P.E Nation fashion brand hits back after being accused of racism
Athletic leisure fashion company P.E Nation is just one of the many global brands accused of racism during the Black Lives Matter protests, now the design duo behind the label have weighed in to the accusations.
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Athleisure brand P.E. Nation founders Pip Edwards and Claire Tregoning have hit back at claims they are behind a non-inclusive and racist brand which failed to acknowledge the Black Lives Matter movement.
The fashion designers have been on the receiving end of a stream of online abuse from “keyboard warriors” who claim the duo are part of the problem and now feel the need to speak out.
Despite sharing a post acknowledging the protests and having long worked with a diverse range of models, followers recently accused the pair of “lazy activism” with one user even claiming Edwards as being “quintessentially” privileged by the colour of her skin.
“I don't know why this country still operates this way but tall poppy syndrome does still exist and it is really sad because I don’t see it in any other country,” Edwards said.
“Our brand is about unity within the community and inclusivity and we have said this since day one and we will stand strong.
“When we launched the brand we always said it was for all women to wear all day everyday.
“You can see from our imagery which has been there since 2016. It is unbelievable that people still don’t acknowledge that when it is so visual.
“Diversity has been important to our brand from day one because we had every intention of being a global brand and an inclusive brand. I don’t understand where these accusations come from.”
In the midst of the Black Lives Matter protests, P.E. Nation the brand posted on social media saying “equality for all” but failed to mention the critical protest itself by name prompting a stacks-on response from some disgruntled fans.
“It affects me personally because I am human,” Edwards said.
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“You cannot talk at the moment, you cannot say anything,” Tregoning added.
“You just don’t know what their ammo is. When they make these comments from a private account … those keyboard warriors, those comments are there to be seen so other people jump on the bandwagon.”
Edwards’ message to the haters is clear.
“Do your research, scroll through our Instagram, learn who we are as a brand, don’t jump on the bandwagon and if you are going to criticise, have something poignant to say … talk with truth.”