Pip Edwards and Claire Greaves have split after more than ten years together.
The friends, who have recently been hit by rumors of a split, co-founded Sydney athleisure brand PE Nation in 2015 and have since turned it into a thriving global business.
However, Claire – formerly known as Claire Tregoning – has now retired from running the business, while Pip remains solo at the helm of the brand.
This move marks the end of one of the most enduring relationships in Australian fashion and represents a huge change for the popular streetwear brand.
Claire – who split from her husband, filmmaker Timothy Tregoning, in 2022 – will now “pursue other creative endeavors” as she takes her career in a new direction.
Pip Edwards (right) and Claire Greaves (left) have split after more than a decade together
The brand confirmed this in a statement to the Daily telegramwhich said: ‘After ten years leading PE Nation with friend and co-founder Pip Edwards, Claire Greaves has made the decision to step down from the day-to-day running of the business.
“Claire will remain on the board and maintain her shareholding as the company continues to thrive in the highly creative, visionary hands of Pip Edwards at the helm, together with the board of directors.
‘The company has secured and developed an extremely strong product and design team.
“Pip and the company fully support Claire’s transition to pursue other creative endeavors and wish her all the best in her next chapter.”
Ny Breaking Australia has contacted PE Nation for comment.
Shortly after the news broke, Pip confirmed on Instagram that PE Nation is now a B Corp certified company as she announced the exciting news for the brand.
Pip (left) and Claire (right) co-founded popular Sydney streetwear and athleisure brand PE Nation in 2015, and have since built it into a thriving global business
B Corps are companies that meet high standards of social environmental performance and transparency, and Pip detailed the two-year journey to achieving the certification.
Alongside photos of herself standing solo in front of PE Nation signs, she wrote: “PE Nation was born out of a love for an active life. A lifestyle that thrives in the outdoors of our urban coastal environment. We love connecting people and communities and shaping the way we feel and move.
‘Personally, I have a deep innate love and appreciation for our Earth and the ocean, and I understand that this ultimately sets the context for how we can live and feel good. It is from our landscape that I find great peace and inspiration on a daily basis, so naturally @penation embarked on a conscious journey to commit to honoring, respecting, and restoring the planet while still doing business.
“The path to B Corp certification has been a huge company-wide initiative over the past two years, all employees, and I couldn’t be prouder to announce this huge milestone and achievement. @penation is now a certified B Corp.
“But we know we haven’t crossed the finish line because it isn’t there. We will continue to navigate the complexities toward positive impact, we will be constantly questioned about what more we could do, and we will undoubtedly face challenges that will be difficult to overcome.
However, Claire (left) – formerly known as Claire Tregoning – has now stepped back from running the business, while Pip remains solo at the helm of the brand.
‘But we promise that we will do our utmost to commit ourselves to improvement, greater social responsibility and environmental stewardship. We can all be the change to continuous improvement @bcorporation @bcorpanz.”
Before launching PE Nation together, the pair worked together for two years after meeting at Australian designer Sass & Bide.
Pip and Claire then turned their luxury activewear label into an international brand sold by 600 individual retailers in 95 countries, creating a host of celebrity clients.
But last year Pip was forced to deny rumors of a falling out with Claire after her office was cleared out and turned into a ‘creative space’ following a months-long absence.
Ny Breaking Australia revealed rumors were swirling that the deep friendship at the heart of the business may have crumbled after a luxury trip.
A source with knowledge of the company’s internal dealings claimed at the time: ‘Pip and Claire have had a falling out.’
The source said Claire took a month off in December 2022, extended her break for another month in January and then opted for another three months of leave.
However, a PE Nation spokeswoman subsequently denied the pair had an argument and insisted they did remain ‘dedicated and collaborative business partners’.
“Claire is taking well-deserved time off and remains an important part of PE Nation,” the spokeswoman said at the time. “(She) is taking a well-deserved sabbatical for a few months.”
Claire reiterated the message when approached for comment, adding: ‘The company and Pip have both been huge supporters of my sabbatical and I am grateful to have this time off with my family.’
In December 2022, Claire announced the launch of her new luxury accommodation venture in Byron Bay called ‘Sun Ranch’.
Last year, Pip was forced to deny rumors of a falling out with Claire after her office was cleared out and turned into a ‘creative space’ following a months-long absence.
“I’m feeling really itchy and excited about the unveiling of this new project that me and my amazing friends have been working on,” she wrote on Instagram at the time.
“Sun Ranch is a 1970s-inspired, offbeat 55-acre luxury estate,” according to the Instagram page.
‘An ultra-chic guest house with five rooms and six epic barns. Abundant with unpretentious good times. Coming in 2023.”
Her work stoppage followed a period of turmoil in her life during which she quietly parted ways with her husband Timothy in mid-2022 after 11 years of marriage.
