There are few women who can pull focus in a Formula 1 paddock, but Kim Kardashian has never been one to blend into the background. And with celebrity image architect Law Roach recently coming on board as her new stylist, her race-weekend looks are giving a clear sign of where her wardrobe is headed.
The jury is still out on whether Roach personally pulled these specific trackside pieces, but the overarching shift in her style is hard to ignore. For years, Kim’s signature has been anchored in futuristic, body-con dresses and head-to-toe silhouettes that defined her Balenciaga era. But as she enters this new era with Roach, there is a distinct, renewed focus on fashion history, vintage archives, and choices that feel far less predictable.
Take her Roberto Cavalli spring/summer ‘03 dress, sourced from My Runway Archive. Bringing a runway piece from more than two decades ago into the pit lane completely changes the energy of her look. It’s proof that the most interesting wardrobes aren't always built on brand new arrivals, but on pieces that have already lived a life before reaching the paddock - much like the vintage black and gold floral sequin Yves Saint Laurent gown from Tom Ford’s autumn/winter '04 collection that Law Roach previously styled her in.
The day before, Kim arrived at the circuit in a baby pink Alaïa dress from the spring/summer ‘24 collection. Cut like a skin-tight halter leotard with a long, built in sheer skirt, the silhouette was unmistakably Alaïa. She finished it with a small, croc-embossed Hermès Kelly in a matching shade, using a silver Chrome Hearts chain to add a bit of edge.
The contrast between the two outfits is what makes this moment worth watching. The Alaïa plays into Kim’s familiar love of figure-hugging cuts, while the archival Cavalli points toward a more referential, considered approach to getting dressed.
Roach has never been interested in dressing his clients like everyone else. If her recent F1 appearances are anything to go by, Kim’s wardrobe is turning into a space to experiment with fashion’s past while keeping a clear eye on the present.
Renee Washington, Grazia's digital fashion and beauty writer, lives online. With a penchant for wispy lashes and streetwear, she writes about the worlds of fashion and beauty from the viewpoint of the modern fashion girlie.
Main Image Credit: Getty Images