18 July 2025  Not Just Another Lake T-ShirtAt nearly every Austrian lake, from Hallstatt to the Wörthersee or Zeller See, you'll find souvenir T-shirts on offer — scenic prints, cheerful slogans, and colorful reminders of summer holidays. But one lake stands apart with a shirt that has become a phenomenon of its own: the Faaker See Biker Shirt.Unlike typical tourist merchandise, the Faaker See shirt is a coveted annual collectible. Launched ahead of the European Bike Week (September 2-7, 2025), the largest motorcycle rally in Europe, each edition is a limited release — and eagerly awaited by fans of biker culture, Harley-Davidson events, and Carinthian flair. Over the years, it has become more than just apparel; it's wearable art and a marker of identity within a vibrant international community. A Tradition on Two WheelsThe tradition of the Faaker See shirt began in 2011. What started as a simple souvenir developed into a yearly cultural symbol of the event and the region of Finkenstein. Central to this development is Austrian designer Alexander Kofler, whose Villach-based studio Screenpainting.at specializes in screen printing, graphic design, and wearable art. Kofler's work is informed by both commercial design principles and regional identity. He has made it a point to incorporate local elements, such as the Finkenstein municipal coat of arms and the Austrian Bundesadler (federal eagle).The face of this year's shirt is Anita Wagner, a 36-year-old Hungarian-born fitness enthusiast who found her home in Villach 17 years ago. Wagner, described as open, passionate, and community-oriented, is no stranger to the Bike Week atmosphere — and now represents it as its official ambassador. She is joined by Biker Boy Alexander Knapp, forming a charismatic duo that reflects both the modern spirit and timeless cool of the biker lifestyle. The limited-edition 2025 shirts — one version for women, one for men — are now available via the official shop at biker-shirt.at and locally at ADEG Scheiber in Drobollach. As always, only this year's shirts are available, and once they're gone, they're gone. There are no reprints, no backstock — a defining feature that has turned past shirts into prized collector's items found on secondhand platforms and in private wardrobes across Europe. Design, Culture, and CollectibilityWhat sets the Faaker See Biker Shirt apart is not just the boldness of its graphics, but its consistency in telling a visual story about place, people, and passion. From screen printing techniques to symbolic content, the shirt bridges tourism, local culture, and biker aesthetics. That level of intention — and the limited nature of each release — places it in a category of its own.Image: Anita Wagner and Alexander Knapp stand beside a Harley-Davidson motorcycle on the shore of Lake Faak (Faaker See). Both wear the 2025 Official Faaker See Biker Shirt, designed by Alexander Kofler. The black shirts feature a bold eagle motif with regional symbols. Anita Wagner appears in denim shorts and lace-up boots; Alexander Knapp is dressed in jeans and sunglasses, leaning casually against the bike. Behind them, turquoise water, distant mountain silhouettes, and a cloudy sky complete the scenic Carinthian backdrop. Photo: © Krammer / Magneto CPA |