Fresh from his win at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Lewis Hamilton has added to the buzz with a new fashion role and collaboration.
Known for his love of style and carefully curated outfits regularly seen trackside at Formula 1 venues around the world, Hamilton has now extended that passion to a new role and collection with esteemed French fashion house Dior.
The seven-time Formula One world champion has just been announced as Dior’s latest men’s ambassador, a gig that also sees Hamilton teaming up with friend and fashion collaborator Kim Jones to guest design a fashion collection, arriving this October.
Surprisingly, given the star is more well known for his driving expertise, most often in warmer climates, the collection is based around ‘winter lifestyle’ – embracing the great outdoors and cold-weather sports such as skiing and snowboarding. He’s also worked with Jones to draw on colours and materials of Africa to infuse each design.
The result is a chic and surprising collection of pieces that make the most of colour and texture while taking careful consideration to embrace sustainability, using partly organic and recycled materials. The range spans casual suiting in traditional Dior tweeds as well as new African weaves – created by artisanal weavers in Burkina Fasso – offset against slouchy denim, knits, sweats and fleeces. There are technical ski jackets and even a snowboard, helmet and wraparound goggles.
Hamilton says through he is known for his skills on a racetrack, in his downtime he is a fan of adventure sports and the great outdoors, so was ‘honoured’ when Jones approached him about the collection.
“Focusing on conscious choices and pushing boundaries with each piece, while merging my roots in Africa – drawing from their fabrics and believing in natural materials, as well as vibrant colours and powerful energy – has been so inspiring,” Hamilton says.
“I hope people everywhere feel good in these garments we designed so carefully,” he says.
Jones said it was easy to align with his friend on the project given their ‘shared values’.
“We share a love of nature, a desire to celebrate Africa and an interest in the artisanal process and techniques that unite craftspeople in Africa with the savoir-fair of the Dior atelier,” says Jones. “Added to that, this collection also reflects Lewis’ sporting side, his virtuosity and our functionality.”
The collection lands in stores and at dior.com from October 17.
