Backstage at Pip Edwards’ P.E Nation show at Australian Fashion Week

It was business as usual for Pip Edwards as she made a triumphant return to Australian Fashion Week on Tuesday. 

The designer was firing on all cylinders as she showcased with her first P.E Nation collection since her spectacular split with business partner Claire Greaves. 

Backstage, there were no signs of tension as models lined up ready for their moment on the runway. 

Military precision ensured the array of athletics ensembles were perfectly styled for their catwalk debut. 

Models lined up ahead of showtime, working their angles for some candid images that proved Pip can go it alone and come out on top. 

Pip herself showed off her sensational sense of style as she stepped out on the runway on Tuesday.

The PE Nation co-founder, 44, made an appearance on the catwalk to greet the crowds at Sydney‘s Carriageworks venue after her brand’s much-anticipated show.

It marked Pip’s first AFW show with P.E Nation since the shock departure of her longtime business partner and co-founder Claire Greaves after their falling out.

The runway show saw models strut the catwalk to show off the athleisurewear brand’s latest collection, while Pip pulled out all the stops for the event.

Pip put on a leggy display in a completely sheer black skirt worn over black underwear as she celebrated her brand’s latest collection.

She teamed her daring ensemble with a zip-up black sports jacket and a pair of chunky black and white trainers as she proved herself to be her own best advert.

Pip completed her fashionable look with a dramatic bronzed make-up palette and appeared in good spirits as she waved to the crowds.

The fashion entrepreneur took to the runway alongside her models as they sported stylish ensembles from P.E Nation, including pastel blue and pink tracksuit sets. 

Pip previously teased how P.E Nation would be undergoing some big changes at AFW, shedding the bright colours and clashing prints once synonymous with the brand.

‘We basically had to do a full colour-palette cleanse so that the rebrand and relaunch that you’ll see is a full cleanse, which will be quite a shock [compared with] the P.E Nation that you know,’ she told The Australian. 

‘Our fabrications are very luxe, our silhouettes are luxe, but it’s anchored in active.’ 

The AFW show came just two months after P.E Nation confirmed that co-founder Claire Greaves (formerly Tregoning) was stepping back from the business.

Pip has taken over as the sole creative director following Claire’s shock departure and is giving the brand a huge overhaul and relaunch.

The move marked the end of one of Australian fashion’s most enduring relationships, and will see Claire ‘pursue other creative endeavours’ and takes her career in a new direction.

Pip has since wiped all traces of Claire – who she worked with for 10 years – from P.E Nation’s social media in a shock move.

Last week, she shared an update to her personal Instagram page, pointing out she had just deleted every single post on the P.E. Nation page. 

The act erases years of posts promoting the sportswear brand, and all traces of her former business partner from the page.

Countless photos of Pip and Claire attending events together and promoting their brand are now gone, as Pip starts a new chapter in her professional life.

She poignantly captioned her post: ‘The past has been celebrated and now we pave the way for a new beginning.

Click here to resize this module

‘This fresh start has been initiated by wiping the slate clean to usher in a new age @p.e.nation #penation.’

The brand told the Daily Telegraph of Claire’s exit: ‘After 10 years of driving P.E Nation with friend and co-founder Pip Edwards, Claire Greaves has made the decision to step out of the day to day running of the business. 

‘Claire will remain on the board and will retain her shareholding as the company continues to thrive in the very creative, visionary hands of Pip Edwards at the helm, along with the board of directors.

‘The business has secured and developed an extremely strong product and design team.

‘Pip and the company are in complete support of Claire’s transition to pursue other creative endeavours and wish her the absolute best in her next chapter.’

Pip and Claire, who were recently hit by rumours of a rift, co-founded athleisure brand in Sydney back in 2015, and turned it into a globally thriving business.