At the intersection of cinema, celebrity, and motorsport, the New York City premiere of F1: The Movie became an unexpected but powerful fashion moment. While the film itself—a high-octane portrayal of Formula 1 racing starring Brad Pitt—won praise for its realism and star power, the red carpet truly stole the show. Designers, stylists, and fashion watchers are still unpacking what this event revealed about the current direction of ultra-luxury fashion.

Slick Tailoring Returns, But with Modern Twists

The premiere marked a return to power dressing, especially for men, with a modern interpretation. Brad Pitt, Lewis Hamilton, and Damson Idris all wore sharply tailored suits, but each incorporated unique, personal elements that reflect 2025’s shift away from uniformity and toward individualised styling.

• Pitt’s midnight navy suit, with black lapels, nodded to old Hollywood glamour—reliable, handsome, and understated.
• Hamilton, meanwhile, brought high fashion into play with a white Dior jacket featuring an oversized diamond brooch—a bold signal that jewellery for men is officially in.
• Idris’ pinstripe Prada suit added depth and dimension, combining Wall Street formality with runway aesthetics. His accessories from his upcoming jewellery line “DIDRIS” spoke to another major trend: fashion as brand-building.

Together, their looks emphasised a rising shift in men’s luxury fashion—tailored doesn’t mean traditional anymore. Expect to see more suits paired with ornate detailing, unique materials (like satin and tech fabric), and gender-fluid accessories throughout the year.

Femininity Reimagined: Structured Sheers & Bold Silhouettes

The women on the red carpet embraced risk, choosing looks that favoured structure, sheer textures, and bold cuts. This suggests that the red carpet is moving further from safe gowns and toward high-concept, editorial-inspired outfits.

Ines de Ramon’s baby blue sheer dress was both delicate and daring—a clear signal that transparency is still trending, but it’s being applied with softness rather than shock value. Paired with understated makeup and accessories, it struck a balance between bold and graceful.

Egle Hulkenberg’s braless blazer look exemplified the new power suit— confident and boundary-pushing. The oversized blazer trend continues, but women are styling it with increasing minimalism beneath, letting the silhouette do the talking.

Sheer layers, sharp tailoring, and lingerie-as-daywear continue to dominate, with ultra-luxury brands like Saint Laurent, Mugler, and Schiaparelli shaping the narrative.

Sneakers Go Couture

Gayle King made perhaps the most polarising choice of the night—pairing her strapless pinstripe dress with Velcro-strapped Sneex high-heeled sneaker hybrids. While traditionalists may scoff, this fusion of comfort and couture is part of a larger streetwear-meets-luxury wave. Brands like Balenciaga and Rick Owens have long blurred these lines, but now even red-carpet veterans are embracing the look. Expect more daring footwear at formal events in the coming months—function is finally having its moment.

The Rise of the Statement Watch

Luxury watches played a surprisingly prominent role on the carpet—an accessory traditionally underreported at movie premieres. Brad Pitt’s character in the film wears an IWC Ingenieur, which he subtly showcased on the carpet. George Russell followed suit with the same model, and Lando Norris wore a bold Richard Mille RM 72-01.

This suggests a renewed appreciation for horology among fashion-conscious men, particularly timepieces that speak to performance and legacy. Watches are no longer mere accessories; they become identity markers on par with fine jewellery or designer handbags.

The Overall Mood: Effortless Luxury with Personality

If one theme defined the fashion at the F1 premiere, it was intentional individuality. The looks were meticulously curated but not overdone, reflecting an ongoing trend in ultra-luxury fashion: clothing that communicates character, not just cost. Designers and stylists are moving away from logo-heavy aesthetics in favour of garments that reflect personal stories, interests, and even professions, like motorsport.

The event confirmed that fashion’s biggest runways are no longer just in Paris or Milan—they’re on Hollywood red carpets, Formula 1 paddocks, and now, cinematic premieres about speed and precision. The fusion of sports, film, and fashion is here to stay.

Written by: Christine Daoud

Published: 18th June 2025