F1 London Premiere Red Carpet Gives Tate McRae a Balenciaga Win

Anaïs Lukaku
Jun 29
2 min read

Updated: Jun 30

Leicester Square turned trackside on 23 June, generating viral fashion debate that now shadows Formula 1’s fast-growing style economy.

Brad Pitt, wearing a double-breasted green suit and aviator shades, stands beside Ines de Ramon in a floor-length champagne-sequin gown against the black-and-gold F1 The Movie step-and-repeat. — ***"Brad Pitt arrives in forest-green Anderson & Sheppard tailoring, joined by Ines de Ramon in a crystal halter dress." Credit: Getty Images (Jeff Spicer).***

The European launch of F1 The Movie delivered two clear headlines: Tate McRae’s sculpted Balenciaga gown drew near-unanimous praise, while Tommy Hilfiger’s crinkle-effect tailoring prompted a wave of dissent across social media. Leicester Square’s black-and-red runway echoed a pit-lane grid, yet the loudest reactions concerned fabric choice rather than engine noise; Canadian singer McRae, styled by Chloe and Chenelle Delgadillo, wore a custom strapless column in black stretch satin, finished with a sweetheart neckline, discreet pleating and a single thigh-high slit, a look Nylon called “architectural and assured.”

Tate McRae wearing a black sweetheart-neck Balenciaga gown with thigh-high slit, hands on hips, in front of the F1 The Movie backdrop. — ***"Tate McRae in custom black Balenciaga, styled by Chloe and Chenelle Delgadillo, accessorised with a Bvlgari diamond lariat." Credit: WireImage (Karwai Tang).***

Balenciaga’s Fall 2025 bustier gown provided the reference point; McRae’s version softened Demna’s silhouette and added a Bvlgari diamond lariat, positioning the 21-year-old as the event’s most photographed guest and reinforcing her transition from chart breakout to red-carpet regular. The dress has already driven a 19% uplift in Balenciaga eveningwear searches on Lyst’s UK feed compared with the previous week, according to preliminary platform data shared this morning.

If McRae supplied the high, Tommy Hilfiger produced the controversy. Model Abby Champion arrived in a crushed satin blouse and red suiting; Becky G followed in a white crinkle two-piece from the brand’s Spring 2024 line, a choice that drew 2.4 million views on Derek Guy’s critique thread within twenty-four hours. Commenters questioned the wisdom of “intentional creases” at an event celebrating speed, precision and exacting fit; defenders cited the trend’s e-commerce traction since 2019, though the premiere demonstrated the difficulty of translating runway rumple to flash photography.

Abby Champion in a red crinkled suit and white blouse stands next to Patrick Schwarzenegger in a black blazer and white trousers, both smiling on the red carpet. — ***"Abby Champion pairs Tommy Hilfiger’s crinkle-effect suit with Patrick Schwarzenegger’s navy blazer, highlighting the wrinkle-versus-polish talking point." Credit: Getty Images (Jeff Spicer).***

Motorsport references anchored the remaining looks as Brad Pitt chose an Anderson & Sheppard forest-green double-breasted tailoring, enlivened with a silk ascot and wide peak lapels, referencing the vintage paddock suiting framed through a Savile Row ease. Drivers and VIP guests leaned on racer jackets, contrast-panel leather and subtle sponsor logos, mirroring Gen Z’s appetite for “racer fashion” that blends performance cues with streetwear; TikTok tags #racerjacket and #ferrarigirl added more than 400 thousand views in the twenty-four hours following the premiere

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McRae succeeded by aligning a clear fashion narrative with brand momentum and demographic appeal, while the crinkle debate highlights ongoing friction between comfort-coded effortlessness and the polish still expected at high-profile premières.

As Formula 1 deepens its links with luxury as Louis Vuitton secures a ten-year Australian Grand Prix deal being the latest example, the sport’s fashion orbit will only widen; brands chasing the trackside spotlight may take note that speed alone will not guarantee a smooth finish.

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