Heron Preston and Formula E preview sustainable motorsport fashion at ComplexCon
Heron Preston and Formula E are bringing material-led design and racing innovation together in a creative partnership aimed at shaping the future of motorsport fashion. The collaboration will make its first public appearance at ComplexCon Los Angeles, where an exploration of Prestonâs eX-Ray materials will be presented alongside a GEN4 car featuring an exclusive livery designed by the creative director.
The partnershipâs central idea is reuse. Preston turns recovered materials into new design, while Formula E recovers energy through regenerative braking and uses it again in competition. For the preview, that shared thinking is reflected in recycled cotton made from pre-consumer factory off-cuts and production scraps. The waste is sorted, shredded and re-spun into yarn, then developed into a heavyweight, tightly woven fabric.
Designing from the material up
Prestonâs eX-Ray concept examines a product beyond its finished appearance: the materials, how they are made, and the people and processes involved. Rather than simply choosing from existing fabrics, the approach considers how materials are developed and used from the outset.
That philosophy builds on Prestonâs earlier work with overlooked resources. His 2016 UNIFORM project upcycled decommissioned New York City Department of Sanitation uniforms and second-hand garments. More recently, he transformed Mercedes-Benz crash-test airbags into garments that retained the materialâs distinctive physical qualities.
Formula E brings a complementary focus on electric technology, energy efficiency and material innovation through racing. Together, the partners intend to apply those perspectives across motorsport fashion, weighing fit, fabrication, durability and end of life alongside the qualities that make a product desirable to wear and keep.
A preview with a wider ambition
ComplexConâs communities across style, sneakers, art, music and innovation provide the setting for the partnershipâs introduction beyond motorsport. The installation will use garments to show the possibilities of eX-Ray materials, with the GEN4 livery offering a visible expression of the collaboration. The car also connects the project to Formula Eâs GEN4 programme.
The partners hope the wider programme will extend into performance, fashion, fan merchandise, accessories and products made from upcycled materials drawn from the sport. They also intend to explore new uses for components and materials after their racing life.
Formula E says the GEN4 car is designed to be 100% recyclable or reusable, with at least 20% recycled materials across key components. The championship is also the worldâs first Global B Corp Certified sport.
Preston described the collaboration as an opportunity to rethink motorsport fashion and design apparel âfrom the material upâ, balancing function and quality with a more considered approach to production. ComplexCon is an initial look at that direction; the partnersâ longer-term ambition is to bring the same material-focused thinking to products across the sport.
Simone Scanu
Heâs a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.