From the Track to the Runway: The Rise of Grand Prix Fashion
As the Saudi Grand Prix heats up—both in temperature and in spectacle—so too does fashion's latest obsession: racecar driver style. Gone are the days when motor racing belonged solely to pit lanes and petrolheads. Today, the racetrack is a runway in its own right, and the Grand Prix aesthetic is speeding headlong into high fashion.
Motorcore, speedwear, racer revival—call it what you will, but the look is unmistakable. Think leather jackets with aggressive shoulders, branded jumpsuits, wraparound sunglasses, and an abundance of zips and studs. The trend, which also favours leather mini-skirts, vintage sports tees, heavy chains, and fringed flourishes, has screeched its way from Dubai to Manhattan, Tokyo to Copenhagen, and even the runways of luxury fashion houses.
At the 2025 Spring Paris Fashion Week shows, Vaquera opened the runway with a racing tee emblazoned across the chest like a sponsor logo. Dior took the idea of sportswear to eveningwear, sending down the catwalk a riff on track trousers and moto-check jackets. Even the minimalists have been seduced: Jil Sander's collection showed in Milano whispered racer chic through precision tailoring and subtle nods to performance gear and moto jumpsuits.
This isn't just a passing fad—it's fast becoming big business. Saint Laurent released a belt unmistakably inspired by motorcycle hardware. TAG Heuer teamed up with streetwear giant Kith to relaunch a limited edition Formula 1-themed collection of watches and accessories, merging Swiss craftsmanship with circuit culture. And last year, Dior, whose ongoing flirtation with Formula One took a turn when they tapped none other than seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton—known for his iconic paddock fashion—to design a capsule collection that blends couture with motorsport-inspired elements co-created with Dior Men's former Artistic Director Kim Jones.
And just when fashion and F1 couldn't get any cozier, LVMH hit the accelerator. The luxury conglomerate was recently named the global sponsor of Formula One in a landmark ten-year deal set to begin with the Melbourne Grand Prix in March 2025. As part of the agreement, LVMH brands will curate hospitality experiences and create bespoke activations across the race calendar. Louis Vuitton—already responsible for the trunk that houses the Formula One trophy—will expand its involvement, alongside Moët Hennessy and TAG Heuer (a nod to its earlier tenure as F1's official timekeeper in the 1990s and early 2000s).
The blurred lines between fashion and Formula One are less of a trend and more of a merger, perfectly timed in an era where luxury seeks both edge and adrenaline. So whether you're more pit lane or Place Vendôme, buckle up—because Grand Prix fashion is here to stay.
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