Motorcore Vogue
In Vogue Italia's May 2024 edition, fashion collides thrillingly with motorsport aesthetics. Featured on the cover, Irina Shayk models an intriguing combination of haute couture and racing gear, redefining traditional fashion boundaries.
Irina Shayk photographed by Theo Liu, 2024
Feminism and Formula 1
From the beginning of the twentieth century to today, the history of fashion and that of sports, intersecting, have provided us with a snapshot of women's emancipation. The first to qualify was an Italian, Maria Teresa De Filippis: "the Devil" in 1958 had entered 5 Grand Prix races to achieve her goal. However, in France, the organizer Toto Roche did not allow her participation, arguing that "a girl like her should not use a helmet but a hairdryer." One of the last was Lella Lombardi, just under fifty years ago, but after Susie Wolff in 2015, no woman has been behind the wheel of an F1 car during a race weekend session. Today, the majority of racing suits on the market are still designed for men. Therefore, it's necessary to create a female model, starting with steps such as designing a cover that combines the recent motorcore trend with a message linked to feminism. And Irina Shayk on Vogue Italia, the protagonist of the May issue alongside Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, teaches us how to interpret motorcore in the feminine world.
Maria Teresa De Filippis
Everyone's Crazy About Motorcore
If you've recently taken a stroll through flea markets or vintage boutiques, you've probably noticed old racing jackets for sale. You might have seen them on the streets, or perhaps you already have one in your wardrobe. On social media, especially TikTok, tags related to bikercore and motorcore have millions of views. In motorcore, some of the strongest trends of spring/summer 2024 and fall/winter 2024/2025 converge: leather, sporty looks, and masculine styles. Anastasia Barbieri, who styled Formula Irina, explained to Vogue Italia how she managed to harmonize contrasting aesthetics without discord: "We shot the editorial in Maranello, and I wanted Irina Shayk's wardrobe to be inspired by sportswear, specifically racing... as if she were part of the Ferrari team! I chose racing suits, motorcycle jackets, bodysuits, and ergonomic lines, but also protective accessories like helmets, gloves, harnesses, and boots. Theo Liu - the photographer - and I wanted to highlight the supermodel's strength and safety.” Indeed, all it takes is a few key pieces—and the right attitude—to embrace the biker style.
Vogue Italia’s Cover May 2024
On the cover, Irina Shayk wears a trench coat and a scarf from Dolce&Gabbana paired with Alpinestars motorcycle boots, while holding a first aid kit in her hand. The shots taken were indeed numerous and truly beautiful, and perhaps the cover may have deserved a more impactful shot than this. Here, Irina almost portrays a nurse ready to hit the track, perhaps to save some drivers. Compositionally, the cover is very balanced; however, the horizontal placement of the traffic light distracts attention from the cover's main focus, who should be Irina.
Courtesy of Vogue
This edition of Vogue Italia captures a bold intersection of fashion and motorsport, blending traditional boundaries with fresh style. With Irina Shayk leading the way, it showcases a powerful fusion of aesthetics and empowerment. As fashion embraces diverse influences, it continues to be a dynamic platform for expression and change.
