McLaren Teams Up with Central Saint Martins in One-Of-A-Kind Fashion Collaboration
Pulling up to the London-based atelier to curate 12 looks inspired by its motorsport history.
McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team is delving deeper into the world of fashion through a new collaboration with Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London.
The creative project, which kicked off earlier this year, saw the team task a cohort of MA Fashion students to reinterpret its 63-year heritage in a collection of runway looks. By turning the spotlight to the next generation of designers, seamstresses, and material technicians, it aims to look beyond streetwear and high-fashion drops typical in motorsport culture today to explore how racing history can serve as a source of inspiration in classrooms.
For the starting point of the process, McLaren hosted a series of talks and presentations at the London university while its partner DELL Technologies gave them the tools, such as the XPS laptop, to bring ideas to life. The students went on to develop concepts around the team’s cutting-edge engineering in Formula 1 as well as the distinct aesthetics of uniforms worn by James Hunt and Ayrton Senna, with each of the 12 looks coming together to provide a statement of McLaren’s countless contributions to the sport.
“Formula 1 is influencing culture in ways we’ve never seen before,” shared McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team Chief Marketing Officer, Louise McEwen, in an official statement. “Designed to Race explores that cultural influence through the eyes of the next generation of creative talent, who resolutely mirror our high-performance culture and commitment to detail. Working with Central Saint Martins has brought to life the connections between fashion and racing, allowing us to see our history reinterpreted in fresh and unexpected ways.”
Meanwhile, Fabio Piras, Course Leader for MA Fashion at Central Saint Martins, said, “At Central Saint Martins, we believe the most valuable learning happens when students are challenged to apply their creativity in real-world contexts. This collaboration gave our students the opportunity to work with one of the most powerful brands in global sport, and one that has led the way in working with partners to design wearable, inclusive collections that have connected fans with the team over a number of years.”
The collection is set to be revealed ahead of London Fashion Week at McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, UK.
To get tickets to the show on September 16, 2026, enter the competition on McLaren Racing Club.
