Arif Scholachudin: Suiting himself

Arif’s personal style was all over the winning outfit, from his choice of fabric – a light linen in a warm stone colour featuring a bold, large-scale print in a tonal white – to the cut of the cropped jacket and wide-leg pants.

The jacket was inspired by the fashion content he follows on social media. “I saw that a crop top suit looks nice and suits my body type, so I decided to make it for myself, and I love it.” Practically speaking, it was also the right call for the weather on the day. “The night before, I was thinking about wearing that suit because it was suitable for the autumn season, and on the day, it was a bit warm, so the crop-top cut was perfect. The material was light and nice, and the colour was just right for the season.”

Beneath the jacket was a soft pink shirt sourced from a local op shop, and his hat was a Stanton style purchased at the Bendigo Cup the year before. Simple gold accessories, including a vintage-style dragonfly brooch, completed the look.

The standout detail, however, was his tie. Made from Batik, a traditional Indonesian heritage fabric, it was a quiet nod to his roots, adding an extra layer of meaning.

His advice to anyone wanting to make an impression on the Flemington lawn? “Pick a comfortable outfit. Get the right colour for your skin tone and the season. And walk confidently.”

For Arif, fashion and racing have always gone hand in hand. “I love to dress up, I love fashion, and I love horse racing, so it’s just the perfect match.” When his name was announced as the winner, he summed it up in four words: “This is my dream.”