Heron Preston and Formula E have announced a creative partnership with the ambition to shape the future of motorsport fashion through sustainable design, performance, and materials. The project is rooted in what both achieve through reuse: Preston turns recovered materials into design, while Formula E turns recovered energy into racing performance.

At the centre is eX-Ray, Preston’s concept for looking at every element of a product with “X-ray vision,” from the materials and how they are made to the people and processes behind them. Rather than simply selecting existing fabrics, eX-Ray takes a considered approach to how materials are developed. For the Formula E preview, that means using recycled cotton made from pre-consumer factory off-cuts and production scraps, sorted, shredded, and re-spun into new yarn before being developed into a heavyweight, tightly woven fabric.

Preston’s work has consistently explored overlooked materials. His 2016 UNIFORM project upcycled decommissioned New York City Department of Sanitation uniforms, and more recently he transformed Mercedes-Benz crash-test airbags into garments. Formula E brings a complementary approach through racing, using the track to advance electric technology and material innovation.

“This creative partnership is about rethinking what motorsport fashion can be,” said Preston. “I’ve always been interested in taking materials, processes and ideas from unexpected places and finding new ways to give them purpose. Working with Formula E gives me the opportunity to bring that approach into a world where performance is everything.”

The partnership previews at ComplexCon Los Angeles from 3 to 4 October, with an exploration of eX-Ray materials alongside a GEN4 car featuring a Preston-designed livery. The GEN4 car is designed to be 100% recyclable or reusable, with at least 20% recycled materials across key components. Formula E is also the world’s first Global B Corp Certified sport. The partners intend to explore performance, fashion, fan merchandise, and accessories over the long term.