words by Carol King Italian fashion brands Gucci and Salvatore Ferragamo have recreated the 1970s’ glamour look for Oscar-winning American director Ron Howard’s upcoming biographical action film about the golden age of Formula One, ‘Rush’. The movie tells the story of two of motor racing’s biggest rivals: handsome English playboy James Hunt and his methodical yet brilliant opponent, Austrian perfectionist Niki Lauda. ‘Rush’ focuses on their rivalry during the 1976 Formula One season when, after a crash at the German Grand Prix that left Lauda with facial burns, he returned to the racetrack to battle Hunt in the World Championship. Chris Hemsworth plays Hunt and Daniel Brühl plays Lauda. ‘Rush’ follows their lives on and off the racetrack, as they push themselves to the breaking point of physical and psychological endurance to pursue victory in a sport where there is no margin for error. ‘Rush’ cast members evoke the period in belted coats over flared trousers and fur-trimmed coats paired with knee-high boots. The characters of Hunt and Miller wear costumes from the Gucci archive. Gucci’s creative director Frida Giannini told ‘Women’s Wear Daily’: “The ‘70s has always been a decade that has inspired me greatly, so it was extremely exciting to be asked by Ron Howard to help design wardrobes for ‘Rush’. It is hard to think of a more glamorous profession than being a racing driver in the ‘70s. James Hunt’s style is full of animal sensuality, perfectly brought out by Hemsworth in the period-evoking outfits." Giannini noted that the style of Hunt’s wife, Suzy Miller, played by Olivia Wilde, is "the essence of Gucci as it captures the mixture of sexy allure and innocent naturalness that defined the style of the time.” Salvatore Ferragamo has created the costumes for Lauda and his wife, Marlene Knaus, played by Alexandra Maria Lara. Salvatore Ferragamo’s creative director, Massimiliano Giornetti, told ‘Women’s Wear Daily’: “I created Niki Lauda’s character’s wardrobe for the film with his most distinctive traits in mind, an extremely determined sportsman, obsessed with perfection, never leaving anything to chance, whether it be a strategic move or a stylistic detail. To reflect his strong and unyielding character, I chose exclusive fabrics, clean cuts and sharp forms for his clothes: from impeccably tailored fitted Prince of Wales jackets to short suede jackets with leather trim combined with denim.” ‘Rush’ premiered at the Odeon Leicester Square in London, England on 2 September. The film opens on 13 September.
