The split between Pip Edwards and her PE Nation co-founder Claire Greaves comes amid fresh rumors that they had a toxic feud and can no longer work together.
That’s despite the couple denying a breakup last year when Greaves’ office at PE Nation headquarters was cleared out while she went on extended leave.
A company spokesperson confirmed on Thursday that Greaves (formerly Tregoning) would retain her stake in the company and remain on the board, but Edwards would take over as sole ‘visionary’ creative director.
They said: ‘Pip and the company fully support Claire’s transition to pursue other creative endeavors and wish her all the best in her next chapter.’
Just a year ago, Daily Mail Australia revealed that Greaves’ office at PE Nation’s headquarters in Alexandria, in Sydney’s inner west, had been converted into a creative space while she took leave.
At the time, a well-placed source claimed the co-founders were embroiled in a feud – which PE Nation and Greaves themselves denied, insisting the pair were ‘dedicated and collaborative business partners’.
But Daily Mail Australia understands the real reason why Greaves – who has a restraining order against her ex-husband, Tim Tregoning – has stepped away from the day-to-day running of the company is due to ongoing tensions between the pair.
A source with knowledge of the situation said there was “no love lost” in the decision to end their business partnership.
Claire Greaves and Pip Edwards (photo) announced on Thursday that they are no longer business partners
Pip Edwards is pictured near the PE Nation office in Alexandria, western Sydney
Tim Tregoning was spotted with a mystery woman in Avalon on Friday following the departure of his ex-wife Claire from PE Nation
The shock exit
According to Thursday’s statement, Greaves left to pursue other creative endeavors.
“Claire Greaves has made the decision to step back from the day-to-day management of the company,” a spokesperson said.
“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.
“Pip and the company fully support Claire’s transition to pursue other creative endeavors and wish her all the best in her next chapter.”
Greaves did not elaborate on her split with Edwards after the announcement on Thursday.
Instead, she took to Instagram to post photos from her trip to Los Angeles.
Edwards also did not directly address Greaves’ departure from the company, instead stating that PE Nation had achieved B Corp status – meaning it has achieved global recognition for its sustainability efforts.
Rumors of Greaves’ departure from PE Nation have been circulating for months, fueled in part by her extended absence from the office.
Last year, a company spokesperson would not confirm whether Greaves planned to return to headquarters.
They said: ‘While Claire is away from the office we are using her office space for other purposes including a meeting and creative space.’
The pair were pictured together at the Australian Fashion Laureate in October, but Greaves appears to be spending a lot of time in Byron Bay lately, where she is involved with luxury guest house Sun Ranch.
Greaves did not elaborate on her split with Edwards after the announcement on Thursday. Instead, she used Instagram to post photos from her trip to Los Angeles (pictured)
Claire Greaves and Pip Edwards were photographed together in October last year
The breakdown of the marriage
Amid rumors of Greaves’ breakup with Edwards, it was revealed that she and her ex-husband Tim Tregoning quietly split in 2022, but the news was made public eight months later last January.
The former couple have two children together. She told the Sydney Morning Herald at the time that the split was amicable.
“It’s very amicable, we still love each other, we co-parent and he remains a good friend,” she said.
“Things change and that’s exactly what happened for us, but we’ll get through it with great respect and support for each other.”
Tim Tregoning quietly split from Greaves in 2022, with the couple saying the split was amicable (he is pictured with a friend in Avalon on Friday)
Ms Greaves and Mr Tregoning have two children together who they co-parent
In November last year he was arrested and taken to Manly police station, on Sydney’s northern beaches, where officers served a domestic violence warrant against him on behalf of Greaves.
He was subsequently charged with stalking or harassing her with intent to cause bodily or mental harm between November 1 and November 3 last year.
Tregoning, who has the name “Claire” tattooed on his ribs alongside a heart and arrows, has pleaded not guilty and is represented by celebrity attorney Bryan Wrench. The case is still in court.
Last year he was given a good behavior fine after being caught buying a bag of cocaine worth $600 from a dealer in Bondi Beach.
A court heard he bought the drugs on the same day Greaves told him not to come home. Despite that situation, she still wrote him a glowing character reference.
Claire Tregoning confirmed her split with her husband Timothy (pictured together) in 2023
Ms Greaves said she still has ‘great respect and support’ for Mr Tregoning
Mr. Tregoning has the name Claire tattooed on his ribs with a heart and arrows
Mr Tregoning was given a good behavior bond after buying a bag of cocaine worth $600 from a dealer in Bondi Beach last year
The rise of PE Nation
Greaves and Edwards worked together as designers at Sass & Bide before joining forces and launching their activewear brand in 2016.
They turned the luxury label into an international brand that attracted a large number of famous customers.
In May 2023, they expanded with the opening of their first physical store at The Galeries on George Street in Sydney.
The store was designed by an architect and features custom lamps, sculptures and furniture from local designers.
According to the company website, PE Nation was “born from a universal need for versatile activewear, given the global shift to juggling fast-paced lives.”
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Greaves and Edwards for comment.
