Fashion designer Pip Edwards has responded to rumours she’s in a relationship with cricket great Michael Clarke after he split with his wife of seven years Kyly.
Both Clarke and Edwards have confirmed to Daily Mail Australia the two have been close friends for 12 years and are working on a project together.
The former Test captain, who separated from the mother of his young daughter about five months ago, has recently been spotted out and about with Edwards.
The pair even celebrated New Year’s Day together with mutual friends at the famous Bondi Icebergs event.
However, Edwards, co-founder with Claire Tregoning of the hugely successful P.E Nation label, told Daily Mail Australia the rumours were ‘absolutely untrue’
‘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 which have been circulating across Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
‘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.
Fashion designer Pip Edwards (centre) has denied she is in a relationship with cricket great Michael Clarke (right) who announced this week he had split from his wife of seven years, Kyly. Edwards co-founded P.E Nation with Claire Tregoning (left). Clarke has been working with P.E Nation as a consultant
Pip Edwards (pictured) and Clarke have been spotted having lunch together recently. She told Daily Mail Australia their relationship was not romantic. ‘It’s absolutely untrue,’ the 39-year-old said. ‘Absolutely unfounded and untrue’
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). There were no third parties involved
Clarke and his wife, who are both 38, reportedly separated in September but kept the split quiet until making an announcement on Wednesday night.
It is understood there was no third party involved in their break-up.
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.
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 friends with Edwards for more than 12 years and he has recently been involved in a project with P.E Nation as a consultant.
Clarke has been seen going into the P.E Nation offices to meet Edwards and the pair has had lunch together in Sydney.
They were also seen chatting and laughing at a New Year’s Day function at Bondi Icebergs.
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 middle
Clarke and Slater are pictured at Bondi Icebergs on New Year’s Day at a function attended by Pip Edwards. She has been friends with Clarke for more than 12 years
The Clarkes have reportedly already agreed terms on their divorce – as well as arrangements to co-parent their daughter – without going through the courts.
‘After living apart for some time, we have made the difficult decision to separate as a couple amicably,’ their joint statement issued on Wednesday read.
‘With the greatest of respect for each other, we’ve come to the mutual conclusion that this is the best course for us to take while committed to the co-parenting of our daughter.’
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.
Edwards rose to womenswear designer at Ksubi and left the company in 2008 when she split from Single.
‘After living apart for some time, we have made the difficult decision to separate as a couple amicably,’ the Clarkes’ joint statement issued on Wednesday read
‘With the greatest of respect for each other, we’ve come to the mutual conclusion that this is the best course for us to take while committed to the co-parenting of our daughter,’ the Clarkes said. Kyly Clarke is pictured on Thursday at Bondi
Edwards subsequently joined sass & bide as its senior creative and accessories designer then moved on to General Pants to become design director for three years.
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.
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.
Pip Edwards was engaged to fellow fashion designer Dan Single and the former couple has a 13-year-old son. They are pictured together at the 2008 ARIA Awards at Sydney’s Acer Arena
‘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.’
‘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.’
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 Edwards completed a Bachelor of Commerce/Law and worked in global risk management at PWC.