EXCLUSIVE: Doni Nahmias on the new NAHMIAS x Formula 1 collection

Doni Nahmias’ eponymous brand currently sits at the apex of streetwear-inspired fashion – which is appropriate really, since NAHMIAS have just teamed up with Formula 1 for a unique collection.

Launched ahead of the 2026 Miami Grand Prix – and using no less than three-time World Champion Sir Jackie Stewart as a model – the NAHMIAS x Formula 1 collection pays homage to vintage racing wear, but channelled through the lens of the NAHMIAS brand that’s often seen sported by drivers in the F1 paddock, not least by Ferrari’s fashion focused driver pairing of Charles Leclerc and Sir Lewis Hamilton.

In this exclusive interview with F1.com, NAHMIAS founder and Creative Director Doni Nahmias gives us the skinny on how the collaboration with Formula 1 came about, his friendship with Leclerc, and why he’s always been a petrolhead.

Doni, your brand NAHMIAS is so hot right now, so I’m sure you could have worked with a lot of brands. How did the collaboration with F1 come about – and what made you say 'yes' to this when I'm sure a lot of people were trying to work with you?

When the opportunity came up, I was super excited just because we've always been kind of aligned with sports – and Formula 1 is probably the most fascinating one of all of them. I think it's just such a nostalgic environment, and the energy is amazing.

So just to align with all the heritage behind Formula 1 and being able to create a collection around it was just like a no-brainer for me. It's just so inspiring.

I suppose for a designer, Formula 1 is good in that it spans a large history of menswear from 1950 all the way to now. So what were the reference points for your collection?

I just wanted to figure out the really key inspirations that I was influenced by in Formula 1, whether it was vintage jackets that drivers used to wear or the racesuits, all the sponsorship partners – and just taking all those influences and recreating it into the NAHMIAS world and how I would design something. Just basically reinterpreting the language of Formula 1 into the language of NAHMIAS to find that perfect balance.

Out of interest, did you consider doing racing overalls as part of the collection?

I wanted to do a one-piece thing! That would have been awesome for editorial, but we have the season to continue to create new stuff. So I think this was a good start, and now I can press the gas, push the boundaries a little more and do some fun stuff.

The suede jacket in the collection made me think of those 1980s Rothmans Porsche overalls, was that a reference?

Not that specifically. But just going through really vintage, classic sportswear jackets and seeing how I could reimagine it in new materials and new branding. And the main thing, too, is just updating the cuts and the patterns, like how something's worn on body. It's just maybe a bit more volume, a little more cropped and just bringing more modern and new cuts into the pieces also.

For example, on the 'sketch' T-shirt, it's cropped a bit, a little more boxy. We made it super vintage and washed out. There's little grindings and distressings into it. And then just using our playful language of the coloured pencil and drawing style, we just literally drew it in the studio. We just wanted to create something very playful and new.

And you also chose to unveil this collection with a legend of the sport, Sir Jackie Stewart.

He is iconic. He's such a legend. He was such a perfect alignment because through his race career, he's always kind of had his own fashion look and statement. He's so iconic in that space. So being able to work with him and reinterpret his world and our world and shoot with him on his property and just kind of bring our language into it, it just felt like the perfect match.

He's just such a cool guy and the perfect face for what we wanted – and also we were able to donate some of the proceeds to Race Against Dementia to support him. It was just a really nice way to come together. One, to support him and his wife in their fight against dementia, and then just to do something so cool in this space and something so out of the ordinary too.

It reminded me of when Ringo Starr wore the Marty Supreme jacket that you created for the promotion of that movie – a nice juxtaposition.

Totally. I love the way these opposites attract. I could tell at first for Jackie it was a little out of the ordinary because it was new fits he wasn't used to, but then I think he started to feel more comfortable and almost like he was feeling excited about it all.

Talk to me about yours and the brand’s relationship with Charles Leclerc, because I suppose he's been the most prominent NAHMIAS supporter in F1 [NAHMIAS even sponsored Leclerc’s younger brother Arthur for a time]. When did you first meet him?

Yeah, I love Charles, I think he's the greatest human on this planet. He's the nicest, most charming, genuine guy; I have nothing but the best things to say about him. I met him, I think, about six years ago in Monaco. It was very early on in his career. I knew nothing at the time about Formula 1, so he really put me on and attracted me into the sport.

He's been a big supporter; he loves the brand, he loves fashion, and having his support is just super special too, just because of who he is and what he brings to this maze [Doni gestures towards the paddock] and just what he does for everyone really. He's literally one of a kind – and just the fact that he loves the brand and loves the clothes and supports us is just like… I'm super thankful.

And style-wise, who are the other drivers in the paddock you admire?

Well Lewis [Hamilton], he's a big supporter of the brand, he wears it often. And I love how much he pushes the boundaries with fashion. Like, he really goes outside the box with putting his outfits together. So that impresses me. Otherwise, I think all the drivers have their own charisma and swagger to them. They're all these young, charming kids, and they all have their own sense of style.

Away from F1, you're a California guy, and you grew up more immersed in the skate, surf and music culture. But Cali's got a big car culture as well – so I was wondering, are you a petrolhead?

Well, when I'm rich, I'll have cars! I definitely plan to collect. I think cars are just fascinating, and just so cool and beautiful. Especially like vintage cars – even trucks and the older race cars. But I definitely want a Ferrari 488 Pista for my collection. I’d just have to be mature about how I drive it…

And finally, I just wanted to ask what's next for NAHMIAS. You returned to Paris Fashion Week earlier this year – but what’s the next big project?

There's a really special one in the works, but that is… I can't speak on it, but it's coming in January [2027]. We'll have our next runway show in Paris in January, so we're working on the new collection for that. I'm kind of being very extra particular right now on what our next moves are – just navigating it and being patient.

Doni Nahmias’ top picks from the NAHMIAS X Formula 1 collection

“I love this. Initially, it was the black one I preferred. It was just classic, and I thought it was so cool, but once we shot Jackie in this one, I was like, oh, this is the one. It's such a hero piece of the collection.”

“This is the most beautiful jacket in the collection. You can't tell from the photos, but it's suede. Everything's patched and embroidered. The fit and the cut is awesome, and all the attention to detail. This is really special.”

“For me, I always wear hats, and I've had trouble in general getting a hat that I like the fit of in the racing space. But now we have such a good-fitting trucker hat to offer for the fans.”

“I love the waffle thermal – it's kind of like the long sleeve that they wear under their racesuit, so I wanted to reinterpret that with our own branding. I love that piece.”