Yohji Yamamoto has brought back his Beast Pack for Mercedes Y-3 has revived the animal patterns first seen in 2006
History repeats itself. An expression that highlights how events tend to recur over time. Fashion is probably the field where this theory finds the strongest confirmation. Design, colors, shapes and inspiration return in cycles. The latest example is tied to the Y-3 collection created in collaboration with adidas for Mercedes ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, the next round of the 2026 season of Formula 1. The line was unveiled in January during Paris Fashion Week, with models on the runway previewing the pieces a few weeks before the photo shoot starring Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, as well as, surprisingly, Team Principal Toto Wolff.
The key element of this collection is the revival of one of the most iconic experiments ever carried out by Yohji Yamamoto for Y-3. Jerseys and jackets, as well as a bold balaclava, are decorated with an animalistic pattern. A wolf, more precisely, recreated on the front or on the back depending on the garment. It’s a dive into the past for Yamamoto, who presented a similar aesthetic back in 2006, when he recreated a series of animal patterns on the +F50 Tunit model: lion, dragon, eagle and wolf, giving life to the so-called “Beast Pack.” Today those patterns are making a comeback and, just like in 2006, they burst onto the scene on the eve of the World Cup, creating a surprising intersection between football and Formula 1.
This collection serves as a preview of the highly anticipated Y-3 Formula 1 race suit for Mercedes, the first ever designed by Yohji Yamamoto, which will debut soon in Japan. It’s proof of adidas’ unwavering confidence in its partnership with Mercedes, aiming to leverage Formula 1’s global exposure to redefine its image: no longer just sportswear, but a true lifestyle brand. Last season already saw a collaboration with Bad Bunny, while Kimi Antonelli had anticipated Y-3’s arrival in the paddock by wearing a jacket at the Brazilian Grand Prix. Now, this new chapter marks another attempt by adidas and Y-3 to revolutionize the aesthetics of Formula 1.
