animal prints to the revival of classic film costumes, here’s what’s shaping Leeds’ Halloween style this year—and how to make the most of it.
The Return of Animal Prints
Animal prints are making a bold comeback, a stylish nod to the Y2K era that’s back in full swing. Leopard, zebra, and snake patterns, once the hallmarks of early 2000s fashion, are effortlessly weaving their way into this year’s costumes. But what’s driving this revival? It’s the perfect blend of nostalgia and accessibility—these prints not only channel fashion history but are also incredibly easy and budget-friendly to thrift or shop for.
Across campus, Hyde Park, and Headingly, animal prints are everywhere—from leopard-print Sambas to thrifted tube tops and Free People cardigans. Expect to see leopards, deer, and other animal-inspired costumes, with makeup taking these looks to the next level. A sleek cat-eye, headbands, or subtle animal face paint can refine and elevate the look. The beauty of animal prints is in their versatility; they’re just as relevant for a night out as they are for Halloween, fitting perfectly into a student’s wardrobe year-round.
Animal print make-up and costume ideas/Photos from Pinterest.com
The Return of the Fur
Over the past two years, fur jackets—both real and faux—have reclaimed their place as an autumn wardrobe essential. Whether it’s a nod to the glamor of the 70s or a revival of Y2K fashion, fur has become the ultimate layering piece, offering both warmth and sophistication as the weather cools. When it comes to Halloween, fur jackets add a sense of drama to any costume, transforming a simple outfit into a striking ensemble.
Take Cruella de Vil, for example—a fur jacket is the cornerstone of this iconic look, instantly evoking her unapologetic flair. But Cruella isn’t the only character or era you can channel with fur. Think of the classic Hollywood allure of Marilyn Monroe, draped in fur for a glamorous, old-school starlet vibe. Whether you’re embracing a villain or a screen icon, fur jackets elevate Halloween costumes, adding texture and visual interest to your look.
BDG Maxi Faux Fur Coat from Urban Outfitters/Photo from Urbanoutfitters.com
Cinematic Influence
Cinema has always been a driving force behind Halloween costumes, and last year’s wave of Barbie, Pearl, and Oppenheimer looks proved just how much influence the big screen holds. This year is no different, with films that once again set the tone for autumn style. From cult classics like Beetlejuice and Wicked to darker, moodier releases such as Saltburn, Smile, and The Substance, this season’s movies offer endless inspiration for Halloween costumes that blend film influence with individual style.
Classic film characters like The Bride from Kill Bill, Patrick Bateman, and the Joker remain Halloween favourites year after year. What keeps them fresh is their adaptability through street style. Rather than full replicas, it’s about reimagining them with statement pieces. For Beetlejuice, all you need is a black and-white striped top paired with modern tailoring. For the Joker, it’s bold makeup and green hair, paired with a statement jacket or thrifted suit. High boots or cowboy boots could even be made into the look of an Indiana Jones moment—these iconic looks are easily recognised but can be subtly elevated through everyday fashion.
Couples and Group Costumes
No Halloween is complete without the tradition of couples and group costumes, and this year is no exception. These looks are a staple of university life, offering a fun, cohesive way to celebrate as a flat or group of friends. From playful ideas like Dirty Martini and Espresso Martini to pop culture nods like Barbie and Ken, there’s plenty of room for creativity.
Expect to see groups dressing up as characters from iconic films and TV shows. Imagine Ratatouille for food lovers or Wanda and Cosmo for something light-hearted. Other popular ideas include Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf, Queen of Hearts and the White Rabbit, and even timeless pairs like Beauty and the Beast. For those who love a laugh, costumes like Kiss, Marry, Kill or Magic Mike can bring out the humour, while group themes like Peaky Blinders, Alvin and the Chipmunks, or Avatar ensure everyone gets in on the fun.
These costumes aren’t just fun; they’re a chance to showcase the creativity and camaraderie that come with uni culture. Whether you’re coordinating as a couple or going all out as a group, these looks ensure that Halloween remains one of the most exciting nights of the year for Leeds students.
Photos from Pinterest.com