Handing over 63 years of an F1 team's racing history to designers who are still in school is, on its own, a far more interesting move than another streetwear collab.McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team and Central Saint Martins, part of the University of the Arts London, have announced a collaborative project called "Designed to Race." The stars of the project aren't seasoned designers, but a group of MA Fashion postgraduate students.
The project kicked off earlier this year, with McLaren first holding a series of talks and briefings on campus at Central Saint Martins to help students understand the team's engineering mindset and historical context. Partner DELL Technologies provided tools including XPS laptops to help students bring their ideas to life. The concepts students went on to develop drew partly from the cutting-edge engineering details of F1 cars, and partly from the bold, distinctive racewear aesthetics worn by James Hunt and Ayrton Senna. The final result is 12 looks that together form a visual statement about McLaren's contribution to the sport.
Louise McEwen, Chief Marketing Officer of McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team, said in an official statement: "F1 is influencing culture in ways we've never seen before. 'Designed to Race' explores that cultural influence through the eyes of the next generation of creative talent, whose attitude precisely echoes our commitment to high performance and attention to detail. Working with Central Saint Martins has let us see our own history reinterpreted in ways that are fresh and unexpected."
Fabio Piras, Course Director of MA Fashion at Central Saint Martins, responded from an educational perspective: "At Central Saint Martins, we believe the most valuable learning happens when students are asked to apply their creativity in real-world contexts. This collaboration gave students the chance to work with one of the most influential brands in global sport, one that has long been committed to designing wearable, inclusive collections with its partners, continuing to connect fans with the team."
The 12 looks will debut ahead of London Fashion Week at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, UK, with the unveiling set for September 16, 2026. Anyone hoping to attend will need to enter a ballot through the McLaren Racing Club for a chance to secure a spot.
