Fashion
Molly Elizabeth Agnew Talks F1 Fashion, Stylists & F1 Academy
Sports journalist Molly Elizabeth Agnew breaks down F1 style, athlete branding, and how F1 Academy is changing the game for women in racing.
If you follow fashion in Formula 1, you’ve likely come across the work of Molly Elizabeth Agnew. The Vogue-featured journalist is known for covering the evolving relationship between sports, fashion, and identity - from the rise of beauty partnerships in motorsport to the stylists shaping how athletes show up off the track.
In this episode of The Sweet Take, Molly joins Milkshake to unpack F1 fashion, her favourite athlete collaborations, and why the F1 Academy deserves your attention.
Watch the full interview on YouTube or listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to catch every juicy detail!
How F1 and Fashion Collide
Molly started as a traditional fashion journalist covering runway shows and red carpets. But growing up in a motorsport family, she saw an opportunity to merge her two worlds.
“I found a way to sneak fashion into sports and sports into fashion,” she says. And it’s paying off—her pieces for Vogue have spotlighted everything from Charlotte Tilbury’s partnership with F1 Academy to stylists in the WNBA.
Are F1 Drivers Styled? Yes—and Here’s How
While fans may assume drivers like Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc pick their looks, the reality is most of the F1 grid works with stylists - especially for photo calls and Thursday arrivals.
“A good stylist is quiet with it,” Molly says. “You don’t look at the outfit and think ‘that’s a stylist.’ It just feels authentic.”
She names Zhou Guanyu and Yuki Tsunoda as two of the most underrated dressers in F1, praising their subtlety and authenticity.
Best-Dressed Drivers on the Grid in 2025
- Lewis Hamilton (forever the icon)
- Zhou Guanyu (quietly cool)
- Yuki Tsunoda (tailored and evolving)
Molly even jokes that the one trend that needs to retire? “Max Verstappen’s skinny jeans.”
What Brands Are Winning (and Missing) in F1 Fashion
Some brands are deeply integrated into F1 - think Tommy Hilfiger x Mercedes or Puma x Ferrari - but Molly believes many are missing the mark with female fans.
“We’re 43% of the fan base, and rising. There’s still barely anything on the market that speaks to us.”
She highlights Alo Yoga, Rhode, and Meshki as brands doing it right - partnering with WAGs like Carmen Montero and Alexandra Saint Mleux to create visibility through smart, indirect marketing.
Limited-Edition Collabs: Hit or Hype?
Recent fashion drops like OVO x Red Bull, RHUDE x Pirelli, and Duke + Dexter x Alpine all follow a similar formula: oversized tees, caps, and varsity jackets.
While the price points vary, Molly critiques the lack of creativity and inclusivity. “These drops feel very male-focused. Where are the designs for women? Where’s the freshness?”
Why the F1 Academy Matters
Molly’s most passionate project? Covering the F1 Academy, where drivers like Abbi Pulling and Ella Lloyd are getting long-overdue attention.
“It’s not a separate women’s league - it’s a feeder series to integrate women into top-tier motorsport,” she explains. “That’s what people often misunderstand.”
Her father - a traditional motorsport fan - became an F1 Academy convert after watching Abbi win at Miami. “Now he texts me updates before I even see them. That’s impact.”
Final Thoughts on Fashion in Sport
In our Checkered Confessions lightning round, Molly drops some heat:
- Most exciting collab? Aries x Arsenal
- Dream Vogue shoot? Paige Bueckers in couture
- Trend to retire? You already know - the jeans
Why This Matters
Molly Elizabeth Agnew is helping reshape the conversation around fashion in motorsport. Her work brings nuance, visibility, and a much-needed feminine gaze to a space still finding its style.
As F1’s female fan base grows, voices like Molly’s are leading the way - not just documenting the moment, but defining the aesthetic of a new era.
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