P.E Nation’s Pip Edwards apologises for ‘tone deaf’ Australia Day posts

The girlfriend of former cricketer Michael Clarke has been accused of virtue signalling for a series of Australia Day posts.

Months after a Black Lives Matter gaffe, P.E Nation boss Pip Edwards has apologised for another controversy - this time for sharing tone deaf Instagram posts on Australia Day.
The Bondi fashion designer was accused of virtue signalling after she said January 26th should not be celebrated out of respect for First Nations people before attending a backyard celebration with friends, where the Aboriginal flag was flown upside down.
“I want to express my sincere apologies to those that I have offended,” Edwards, 41, wrote on Instagram.

“My intentions were always from a good place, in support of all people, wanting unity and community in this country and globally. I innocently did not realise that the Aboriginal flag was upside down and was more focused on the idea of raising both flags together on the one pole, flying as one. I understand it was a huge mistake to not know at the time but my intention was never to cause disrespect.
“I then made the error of incorrectly using the word ‘celebrate the land’ when it should have read ‘acknowledge’. Again, a big mistake on my part and for that I deeply apologise.”

On Tuesday, the glamorous girlfriend of former cricketer Michael Clarke shared a thought-provoking letter from a newspaper on Instagram about why January 26 is not a day for celebration.

The newspaper letter shared by Pip Edwards to her Instagram page on Australia Day.

“No cause to celebrate,” the letter written by a woman named Susan Hillman Stolz began.

“If another country invaded Australia and took it over, massacred many of our families, took possession of our land, homes and properties, took away our culture, forbade us from speaking English and punished us if we did, took away our children in an effort to cleanse us of our ethnicity, herded us into enclaves and missions, rounded up our sons, fathers, uncles and grandfathers in balls and chains and treated us as ‘’sub-human’’, would we and our descendants want to ‘’celebrate’’ the anniversary of that day? I think not.

“So why would we expect First Nations people to feel differently and why would those in positions of power be so insensitive to ignore what this day truly means? What have we got to lose by changing the date of Australia Day?”

Edwards also reposted a message shared on P.E Nation’s official Instagram page about the importance of honouring Indigenous Australians.

“P.E Nation acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this nation,” the post read.

Edwards also posted a series of photos at a gathering on the day.

Commenters pointed out the flag was being flown upside down.

“We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which our company is located and where we conduct our business. We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present. P.E Nation is committed to honouring Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society.”

Shortly after sharing the profound messages, Edwards and Clarke attended an intimate gathering at a waterfront home with friends including Sneaky Sound System star Connie Mitchell.

Edwards shared a bikini selfie along with photos of her seafood lunch and champagne.

I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here star Abbie Chatfield led a chorus of criticism aimed at Edwards for her “contradictory” and “tone deaf” Australia Day posts.

Edwards with Michael Clarke.

Edwards modelling for PE Nation. Picture: Jedd Cooney

“Why have you posted a story explicitly outlining why today is not the date to celebrate and then posted this, precisely the opposite?” Chatfield asked in the comments section.

“You are clearly aware of the reasoning behind the protests, the outcry, the mourning … but post this. Confusing, tone deaf behaviour. I don’t even know what to say. Usually it would be “educate yourself” but … you have posted about why this isn’t okay. It’s honestly baffling. Also, the Aboriginal flag is upside down in your stories, so.”

Another user wrote, “Wowwwwww. Don’t post a little Instagram story in “support” of changing the date and then go and celebrate Australia Day. Educate yourself!”

“UGH – and the flag you put up was upside down …,” a third person wrote.

Confidential has contacted Edwards for comment.

Last year, Edwards’ multimillion-dollar luxury sportswear brand, which is worn by the likes of Margot Robbie, Cate Blanchett and the Kardashians, was accused of glossing over racial injustice during the Black Lives Matter movement.

P.E Nation used the hashtags “#WeAreAllInThisTogether” and “#equalityforall” instead of the widely used “BlackLivesMatter” in a Instagram post.

Fans blasted the post as “lazy” and “disappointing”, with some even vowing to boycott the popular brand.

P.E Nation was formed by Edwards and Claire Tregoning in Sydney in 2016 and has since expanded across the globe, with US stockists including leading department stores like Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.