- Lewis Hamilton Issues Powerful Statement After… read more
Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion and global icon, has added yet another milestone to his illustrious career—not on the track this time, but on the red carpet. On Monday night, Hamilton co-chaired the 2025 Met Gala alongside fashion titan Anna Wintour, musician Pharrell Williams, actor Colman Domingo, and rapper A$AP Rocky. The prestigious event, held annually at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, celebrated the history and influence of Black fashion and dandyism, a style movement characterized by flamboyant elegance and self-expression rooted in Black culture and resistance.
Hamilton, known as much for his advocacy and style as for his racing prowess, used his platform at the Met Gala to amplify the importance of honoring Black heritage in fashion. He wore an ivory ensemble designed by English-Jamaican designer Grace Wales Bonner, with whom he collaborated over several months. The outfit featured a cropped jacket, high-waisted trousers, coattails, and a white Stephen Jones Millinery beret. Each element of the attire was rich in meaning and symbolism, drawing from African cultural references and spiritual elements that reflect both tradition and modern elegance.
On social media, Hamilton penned a heartfelt and powerful statement about what the moment meant to him. “It’s hard to put into words what it means to co-chair this year’s Met,” the Ferrari driver wrote on Instagram. “This year’s theme speaks to royalty, spirituality, and the sacred power of adornment. Materials like ivory and cowrie aren’t just beautiful—they carry ancestral memory. They are markers of identity, protection, and reverence.”
The star continued by expressing his gratitude to those involved in the creation and realization of the moment, particularly giving thanks to the Costume Institute at The Met and Grace Wales Bonner. “I’m deeply grateful to the Costume Institute at The Met, to Grace Wales Bonner, to the incredible co-chairs, and to everyone who continues to honor the legacy of the Black Dandy,” he said. “We’ve always been here. We’ve always been fly. And now, we’re seen.”
The choice to work with Wales Bonner was deliberate and deeply personal for Hamilton. He revealed that the process of developing the look took months of planning, research, and detailed work, in collaboration with his longtime stylist Eric McNeal. “From the moment I heard the theme of this year’s Met Gala, I knew I wanted to work with Grace Wales Bonner,” Hamilton shared. “This look has taken months of research and development. Every detail has been deeply considered—there’s a lot of emotion and meaning woven into this. This is more than a suit, this is ancestral history. Stylish, spiritual, and sharp. Thank you, Grace.”
Wales Bonner, a renowned designer known for fusing European tailoring with African aesthetics and storytelling, spoke about the significance of the materials used in Hamilton’s look. “There are stories told through jewel adornments and special trims, with symbolism in baobab flower motifs and natural materials like cowrie shells and mother-of-pearl buttons,” she explained. One standout feature was the sash adorned with cowrie shells, historically used across African cultures as symbols of wealth, spirituality, and protection. Hamilton’s cufflinks were shaped like Whirligig African Daisies—another nod to the ancestral symbolism running through the ensemble.
The ensemble was not just fashion—it was a living tribute to heritage. Dandyism, the theme of the evening, is a historically Black style movement that challenges Western fashion norms by embracing exuberance, color, and symbolism. It originated during periods when Black men were denied social and political power and used clothing as a powerful form of expression and rebellion. By channeling this rich history into his Met Gala appearance, Hamilton not only celebrated his heritage but also helped bring it into the global spotlight.
Lewis Hamilton’s presence and powerful statement at the 2025 Met Gala mark a moment of deep cultural significance. Known for breaking barriers in motorsport as the only Black driver to ever win a Formula 1 championship, Hamilton continues to use his voice and visibility to highlight underrepresented stories in fashion, culture, and history. His Met Gala appearance was not just about style—it was about identity, pride, and honoring those who paved the way. In doing so, Hamilton reminded the world that fashion can be more than aesthetics; it can be a bridge between past and present, a celebration of resilience, and a platform for truth.
