‘Full circle moment’: Pip Edwards returns to Ksubi as creative director

The 44-year-old has revealed her next career move, weeks after making the surprise announcement she was leaving P.E. Nation.

Pip Edwards has revealed her next career move, weeks after making the surprise announcement she was stepping down from her athleisure brand, P.E. Nation.

In what she described as a “true full circle moment”, the 44-year-old will return to Ksubi – where she got her start in the fashion industry two decades ago – as creative director.

“From its inception, Ksubi has been at the core of the global cultural zeitgeist, thriving at the intersection of where fashion, art, and music meet,” Edwards wrote on Instagram, alongside a picture of her and chief executive Craig King.

“Having been part of the original crew 20 years ago, I’m so excited to join the talented team at Ksubi once again and contribute to their already impressive global success.”

Edwards first joined the Australian denim brand, then known as Tsubi, in 2004 as the secretary for her then-boyfriend, Ksubi co-founder Dan Single (the former couple welcomed their son, Justice, in 2006).

“When I first went into my job at Ksubi I was his PA (personal assistant) and my title was ‘Legendary Sexytary’,” she recalled in a 2017 interview with The Sydney Morning Herald.

She worked her way through the ranks at what was then a “boys’ club”, becoming its womenswear designer before leaving the label in 2009.

Edwards will return to Ksubi as creative director. Picture: Instagram

Edwards at a Ksubi event in Melbourne.

Edwards went on to work in design roles at Sass & Bide and General Pants Co., at the latter of which she worked alongside Ksubi CEO King.

“Pip and I have always stayed close, exchanging ideas and bouncing things off each other,” he said in a statement regarding Edwards’ new role.

“We are excited to bring Pip’s creativity and boundless energy into our ranks at Ksubi. To bring someone with her vision and understanding of the market, combined with her deep history with the brand, is a huge bonus.”

P.E. Nation co-founders Pip Edwards and Claire Greaves with Ksubi CEO Craig King. Picture: Chloe Paul

Edwards relaunched P.E. Nation to much acclaim at Australian Fashion Week. Picture: Nina Franova/Getty Images for AFW

In 2016, Edwards and former Sass & Bide designer, Claire Greaves (then Tregoning) founded P.E. Nation, which has gone on to become one of Australia’s most successful athleisure brands.

After Greaves left the business in March this year, Edwards relaunched it to much acclaim at Australian Fashion Week – making it all the more surprising when, three months later, she announced that she, too, was walking away “to pursue new creative challenges”.

“My time leading the brand as Creative Director has been an incredible run, and while I am handing over that role, I am maintaining my P.E. Nation directorship and substantial shareholding,” she wrote on Instagram.

“I am forever grateful for and proud of what we created, and P.E. Nation will always be in my heart and soul.”

Greaves also retains a shareholding and board position. P.E. Nation is majority-owned by Sydney-based fashion group Hotsprings.