P.E. Nation designer Pip Edwards visits cafe with friends after laying off staff

She was forced to lay off six employees last week as her activewear brand P.E. Nation faces financial challenges. 

But Pip Edwards, 43, looked anything but downtrodden on Saturday as she visited a cafe in Bondi with friends. 

Dressed in head-to-toe P.E. Nation garb, Pip put her busy schedule aside as she spent time catching up with her pals over drinks at the outdoor venue. 

The blonde looked to be in a good mood as she shared a joke with her pals while relaxing on one of the stools at the cafe.

Pip wore minimal makeup and propped a pair of Balenciaga sunglasses on top of her head. 

Later, the mother-of-one was seen strolling down the footpath with her friends, still laughing and joking together.   

The sighting comes on the heels of the unfortunate news of P.E Nation downsizing due to ‘challenging market conditions’.

‘In response to the challenging economic conditions, the board of P.E Nation has implemented measures to streamline and restructure the business,’ Edwards stated in an official release to The Daily Telegraph.

Dressed in head-to-toe P.E. Nation garb, Pip put her busy schedule aside as she spent time catching up with her pals over drinks at the outdoor venue 

Pip looked to be in a good mood as she gestured with her hands while relaxing on one of the stools at the cafe

Pip wore minimal makeup and propped a pair of Balenciaga sunglasses on top of her head 

‘Regrettably, this has resulted in the difficult decision to make six staff redundant.’

Pip added: ‘These measures align with the overall restructuring efforts, which are necessary to secure the continued growth and success of the business.’

The Sydney socialite launched her activewear label P.E Nation in 2016 with her friend and business partner Claire, turning it into an international brand sold by 600 individual retailers in 95 countries.

At one point Pip gesticulated animatedly as she tried to explain something to her friend 

Earlier this year, Pip was forced to deny rumours of a falling out with Claire – whose office had been cleared out and turned into a ‘creative space’ following a months-long absence.

The pair went on a business trip to the UK together in November 2022, where they promoted their athleisure company, took selfies in London, and lunched with the likes of former foreign minister Julie Bishop.

But Daily Mail Australia revealed there were rumours swirling the deep friendship at the core of the business may have crumbled during their luxury trip away.

A source with knowledge of the company’s internal dealings alleged: ‘Pip and Claire have had a falling out.’

The sighting comes on the heels of the unfortunate news of P.E Nation downsizing due to ‘challenging market conditions’

‘In response to the challenging economic conditions, the board of P.E Nation has implemented measures to streamline and restructure the business,’ Edwards said to The Daily Telegraph

The source said Tregoning took one month off in December, extended her break for another month in January, and then opted for another three months’ leave.

Her office in the company’s Sydney headquarters has now been cleared and repurposed as a ‘creative room’.

A P.E Nation spokeswoman denied that the pair are feuding, insisting they remain ‘committed and collaborative business partners’.

‘Regrettably, this has resulted in the difficult decision to make six staff redundant,’ the statement read 

Pip added: ‘These measures align with the overall restructuring efforts, which are necessary to secure the continued growth and success of the business’

‘Claire is taking some well-earned time off and remains an important part of P.E Nation,’ the spokeswoman said. ‘(She) is taking a well-earned sabbatical for a few months.’

Tregoning reiterated the message when contacted for comment, adding: ‘The business and Pip have both been great supporters of my sabbatical and I am grateful to have this time off with my family.’

She did not respond to questions about her office at headquarters being cleared out, however the P.E Nation spokeswoman admitted it has been repurposed for the duration of her absence.

‘Whilst Claire is not in the office, we are using her office space for other purposes, including a meeting and creative room,’ they said.

The Sydney socialite launched her activewear label P.E Nation in 2016 with her friend and business partner Claire, turning it into an international brand sold by 600 individual retailers in 95 countries