In Autumn Winter 24, we explore the experience of women on the forefront of car racing, during the civil rights movements when a more virulent strain of sentiment toward women was under way. These women would do whatever it took for the taste of adventure that car racing brought to their lives.

Janet Gutherie, the first woman to qualify and compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500 in 1977, was a key figure in this time period. Able to pilot small aircraft from the age of 13, Gutherie pursued racing during her time studying Aerospace Engineering, as it was not possible for women to pursue a career as a pilot at the time.

Janet Gutherie at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 1979. Image Courtesy of RACER.

Across the Atlantic, woman rally car pioneer Pat Moss-Carlson in the United Kingdom made her debut on the international rallying stage in 1955 at the Rally GB. Regardless of her gender, her family connections with a famous driver brother-in-law, or her background, Moss-Carlsson was a force to be reckoned with.

Pat Moss wins Hollands Tulip rally driving a Mini Cooper, 1962. Image Courtesy of Petrolicious.

The women who inspired the “Diesel Fuelled Defiance” collection, would go the extra for the taste of adventure that car racing brought to their lives – mostly finding their own means to realize their goals. Their efforts in female advancements for international racing were driving forces in our design work.

W’menswear AW’24 “Diesel Fuelled Defiance” is available now.