Levi’s links with McLaren Racing as Hilfiger launches Mercedes capsule

Global denim brand Levi’s has linked up with an iconic brand in British motor racing with the pair emphasising both their long histories and reputations for innovation in their respective fields.

So the new Levi’s x McLaren Racing Collection is said to represent “the best of heritage and innovation”.

It’s been timed to launch just a few days before the British Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit and debuts worldwide on 3 July in select Levi’s stores and via its webstore.

Brands have increasingly linked with the world of motor racing and this month Tommy Hilfiger has also launched a collection in a link with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team (more of that later).

Back with Levi’s-McLaren, the collection features a Racing Jacket, Racing Suit, Racing Gloves, Heritage Trucker, Heritage 501 Jeans, Constructors Tee, and a Racing Bandana. 

It’s inspired by “the spirit of McLaren Racing’s vintage-era”, with the cropped and boxy fit Racking Jacket featuring a chain stitch embroidery logo on the back and twill taping at cuff and hem. It comes in a light wash with a satin liner and an embossed veg tan leather co-branded patch.

The Racing Suit is in the same light wash with a slight drop crotch and a roomy fit with a straight leg. There are “vintage-inspired” patches and a crackle print down the right leg, plus the same co-branded patch, and a veg tan leather zipper.

In a first for the Heritage 501 Jeans, it’s replaced the left back pocket with a shadow pocket featuring the crackle print as well as a red tape welt zipper pocket at the top. To “honour the McLaren Racing heritage”, the jeans feature vintage-inspired patches and a red co-branded back patch. 

The Constructors Tee features a printed front graphic of a 1980s era McLaren race car. 

As for the Hilfifer-Mercedes collab, it’s a limited-edition capsule in a collaboration that also includes New York City-based artist, author and designer Clarence Ruth.

The collaboration “gives Ruth the wheel”, allowing him to share his interpretation of Hilfiger’s style and “merge it with the bold innovation that comes from the world of Mercedes-AMG F1”.

It launched at the Barcelona Grand Prix at the weekend and was worn by team drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.

The 10-piece motorsport-inspired lifestyle collection “is infused with heritage and shaped by the future”.

There’s a colour-blocked varsity jacket, embroidered chino pants and soccer jerseys featuring the drivers’ racing numbers. A care label-inspired print resembling the dashboard of an F1 car is spotlighted on a T-Shirt while an all-new ice-hockey jersey joined the lineup of fashion-meets-sports silhouettes.