The hidden symbolism in Lewis Hamilton’s Met Gala look

Lewis Hamilton is among the few celebrities who consistently adhere to the Met Gala theme, and 2025 was no different. Less than 24 hours after the Miami Grand Prix, Hamilton made his co-chairing debut on fashion’s biggest night while wearing a custom Wales Bonner outfit. 

He teamed up with the designer on an ivory suit featuring a cropped jacket, matching trousers with a tuxedo stripe, coattails, a white bow tie, and an embroidered sash which hung from the waistband. He accessorized with a beret by Stephen Jones Millinery.

“We brought together a range of influences, from Barkley L. Hendricks paintings to Black spiritual dressing to some of the brand’s craft signatures,” Wales Bonner told Vogue. “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.” 

Lewis Hamilton, accessory detail for his outfit specially put together for the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” at Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Photo by: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Hamilton told the outlet he spent months working on the look with his longtime stylist, Eric McNeal, to adhere to the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme’s “Tailored for You” dress code. “We’re both very thoughtful and intentional when it comes to fashion, and I hope that everyone else attending is compelled to really research and think deeply about what they’re wearing,” he said. In true Hamilton fashion, no detail was spared when it came to the symbolism-heavy look. “We spent three months on research and two months bringing it to life. Nothing about it was rushed,” McNeal explained. “So much care went into this look. What makes it special is that it’s not just about fashion—it’s about meaning.”

McNeal said he was inspired by the Harlem Renaissance and jazz singer Cab Calloway who “used clothing to express confidence, charm, and something entirely new.” He added, “Lewis really wanted there to be a reason and a story behind every detail.” Hamilton’s sash was adorned with cowrie shells – a protective talisman in African culture – while some of his jewelry and baobab-inspired brooches contained garnets, which were a reference to the January birthstone. 

Even his cuff links, which were shaped like the Whirligig African Daisy, were packed with symbolism. “[They] felt like a beautiful metaphor for growth, memory, and African heritage,” McNeal said.

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