Clarence Ruth has been commissioned by Mercedes and Tommy Hilfiger to design a special collection after winning the brand’s New Legacy Challenge competition.
This week at New York Fashion Week, Ruth made his debut with a motorsports-inspired collection. A long-time Formula 1 fan, Ruth was selected to create a 10-piece collection for Mercedes and Tommy Hilfiger after winning the New Legacy Challenge.
Speaking to Motorsport, Ruth said, “As a fan of both Formula 1 and Tommy Hilfiger, this collaboration feels like a dream come true. Tommy Hilfiger is the brand that inspired me to step into the world of fashion.”
The collection, which combines Hilfiger’s style with Mercedes’ cutting-edge vision, includes football jerseys and rugby shirts adorned with logos reminiscent of F1 car dashboards. The campaign, released ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, features both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.
Ruth expressed his excitement about working with seven-time world champion Hamilton, who has revolutionized paddock fashion with his unique style.
“Hamilton is very passionate about fashion. I admire his discipline,” Ruth said. “He’s an extraordinary driver, and he knows how to leverage his fame off the track. You don’t see many people who can do that at his level.”
Since joining Mercedes in 2013, Hamilton has built strong relationships with the team’s partners, becoming the face of brands like Tommy Hilfiger and watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen.
Ruth added, “I think Hamilton could take this luxury space to Ferrari as well. I’m not comparing it to what he’s done with Tommy, but I believe he will attract a different fashion audience.”
“The relationship between sports and fashion has been going on for a long time,” Ruth continued. “Unique collaborations, like ours or A$AP Rocky’s work with Puma, will continue to inspire people.”
Ruth revealed that he fell in love with motorsports while riding his bike in Florida, and now aims to incorporate motorcore elements into his designs, from leather jackets to knee pads.
“I draw a lot of inspiration from motorsports, especially uniforms. For us, it’s all about approaching our designs as if they are uniforms. It’s all about functionality,” Ruth explained.
