We sat down with FATR veteran and local racewear legend, Anais Falzon, to get the inside scoop on all things racewear fashion. Having snagged multiple Best Dressed sashes across the state, Anais—currently the Marketing and PR Manager at Paolo Sebastian—has some amazing insights into where racewear fashion is heading this year!
In your experience, racewear is all about striking the right balance between elegance and individuality. What do you predict will be the key masculine and feminine trends for 2025 that allows racegoers to stand out while still adhering to traditional race dress codes?
For me personally at the moment I really love a unique suit moment, and I think as a female that is something that is relatively new for competing. We are starting to see FOTF competitions choosing to embrace it as well with a best dressed and best suited category removing the genders which is really cool to see!
High fashion often leads the way in innovation and design. What high fashion trends do you predict will influence racewear for 2025, and how can racegoers incorporate these couture-like elements into their outfits?
Again, for me I love watching and following every season from all the major fashion houses even purely for inspiration. Admiring and respecting the craftsmanship is something couture and racewear has in common. There are milliners like Philip Treacy and Stephen Jones who have demonstrated the importance of millinery in fashion with collaborations like McQueen and John Galliano.
Accessorising is often a defining factor in racewear. What bold or unexpected accessory trends do you predict will dominate in 2025, and how might they elevate a race outfit from classic to cutting-edge?
Sometimes I like to build a look from an accessory rather than a garment. Accessories make an outfit. I think shoes are often overlooked but a great stand out shoe can really make an outfit stand out. The best outfit advice I have been told is to never just throw on a plain nude shoe, it’s an opportunity to elevate.
As a Fashions on the Field winner, you understand the balance between creativity and tradition. What traditional elements do you believe will still be essential in racewear in 2025, and how will they be reinterpreted in new, exciting ways?
You can really be playful with the traditional rules because although racewear leans to a conservative look you can have fun with colour, silhouettes, and fabrics. Working these into the perfect blend always makes for a stunning race day outfit.
What advice would you give to someone planning their racewear outfit/s for 2025?
I’m sure everyone hears this all the time but truly it would be to have fun with it. At the end of the day judges all have differing opinions, I think it really shows when you’re confident in your look and wearing pieces you’re excited to wear again. If you aren’t going to wear it again it means you’re buying pieces that aren’t a representation of you, be true to yourself and you will never fault.