Lewis Hamilton at The Fashion Awards 2023

Stylist: Eric McNeal
Outfit: Wales Bonner
Shoes: Christian Louboutin
Sunglasses: Bottega Veneta

Awards season is now behind us and you can believe me when I say that I am diligently collecting information in order to bring you the best articles in the future.

What I’d like to emphasize is the fact that some professionals need to be monitored constantly (during this period specifically but also on average) because their work is mainly shown on Instagram stories and unless I do it, I’ll never be able to find out if they worked on someone or not.

Sometimes they work on so many people that they forget and even asking them for a confirmation ends up being a dead end. That’s why I’ll may be slow in putting out new pieces of writing in the next few days, so bear with me.

As always, I tried to stay away from the Oscars by writing about someone who did not attend but whose sense of style is on another level in the men’s department: Lewis Hamilton.

Case in point? The Fashion Awards 2023.

Hamilton wore a Wales Bonner cream long jacket from the Spring-Summer 2024 collection complete with long white pants and a white crewneck.

He also wore jewelry from the brand and pinned a ceremonial brooch on his left lapel that was part of the Wales Bonner Archive.

The F1 pilot paired the look with what seem to be Christian Louboutin black Alleo ankle boots with square toe and geometric heel and he further accessorized the look with a pair of Bottega Veneta metal-frame sunglasses in a geometric aviator-inspired shape.

I am not exactly sure about the lenses because of the contrast with Lewis‘ skin, but I am certain about the model.

What I find fascinating about Wales Bonner is the fact that she uses her mixed-race heritage as a key reference in her collections. Her work explores representations of black male sexuality and identity, so it’s not a surprise to see someone like Lewis Hamilton be excited and intrigued to be dressed by such a designer.

Add to it that Lewis is mixed-race himself, so he clearly empathizes with her struggles to make it in the elitist world of fashion as well as in society altogether.

The craftsmanship and the quality of Bonner‘s work is outstanding–she is a woman truly worth supporting. Just take a peek at her Vogue Runway archive and see it for yourself.

I went above and beyond to find out who worked on his skin and hair and I am not even sure there ever was someone, so I’ll keep on searching, but it could also be that he did not require the services of a groomer or hairstylist.

The Black heartthrob was styled by Eric McNeal, a frequent collaborator of his.

I imagine that working with someone so stylish and so invested in fashion can be very easy but also very difficult at the same time, because you want to do the work but you also want to impress your client who surely has things to point out, someone very opinionated.

I also think that it makes you grow because you are constantly challenged and it elevates your work because it doesn’t let you settle. That’s why I appreciate and closely observe relationships like these, they subconsciously teach you something.

And as many of you know, in my eyes, McNeal‘s editorial background is also a huge point in his favor.

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The Fashion Awards is a fundraiser for the BFC Foundation and focuses on celebrating excellence in the fashion industry and supporting the future pipeline of creative talent.

The BFC Foundation supports the future growth and success of the British fashion industry by focusing on three areas: Education, Grant-Giving & Business Mentoring and the Institute of Positive Fashion.

The BFC Foundation aims to improve equality and opportunity so that the fashion industry remains diverse and open to all, helping talented designers at all stages of their career from school level through to becoming a global fashion brand.

The 2023’s edition was presented by Pandora and it took place on Monday 4th December 2023, returning to the iconic London venue, the Royal Albert Hall.