09-05-2025
F1 Miami's Secret World of Cars and Couture
The fashion and automotive worlds are closer-knit than you may imagine at first. It wouldn't be unfair to say that the two would be significantly different in our modern times without the other's existence. I was recently invited by the folks at eBay to attend the F1 Miami Grand Prix, not only to experience one of racing's most historic events, but also to experience it from that fashion-tinted lens.
On the first full day of our adventure, we were greeted by a very Miami-spec 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet, complemented by model and motorsport enthusiast Winnie Harlow. This served not just as a flex for eBay's lineup of pre-loved luxury fashion, but also as our crash course into that aforementioned affair between cars and fashion.
Cars are, inherently, attractive. Teams of professional designers meticulously work on sculpting the curves, shapes, materials, and colors of a car to portray a certain "vibe," if you will. A truck is meant to be a tough-looking machine, so oversized touches like a grille are commonplace. A luxury car gives off a suave aura, with flowing curves, thin lights, and a low-slung body.
That's not too far from the way fashion designers look at clothes. Think of the stylistic differences between a tight-fitting, curvy nightdress and the loose, airy feel of basketball shorts. They each serve different purposes but go through equal research and design phases to ensure they perform the way customers expect.
Automakers have long recognized this connection and sought to bridge the gap between the two fan bases with limited edition cars that prominently featured some kind of fashion connection. Back in the 1950s, the Dodge La Femme was a car specifically made for women, and although that's wildly sexist by modern standards, the included purse, lipstick, mirror, and other similar accessories showed an early recognition of the connection between cars and fashion. Fast forward a few decades, and AMC collaborated with denim maker Levi's for limited denim versions of their AMC Gremlin and Jeep models. Back in 2012, Stellantis dropped the Fiat 500 by Gucci featuring Jennifer Lopez.
"Okay, but what about F1?" You scream at me from the rafters. That's where liveries come in. Although they're not inherently made to be fashionable, each team must create a livery that fans immediately associate with that team and properly highlights their sponsors at the same time. What does that entail, then? The livery has to be unique, with bold colors that stand out from the rest. Some teams may opt to incorporate a major sponsor's logo in such a prominent way that it instantly becomes part of their identity. Think of the way the Red Bull cars make the bull such a large part of their design.
And how do fashion designers make their pieces stand out? Some do go the bold colors and designs route, a la Versace, while others make a prominent logo feature their entire identity, like Louis Vuitton or Balenciaga. Then there are those who have proudly carried the same color scheme for eons, such as Gucci's green and red combo.
Then, of course, there's the crowd at the races. The rule seems to be that the more expensive the ticket, the more extravagant the dress code. Head into the suites or The Paddock Club, and you might find it hard to distinguish between being at an F1 race and attending the New York Fashion Week. Dresses and suits that rival the prices of Honda Civics are commonplace, and when the race is over, they'll be whisked away in something that matches both their style and net worth.
It might seem like a stretch at first, but once you really start looking deeper into it, you'll recognize the inherent connection between cars and the world of fashion. Even in Formula 1, where the focus seems to be primarily on racing, this connection is more than obvious in every corner of the sport. It wouldn't be an understatement to say that the two couldn't exist without each other, as both would be a lot more dull and uninspired. The next time you're at any sort of automotive event, take a look around you and try to find the connection between the two media. You might find that it's been there the whole time.
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