Just hours after wrapping up the Miami Grand Prix, Formula 1 legend Lewis Hamilton made a bold entrance at the 2025 Met Gala in New York City. Joining co-chairs Colman Domingo and Anna Wintour, Hamilton once again proved that fashion is more than just clothing—it is a canvas for storytelling, culture, and heritage.
A Personal Ode to Style Icons
In his recent Vogue cover story, Hamilton reflected on how his passion for fashion was shaped by icons he admired growing up. He spoke of legends like Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Eddie Murphy, and later cultural figures such as Cab Calloway, James Baldwin, Nelson Mandela, and André Leon Talley.
“I lived vicariously through magazines, music videos, and films,” Hamilton shared. “I saw how their image was so important to them, and how they presented themselves through fashion.” These influences cultivated his awareness of how style communicates identity, power, and respect.
The Look: Crafted with Purpose
For the 2025 Met Gala, Hamilton collaborated with British designer Grace Wales Bonner to create a striking ivory ensemble rooted in Black heritage and spiritual symbolism.
The outfit featured:
A cropped jacket with high-waisted tuxedo-striped trousers
Coattails paired with a crisp white bow tie
An embroidered ivory sash draped elegantly from the waistband
A beret designed by Stephen Jones Millinery to complete the statement
Wales Bonner infused the ensemble with profound meaning. “We brought together influences from Barkley L. Hendricks’s art, Black spiritual dress, and the craft signatures of my brand,” she explained. Each detail carried a cultural narrative, with elements like cowrie shells, mother-of-pearl buttons, and baobab flower motifs deliberately chosen to honor African traditions and ancestral connections.
Three Months of Research, Two Months of Creation
This was not an outfit made overnight. “My stylist Eric McNeal and I took our time,” Hamilton explained. “We’re both intentional when it comes to fashion. It’s never just about how it looks—it’s about what it says.”
The creation of the look required three months of research followed by two months of careful tailoring and design execution. McNeal emphasized that every aspect was deliberate. “What makes this look powerful is its purpose. Every trim, gem, and silhouette carries a story.”
This methodical approach demonstrated Hamilton’s respect for fashion as a discipline—much like racing, it requires precision, timing, and vision.
Symbolism in Every Detail
What set Hamilton’s look apart from the hundreds of other Met Gala appearances was the layered symbolism woven into the fabric.
Cowrie shells on the sash symbolized protection in African culture.
Garnet gemstones referenced Hamilton’s January birth month, linking his identity to the ensemble.
Baobab brooches, created with SNOW Diamonds, celebrated growth, resilience, and legacy.
Whirligig African Daisy-shaped cufflinks evoked memory, identity, and endurance.
These symbolic touches were not mere accessories—they transformed Hamilton’s outfit into a visual narrative of heritage, self-discovery, and cultural pride.
Paying Tribute to Black Legacy
The ensemble also nodded to trailblazers who came before him. References to Cab Calloway’s Harlem Nights style and Barkley L. Hendricks’s iconic white-on-white portraiture were intentional tributes. Hendricks’s portraits, where restraint becomes a powerful artistic message, deeply influenced the restrained yet commanding aesthetic of Hamilton’s attire.
Hamilton has consistently used the Met Gala to elevate Black history and creativity. His 2021 appearance famously included hosting a table of emerging Black designers, giving them visibility on one of the biggest global fashion stages. In 2024, he honored John Ystumllyn, the first recorded Black gardener in 18th-century Wales.
This year, Hamilton’s collaboration with Wales Bonner further extended his commitment to uplifting underrepresented voices in fashion while tying personal identity to cultural storytelling.
Hamilton’s Place in Fashion Beyond Racing
Although best known as a seven-time Formula 1 World Champion, Hamilton has increasingly cemented himself as a style icon and cultural force. From front-row appearances at fashion weeks to being a muse for major designers, he has redefined the intersection between sports and fashion.
What makes Hamilton stand out is his insistence that fashion should not be superficial. He approaches clothing with the same philosophy he brings to racing: discipline, authenticity, and vision. “For me, fashion is about freedom and representation,” he once said. “It allows me to honor my heritage and also inspire the next generation.”
The 2025 Met Gala was not just about glamour for Hamilton—it was a continuation of his mission to push boundaries, challenge norms, and ensure that the legacy of Black artistry is woven into mainstream culture.
A Look That Resonates Beyond the Red Carpet
In a year where conversations about representation, diversity, and heritage continue to shape the creative industries, Hamilton’s Met Gala appearance stood out as one of the night’s most intentional and meaningful ensembles.
It wasn’t just an outfit—it was a statement about identity, resilience, and history. From the cowrie shells to the African Daisy cufflinks, Hamilton demonstrated how clothing can act as a living archive of culture.
As Wales Bonner summarized: “Lewis wanted every detail to have meaning. It’s about celebrating where we come from—and where we’re going.”
And in doing so, Hamilton reminded the world that style is more than fashion—it’s legacy in motion.
