Forty-six emerging designers have transformed McLaren’s six-decade Formula 1 history into 12 original fashion looks, bringing the world of motorsport from the racetrack to the runway.
Formula 1 and fashion are becoming increasingly intertwined, and McLaren is taking that relationship a step further with its latest creative project, Designed to Race.
Created by the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team in collaboration with Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, the campaign sees 46 students from the MA Fashion course reinterpret defining moments from McLaren’s racing history through contemporary fashion.
Working in 12 groups, the students were challenged to create complete concept looks inspired by different eras of McLaren, spanning from the bold colours and distinctive silhouettes of the 1970s to the team’s modern-day Papaya era.
From Formula 1 History to Fashion
The project explores the unexpected relationship between motorsport, fashion and design, with students drawing inspiration from some of the most recognisable moments in McLaren’s history.
Some looks reference the distinctive styles of legendary drivers, including James Hunt’s relaxed approach to wearing racing overalls and Ayrton Senna’s instantly recognisable bright yellow helmet.
Others look beyond the drivers themselves, taking inspiration from McLaren’s championship-winning cars, iconic liveries and the engineering principles that underpin Formula 1.
Materials, construction techniques and aerodynamic forms have all been reimagined as fashion pieces, creating a visual connection between the technical precision of motorsport and the creative expression of fashion design.
Technology Meets Fashion Design
The students were also supported by McLaren partner Dell Technologies, which provided new XPS laptops to help them research, develop and refine their concepts throughout the project.
The collaboration reflects a shared approach between fashion and motorsport, where experimentation, precision and attention to detail are central to the creative process.
From the construction of a race car to the creation of a garment, every element needs to be carefully considered – from materials and textures to structure and silhouette.
Louise McEwen, Chief Marketing Officer at McLaren Racing, said the relationship between Formula 1 and wider culture is continuing to grow, with fans increasingly engaging with the sport through areas including fashion, music, design and social media.
“Designed to Race explores that cultural influence through the eyes of the next generation of creative talent,” said McEwen.
She added that working with Central Saint Martins has helped showcase the connections between fashion and racing while offering a fresh interpretation of McLaren’s history.
McLaren Fashion Show Ahead of London Fashion Week
The collaboration will culminate in an exclusive fashion show at the McLaren Technology Centre ahead of London Fashion Week.
Titled Designed to Race: Front Row, the event will see the 12 student-created looks presented alongside selected pieces from McLaren’s history, transforming the home of the Formula 1 team into a runway for one evening.
Fabio Piras, Course Leader for MA Fashion at Central Saint Martins, said the project gave students the opportunity to apply their creativity within a real-world setting while working with a major global sporting brand.
He also highlighted the opportunity for students to collaborate across disciplines, develop their creative practices and explore how design can connect seemingly different worlds.
When Is Designed to Race: Front Row?
Designed to Race: Front Row will take place on Wednesday 16 September 2026 at the McLaren Technology Centre, ahead of London Fashion Week.
A limited number of tickets will be made available through a competition via the McLaren Racing Club, giving fans the chance to see the collection in person.
With 12 looks, 46 designers and six decades of racing history providing the inspiration, Designed to Race offers a fresh perspective on McLaren’s influence far beyond the Formula 1 circuit.
For more on the team and its latest projects, visit the official McLaren Racing website and discover more about Central Saint Martins.
