Cricket great Michael Clarke has been spotted leaving Pip Edwards’ Bondi home from an underground car park early Thursday morning, just days after he announced his split from wife of seven years Kyly.
The father-of-one left the luxury apartment block in his $54,000 BMW just before 9am, with the fashion designer leaving moments later in her $73,000 black Mercedes.
Clarke, who announced his $40 million divorce just last Wednesday, had parked his SUV in Ms Edwards’ underground garage during the visit to her coastal home.
Rumours have circulated through Sydney’s eastern suburbs about the pair’s friendship, but both have said they are not romantically involved.
They even celebrated New Year’s Day together with mutual friends at Bondi Icebergs’ exclusive party.
Michael Clarke was seen driving away from his close friend Pip Edwards’ house in Bondi early on Thursday morning (pictured)
The retired cricketer is seen behind the wheel of his silver BMW X5 away from Ms Edward’s home (pictured) after paying her a visit on Thursday morning
Pip Edwards was then seen leaving her house just 20 minutes later (pictured) to drive to a photoshoot. The Mercedes is worth around $72,900
It is understood there was no third party involved in Clarke’s shock split from his wife.
They have been separated for five months, but only revealed their split in a surprise announcement on February 12.
On Thursday, Clarke arrived at the designer’s home just before 8am and left an hour later, with Ms Edwards not far behind.
She then drove onto a photoshoot for her brand, P.E Nation, at Wooloomooloo Wharf in Sydney’s CBD.
In another sign of their close relationship, the cricketer has also shown support for Ms Edwards’ clothing empire, after confirming they were working on a project together.
The fashion designer took to Instagram on Thursday to announce that her fitness brand had partnered with retail company H&M for a joint project.
His early morning visit comes just days after the cricketer (pictured, right) and his wife of seven years Kyly, both 38, (right) announced that their marriage had ended
The retired cricketer was seen driving his silver BMW X5 – worth around $54,000 – away from Ms Edwards’ home (pictured) after coming to visit her on Thursday morning
‘Sooooooo excited to finally reveal that @p.e.nation has collaborated with global retail giant @hm in a sustainable conscious collection !!! Launching in H&M stores around world MARCH 5th,’ Edwards wrote.
Clarke quickly joined myriad fans in championing Ms Edward’s business success by liking the post.
An hour later, the designer posted a secondary photo of her on a fashion shoot set in LA for the new clothing collaboration.
Clarke liked the second image in just 11 minutes.
The former Test captain, who separated from the mother of his young daughter about five months ago, has also recently been spotted out with Ms Edwards.
Pip Edwards (pictured, right) left her morning meeting with Clarke to attend a photoshoot for P.E Nation at Woolloomooloo Wharf in Sydney
Ms Edwards had also driven her car out of the underground car park beneath her Bondi home (pictured) just minutes after Clarke had driven away
The early morning visit and public display of support comes after the pair shut down rumours they were in a relationship.
Both Clarke and Ms Edwards confirmed to Daily Mail Australia last week that the two have been close friends for 12 years and are now collaborating on work.
But Ms Edwards, who along with Claire Tregoning co-founded the hugely successful P.E Nation label, told Daily Mail Australia the rumours were ‘absolutely untrue’
Pip Edwards (pictured) followed her morning meet-up with Clarke with a photoshoot at Wooloomooloo Wharf for her fashion brand
The retired cricketer (pictured on Thursday morning outside Ms Edwards’ home) recently split from his wife after seven years
Clarke showed support for his long-time friend’s new business venture by liking her post on Instagram (pictured) on Thursday
Ms Edwards (pictured, left) had a busy morning after seeing Clarke, racing to a modelling shoot
‘Absolutely unfounded and untrue. That’s all I have to say. Thank you,’ the 39-year-old said.
Clarke’s personal assistant Sasha Armstrong also played down the romance rumours.
‘Michael has known Pip for over a decade and is currently working with both Pip and Claire on a special project with P.E Nation,’ Ms Armstrong said.
Clarke and his wife, who are both 38, reportedly separated in September but kept the split quiet until making an announcement on Wednesday night.
The Clarkes, who were high-school sweethearts, have said the ‘amicable’ decision to separate was ‘the best course’ for their four-year-old daughter Kelsey Lee.
Ms Edwards, who has a son with fellow fashion designer Dan Single and previously dated Wallaby Adam Ashley-Cooper, has known both the Clarkes for some time.
The retired cricketer has been seen going into the P.E Nation offices to meet Ms Edwards after becoming a consultant for a project, and the pair has had lunch together in Sydney.
Fashion designer Pip Edwards (pictured, centre) has denied she is in a relationship with cricket great Michael Clarke (right). Edwards co-founded P.E Nation with Claire Tregoning (left)
A second photo posted to Instagram on Thursday showed Edwards (pictured) on a bike during a fashion shoot for her sustainable conscious collection she is launching with H&M
Clarke was one of the first people to respond to the fashion designer’s image, clicking like within 11 minutes (pictured)
The Clarkes have reportedly already agreed terms on their divorce – as well as arrangements to co-parent their daughter – without going through the courts.
Ms Edwards has a 13-year-old son Justice Maximus with ex-partner Dan Single, the co-founder of the Ksubi fashion label to whom she was once engaged.
They began a relationship after she started working as his personal assistant at Ksubi in 2004 and the couple moved into Single’s South Bondi apartment.
Ms Edwards rose to womenswear designer at Ksubi and left the company in 2008 when she split from Single.
She subsequently joined sass & bide as its senior creative and accessories designer then moved on to General Pants to become design director for three years.
Pip Edwards (pictured) told Daily Mail Australia her relationship was not romantic. ‘It’s absolutely untrue,’ the 39-year-old said. ‘Absolutely unfounded and untrue’
Edwards (pictured) describes herself as an avid fitness enthusiast who enjoys pilates, boxing, F45, soft sand running, paddle boarding, surfing, and playing basketball
She co-founded P.E Nation – using her initials for the company’s branding – in 2016 and has been called one of the most influential figures in the Australian fashion industry.
P.E Nation’s first collection sold out within hours in March 2016 and since then the ‘street-meets-sportswear’ label has expanded to include retro-inspired streetwear, footwear, menswear and accessories.
It is now stocked worldwide with retailers such as Net-A-Porter, David Jones, Selfridges, Nordstrom, Le Bon Mache, Lane Crawford, The Iconic and Revolve.
Ms Edwards is managed by The Fordham Company, which describes her on its website as ‘larger than life’.
‘Pip is a wholly passionate individual who loves what she does and actively seeks to change lives on a daily basis,’ the website states.
‘Whether her customers are dropping their kids at school, working out, eating out or heading to work, Pip aims to create something that can be worn across all scenarios.’
Michael Clarke and Pip Edwards attended a New Year’s Day function at Bondi Icebergs were they were seen laughing and chatting together. Clarke is circled wearing a cap behind former cricketer Michael Slater. Edwards is circled in the centre
‘Pip and her team have created a supportive and inspiring community, a ‘nation’ who all want to look good, feel good and be inspired to do it all, and take on life.’
Ms Edwards describes herself as an avid fitness enthusiast who enjoys pilates, boxing, F45, soft sand running, paddle boarding, surfing, and playing basketball and soccer with her son.
She is into heli-skiing, travel, live music, hosting dinner parties and socialising with family and friends.
‘Pip’s true and honest approach and boundless energy to not only her business life, but her personal life, is what makes her such a formative figure and a force to be reckoned with,’ The Fordham Company states.
Before entering the fashion world Ms Edwards completed a Bachelor of Commerce/Law and worked in global risk management at PWC.
The Clarkes, who were high-school sweethearts, have said the ‘amicable’ decision to separate was ‘the best course’ for their four-year-old daughter Kelsey-Lee (all pictured)