The collaboration between Tommy Hilfiger and Lewis Hamilton is an ode to sportswear

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.

The seven-time Formula 1 world champion told us about his extraordinary relationship with Tommy Hilfiger, "from the beginning, the five collections we created to announce the partnership remain a unique moment, it was an exciting, energizing and fun period, because I had the opportunity to work with the stylists and designers behind the product, asking questions and staying curious." And how this latest collaboration makes him particularly proud, "I had the opportunity to meet this icon, Tommy, who allowed me to come on board, to have this experience as if it were a fashion internship. I learned a lot about the brand, the voice of inclusivity, and I reconnected with pop culture and working with different talents that you don't always see in brands." Especially for the importance of showcasing up-and-coming talents like Clarence Ruth, creative director of Cotte d'Armes. "It's really nice to see Clarence, who is a very talented individual but also a very kind and humble human being, and we are proud to see his work and the opportunity he has had and to wear his pieces. I think it's fantastic to have different perspectives and points of view, Tommy's logo, his logo, incorporating all the elements and values of these brands and I think he did a great job."

Clarence Ruth was the winner of the 2022 Tommy Hilfiger New Legacy Challenge, "the New Legacy Challenge is a competition organized by the Tommy Hilfiger People's Place program and Harlem Fashion Row for emerging designers and the winner of the competition received support and assistance from the Tommy Hilfiger team. I was lucky to have won, it was the first competition of this caliber and it was a privilege to work with the Tommy team." Ruth's brand aesthetic has always been heavily inspired by motorsport, "my brand's logo is heavily influenced by motorsport. It has always been the inspiration for my brand, I myself often ride motorcycles. And I like the simple practicality of motorsport and the uniform that is worn, every detail you find is there for a reason, right? In GP motorcycle racing, there are certain protections and sliders on the knees that protect for a reason. The same goes for Formula 1: the uniform helps cool the body, the fabric is breathable, to help cool the body inside the car that heats up a lot." Ruth's work found the perfect spokesperson in Lewis Hamilton, one of the most fashion-conscious athletes and interested in social issues, as well as being one of the designer's personal idols.

"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."