There is something to be said about March in Melbourne. While the city may not boast the same cultural landmarks or pristine beaches as its fellow capitals, it does lay claim to the nation’s premier sporting calendar. And for one brief moment in the first trimester of the year, it all converges at once. From the opening round of the AFL season to the intoxicating mix of petrol fumes and French Champagne that is the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, the eyes of sports lovers across the country will be firmly fixed on Melbourne this weekend.
That’s exactly what Five By Flynn founder Louie Collins is hoping for.
“The world is going through significant technological change with the rise of AI which, in my opinion, is making in-person sporting events more appealing,“ he tells me. “People want to experience community in real life, and when so many come together for one occasion, it creates strong cultural momentum that naturally breeds trends and fashion moments.“
For Collins, who launched the Sydney-based fashion and lifestyle brand in 2019, momentum has been key. From humble beginnings as a five-piece collection built on retro-nostalgia to a large-scale ready-to-wear unisex collection of contemporary basics and a flagship brick-and-mortar store in Sydney’s bustling east, Five By Flynn’s trajectory has been nothing but upwards. The label isn’t slowing down any time soon.
Ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, Five By Flynn has just unveiled its most daring collection yet. For the first time ever, the Sydney-based streetwear label has teamed up with Red Bull Pit Lane for a motorsport inspired apparel range that celebrates the unsung heroes of the world’s fastest sport.
Five By Flynn x Red Bull Pit Lane
Inspired by the world behind the grid, the Five By Flynn x Red Bull Pit Lane collection pays homage not only to the drivers, but to the team that makes racing possible. The six highly limited pieces speak to the dedication, crucial and often dangerous role of the pit crew, chronicling the travel days, downtime and everything that happens between the lights going out and the chequered flag. As Collins tells me, the new collection is a toast to the team behind the scenes, both in the F1 pit lane and in the Five By Flynn design studio.
“We know that so much more goes on behind the scenes than just the face shown externally, so I wanted to ensure this collection embodied that same sentiment,“ he tells me. “There is no way Five By Flynn would be where it is without a collective group working towards the same goals. The team we have is amazing, willing to learn, grow and highly dedicated. Teamwork makes the dream work and we can never forget that.“
Key among the new collection is a genuine leather race-jacket, complete with a Red Bull Pit Lane sleeve patch, Five By Flynn’s iconic 05 logo stitched into the back panel, and a custom tartan interior lining in Red Bull’s distinct red and blue. It’s the quintessential racing piece, bridging nostalgia-fuelled Y2K influences with contemporary high-fashion construction.
It’s a huge evolution for the brand, which just a touch over six years ago was making retro-inspired T-shirts in short-supply runs. Now, it’s helming a global debut, with the collection marking the first time Red Bull Pit Lane has developed a collaboration in the fashion space.
“I think it actually opened us up to more creativity,“ Collins explains. “As Red Bull Pit Lane hadn’t previously created a fashion collection, we weren’t working within set expectations or constraints around the design. We were able to really deep dive into how both teams envisioned the collection and ensure we had pushed the boundaries creatively before settling on the final designs.“
For Five By Flynn, a label that originally staked its claim on laid-back resort-wear with a streetwear edge, the move into motorsports might seem out of left-field, but Collins believes the move is more philosophical than that.
“As a brand, we like to think that Five By Flynn moves with the rhythm of youth culture, and we’ve watched closely as the popularity of racing has risen significantly over the past five years, making it an interesting subculture for us to tap into,“ he says. “The intersection between sport and fashion is at a real peak, and being able to contribute to that movement feels really special. Most importantly, it gives our community the chance to feel a part of the racing world, even without being trackside. We ultimately are for the people.“
The Power of Racing
In many ways, that has always been the Five By Flynn philosophy. Since day one, Collins and Co have worked at creating high-quality garments that stand the test of time, continually improving with every collection and release. Much like the teams at the heart of the track this weekend, the fashion brand is consistently testing and trialling, always eager to make improvements however small or insignificant they might seem.
“When I see how much the product, the team and the brand have grown, it feels like proof that we are truly establishing ourselves within the Australian fashion scene, which is a crazy feeling,“ Collins says. “To see our products continually improve as our customers’ needs evolve is what we’ve always strived for, but watching it come to fruition is a whole different story.“
“If you have dreams, there’s no point dreaming small.“
“I’m a big believer in working towards things that seem far out of reach, because I truly believe that when you put your mind to something, anything is possible,“ Collins continues. “Setting ambitious goals pushes us forward. We learn more, the team grows, and we get to collaborate with new people. While yes, we are selling clothes, I strongly believe in focusing on how a brand or piece makes you feel and the experience it embodies, not just how it looks.“
Speaking with Collins, you get the sense that it’s never just about garments on a rack or logos on a jacket. The Sydneysider and his team are working towards something bigger, crafting an experience that feels authentic, original and full of passion. By celebrating the people behind the liveries, Five By Flynn is doing something interesting; bringing the unsung heroes out from pit lane and onto the podium.
“I want to build a brand that guides culture, inspires people and makes them feel something,“ Collins says. “It’s what drives me to keep going.“
The Five By Flynn x Red Bull Pit Lane capsule collection will be available in the Five By Flynn Flagship Paddington Store and online from 22 February 2026. The unisex six-piece collection features a range of ready-to-wear garments designed in collaboration with the motorsports organisation.
