British actor Damson Idris made a bold arrival at the .

The 33-year-old star, who has been in , Doctors, Casualty and other dramas, rocked up wearing racing suit, accessorised with a red, white and blue helmet featuring 20,000 Swarovski crystals. He also arrived in a APXGP racing car, while most of the other attendees in New York City were seen pulling up in black SUVs.

It is because Damson, who was born in Peckham, southeast London, is set to star in blockbuster F1 later this year. He has already filmed scenes for the Warner Bros Pictures movie, which will also star Brad Pitt, and will tell the tale of Sonny Hayes, a Formula One driver who has to retire following a crash.

has teamed up with the film ahead of its release. Damson, who last year , became the clothing brand's menswear ambassador in April 2023.

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A Hilfiger spokesperson said: "We’re excited to partner with the highly anticipated film, F1. Damson Idris stars as Joshua Pierce, a driver for the fictional APXGP team, and we wanted his Met Gala entrance to reflect the same cinematic energy."

Both the racing driver getup and Damson's second costume - a rouge tuxedo - were emblazoned with the Hilfiger logo. The trousers included a side satin stripe and slight flare, a nod to "modern dandyism" and the theme of this year’s Costume Institute exhibition, "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style." The young actor accessorised the look with a bespoke brooch and jewellery from his personal brand Didris.

"The Met is all about making a statement, and the reveal was everything: stepping out of the suit to unveil a sharp, tailored tuxedo in Tommy tartan — seamlessly shifting from high-octane to high fashion. From start line to spotlight, it captured the essence of both worlds," the Hilfiger statement added.

Joseph Kosinski, of Top Gun: Maverick fame, directs F1, which sees Brad portray the lead character. Damson has a large supporting role, as does Irish actress Kerry Condon, best known for starring in 2022 film The Banshees of Inisherin.

Held on the first Monday of May each year, the Met Gala - the annual haute couture fundraising festival - is for fashion fans. Guests' attempts at following the theme (or failing miserably) are scrutinised by sartorial critics worldwide, with men who turn up in boring black tuxedos often taking a bashing online.

Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour along with actor Colman Domingo, F1 driver , rapper A$AP Rocky, musician-turned-fashion-mogul Pharrell Williams and honorary chair LeBron James co-chaired the event this year.