Dharma Bums has been a hit around the world, with Brit behind it backing Australian-made

ACTIVEWEAR brand Dharma Bums was born on the northern beaches with a $15,000 investment by a former Tesco and Topshop UK boss. Now the brand, fully manufactured here, turns over $5m a year.

Debbie Lawson has created her own activewear label Dharma Bums based in the Northern Beaches. For #beachlife. Picture: Braden Fastier

NOT only was activewear brand Dharma Bums born on the northern beaches — it’s made here too and owner/designer Debbie Lawson reckons she may be the only person manufacturing clothing on the peninsula, rather than overseas.

The former clothing boss for Tesco and Topshop in the UK and Big W in Australia started the brand in 2014 with $15,000 and business is booming.

Dharma Bums has been a big hit with fitness followers on Instagram

Last year, she hired three machinists who make tights, tops and other activewear at the firm’s Freshwater base.

Though Mrs Lawson said it had been a challenge to set up manufacturing in Australia, she is determined to keep the brand ethical.

“My career in fashion led me to many countries — Bangladesh, Vietnam … it keeps people in a cycle of poverty. I really didn’t want to be part of that any more,” she said.

Owner Debbie Lawson thinks she could be the only person manufacturing clothing on the peninsula, rather than overseas. Picture”Instagram

Mrs Lawson started the firm after finding she could not find yoga wear which fitted the yoga ethos, but was also fun.

Dharma Bums — taken from the name of a Jack Kerouac book — turned over $5 million last year.

Pop star Ellie Goulding has worn the gear and it has been an especially big hit in Dubai.

Pop star Ellie Goulding has worn the gear and it has been an especially big hit in Dubai. Picture” Instagram

Lawson, who moved to Australia nine years ago from Essex with partner Matthew Guthrie and son Nathan, 15 — a Balgowlah Boys student — sells leggings from $80 and sports bras from $50.

“It has done fantastically well,” she said.