The collaboration between Tommy Hilfiger and Lewis Hamilton is an ode to sportswear We spoke with emerging designer Clarence Ruth and Mercedes champion on the occasion of the release of the new model
The motorsport trend is becoming more and more present in the collections of fashion brands - one only needs to follow the runways of Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks to realize it - and Formula 1 has established itself as one of the most loved and followed sports, managing to engage new audiences. One of the pioneers who paved the way for this type of connection between sports and fashion is Tommy Hilfiger, an American designer who has chosen Lewis Hamilton as his ambassador for years. Over the years, the two have created extraordinary collaborations dedicated to motorsport, the latest being for the Formula 1 team Mercedes-AMG Formula One™ and created by emerging designer Clarence Ruth. We spoke with Lewis Hamilton and Clarence Ruth to hear about the capsule collection that will be presented for the Barcelona Grand Prix and will be worn by drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton during the weekend of June 21-23.
"Lewis Hamilton is a great inspiration to me because of his positive influence on and off the track. For me, off-track really inspired me. He did an amazing job using his positive influence to create a positive impact on the world. Meeting him in person solidified my impression of him. In addition to being a style icon, he is a philanthropist. He is a supporter and an inspiration for future generations." Hamilton has been a revolutionary in the world of Formula 1, both for his performances behind the wheel and for the surprising outfits he wears during each race weekend. "Lewis adds an extra level of excitement to race day by making the audience anticipate what he will wear on the track. In my opinion, he really did it for everyone, beyond his influence on fashion, his personal influence and impact on the world of F1 are amazing. He is creating space and opportunities for inclusion in the sport. Lewis is the first but, hopefully, will not be the last driver of color to compete at this level."
The collection features 10 pieces where motorsport meets the sporty aesthetic from other disciplines, "so for me, I wanted to represent sport in the collection, obviously through motorsports, soccer, hockey and rugby, which are international and global sports," says Ruth. "I wanted to incorporate the same spirit and enthusiasm that I grew up with in Tommy Jeans or clothing, Tommy's flag in particular has always been a fashion symbol for me. It was important that the same sense of wonder and creativity came through in this collection. I wanted to create a connection between my childhood and the present."
