18 August 2026 11:00 (UTC)
In collaboration with Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London
Forty-six Central Saint Martins students have transformed six decades of McLaren history into 12 original runway looks, bringing Formula 1 design and style from the racetrack to the runway.
Created as part of Designed to Race - McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team's latest campaign exploring the relationship between racing, design and culture - the collaboration invited emerging designers from one of the world's leading creative institutions to reinterpret iconic moments from the team's history through fashion.
Working in 12 groups, students from the MA Fashion course have been commissioned to design and create full concept looks, inspired by defining eras of McLaren, from the bold colours and silhouettes of the 1970s through to today's Papaya era, as part of a 2026 partnership. McLaren partner, Dell Technologies, became technology partner and equipped students with new XPS laptops to research, design and evolve their pieces from ideas to reality.
While some collections draw on past drivers’ familiar aesthetics, like Hunt’s casual styling of driver overalls or Senna’s bright yellow helmet; others take inspiration from the engineering principles behind Formula 1, McLaren’s championship winning cars, and liveries - all bringing to life the unique symbiosis between drivers, style and the racetrack. Materials, construction techniques, and aerodynamic forms, have all been reimagined in garments that create an unexpected connection between technical precision and creative expression.
"Formula 1 is influencing culture in ways we've never seen before today's fans engage with the sport through fashion, music, design and social media as much as they do through what happens on the racetrack. Today 1 in 3 fans actively consider fashion and style as important in the way they want to express their fandom.
“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.”
At the project centre is a shared mindset. Whether shaping a race car or a collection, both disciplines demand imagination, experimentation and a commitment to detail. Every stitch, fabric, texture and silhouette reflects the same commitment to refinement that defines elite performance.
The partnership between McLaren and Central St Martins will culminate in an exclusive fashion show at the McLaren Technology Centre, ahead of London Fashion Week, where the students’ designs will be presented alongside selected pieces from McLaren's history. For one evening, the home of McLaren will become a runway. Twelve looks. Forty-six designers. Six decades of inspiration.
“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, which has connected fans with the team over a number of years.”
He continues, “Beyond the design challenge itself, the collaboration has provided a platform for our MA students to develop their creative practice, collaborate across disciplines and present their work to a wider audience. We're proud to see our students engaging with new ideas, pushing creative boundaries, and demonstrating the role design can play in connecting different worlds."
A limited number of tickets to the fashion show, Designed to Race: Front Row, on Wednesday, 16 September, will be available via a competition on McLaren Racing Club.
