The weather was a bit up and down this week so I had to pull out some wintery pieces that I thought had gone into hibernation for good. Such is the unpredictability when it comes to the weather at this time of year! I had a few meetings and some running around to do so I had a few outfits that were a little dressy, but mostly it was about comfort. A few of my new season favourites featured heavily in my outfit rotation, which is great as I love being able to get maximum wear out of everything. Here’s what I wore this week.
I needed something nice and toasty this week and this loungewear set by Joslin is heaven. It’s super soft so it’s perfect for spending the day in at home, but it’s elevated enough that I can wear it when I’m heading out. Love the textured finish on both the jumper and pants. I finished it off with my shearling Camilla and Marc slides, which are such a great transeasonal shoe.
Credits: Jumper and pants, Joslin; Slides, Camilla and Marc
When something is in rotation every week you know it’s a worthwhile wardrobe addition. These Anna Quan tailored pants work back with so many different tops in my closet, and are a bit of a style chameleon. I can easily dress them up or down. I’ve aslo been wearing this off-the-shoulder Viktoria and Woods top almost weekly. I’ve always been a fan of an off-the-shoulder neckline and this top sits well and doesn’t feel like it’s going to fall down, which is often a problem with other similar styles. Thumbs up!
Credits: Top, Viktoria and Woods; Pants, Anna Quan; Bag, Dior; Sunglasses, Vehla
My workout looks are almost always in muted tones, and black features quite heavily in the mix. This is a great Lorna Jane set as it sits well, offers support where it needs to and it’s quite breathable.
Credits: Crop (similar here) and leggings (similar here), Lorna Jane
Suiting is always a fave of mine, but I love this as an option for warmer weather. It has all the polish of a suit, but without sleeves, the blazer feels a little more fashion forward (and more comfortable for hotter days). I went with some beige accessories, including my Fendi Peekaboo bag and minimalist Scanlan Theodore heels.
Doing this round up each week is always a great reminder of the current pieces I have in my closet, which often sparks new ideas for how to style them. I love being able to mix and match current pieces in new ways and always enjoy giving them a spin with old favourites. I embraced a number of different outfits this week, from a trendy take on suiting, to dresses with personality and my go-to looks for working out. Here’s what I wore this week.
Vests and pants are one of my favourite interpretations of traditional suiting right now. The vest feels feminine and polished, and worked back with tailored pants it makes for a modern look. This look is head-to-toe Seed Heritage which is often a go-to of mine when it comes to trend pieces with a classic spin. I accessorised this with a white pouch bag (note: a very Bottega silhouette for a fraction of the price) to add a touch of softness to the clean lines, while nude heels help elongate my frame.
This was at a fitting with 7Racing and front and centre was one of my favourite brands, Acler. This sunshine yellow dress was just the right pop of colour to brighten up my mood. Meanwhile the puff sleeves are a forever favourite detail of mine when it comes to dresses, while the deep V-neck makes for a flattering neckline. I have had these gold Aquazzura sandals forever and I still consider them a neutral in how easily they pair with so many different looks.
Credits: Top, Lorna Jane; Leggings, Camilla and Marc; Sneakers, Asics; Hat, Nike; Bag, Furla, Sunglasses, RayBan
Workout day means you’ll often find me in mostly black athleisure pieces. I love Camilla and Marc’s activewear range as they give a fashion-ey spin to sportswear, and Lorna Jane is a longtime fave for basics like this black tank. Black sneakers are my go-to for exercising as I find they go with more pieces, and as I train a lot outdoors, they’re easier to keep clean!
Credits: Dress, Kate Ford; Slides, Hermes
I’ve managed to get some great mileage out of this Kate Ford dress, which is always a sign of a good wardrobe addition. It’s perfect for dressing up or down, and I’ve worn this with heels and flats so it’s a truly versatile staple.
Catching up with Lorna Jane Clarkson at China Diner in Sydney’s Double Bay
As the woman behind one of Australia’s biggest activewear brands it seems only fitting that Lorna Jane Clarkson’s love affair with fitness apparel first began when she was an aerobics instructor in the 80s. Unable to find fashionable clothes to wear to her classes she decided to design and create her own and found herself inundated with orders for her designs from other women in the gym. The rest, as they say, is history. Today she is a fashion designer, entrepreneur and author and there are now more than 200 Lorna Jane stores across Australia and the United States, as well as stockists in Europe, the UK, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Lorna’s first cookbook, NOURISH – The Fit Woman’s Cookbook was released in 2014 and Lorna’s first ever coffee table book INSPIRED was released in 2015. The fifty-two-year-old businesswoman spoke to me about the inspiration behind her brand, who she looks up to and the most difficult part of being in the public eye.
What is a day in the life of you?
I wake up around 5am, squeeze in a workout, have breakfast, catch up on my international emails from overnight and then head into the office by eight. No two days in the office are ever the same (which I love) and on any given day I could be writing, designing, on a campaign shoot or in marketing, strategy or creative meetings. I always try and leave by six and go for a walk with my husband and our dog Roger to catch up on each other’s day before dinner. I love to finish the day with some yoga or meditation, then I go to sleep, wake up and do it all over again!
What does healthy and fit mean to you?
Being healthy is essentially taking care of yourself so that you can think, feel and be at your best every day. Our health is the one thing we can ALL invest in, and I honestly believe it’s the ultimate investment you will ever make. Without your health, you have nothing, which is why I’m so passionate about empowering women to embrace my Active Living Philosophy and daily practice of Move Nourish Believe – for the simple reason that it makes being fit and healthy really easy.
What is your favourite piece in the current collection?
What do you think was the key to being able to successfully expand your empire?
Authenticity. Since day one, I’ve always done things my own way and I’ve never tried to emulate anything another brand is doing. I think our authenticity is why we have such an incredible and loyal customer base, which is what has allowed us to be able to expand internationally.
How did you get into the health and fitness space?
My mother has always been a great role model for health, so it’s been important to me for as long as I can remember. I got really into the aerobics craze when it launched in the 80s and ended up doing my instructor training and teaching aerobics classes after work. At that time I couldn’t find any gym clothes that inspired me to want to workout—so I started making my own. When I started wearing them to the gym, the women in my classes really loved them, so I started taking orders and before I knew it I was completely swamped (and my lounge room was an absolute mess). I found a real niche and loved what I was doing, so I decided to quit my day job and start designing activewear full-time. And I can honestly say it was the scariest but absolutely BEST decision I’ve ever made!
What were the biggest challenges you faced when you started the company?
The very first one was getting people to believe in my vision, that comes down to self belief as well. I think you need to need to come from a very powerful place with your vision because for me to say that I want active wear that inspires women and changes the way they think about their workouts, people are thinking “yeah yeah”. I could see women wearing their activewear beyond their workouts and people thought I was crazy to open a store that just sells womens activewear. But a lot of hard work and I proved them wrong!
What are you most passionate about?
Inspiring women to live their lives at 100 per cent.
Who do you look up to?
I admire so many people for so many different reasons. I admire strong women like Oprah, Michelle Obama and Diane von Furstenberg. My mum for being such an inspiring role model for me when I was growing up. And of course my husband Bill for being such a visionary and fearless leader!
What is the most rewarding part of having such a successful brand?
Hand over heart, the most rewarding part of my job is when our customers tell me how Lorna Jane has helped them overcome an obstacle in their life. Our ‘Inspo Tanks’ have become a big part of our brand DNA and I’m humbled every time a customer tells me wearing one has helped them push through an obstacle in their life. I’ve heard stories from fitness instructors wearing them to help motivate their members in class right through to women wearing them whilst fighting for their lives in hospital. Hearing stories like those are the reason I do what I do and it makes the more challenging and stressful times so worth it.
Did you have any struggles and setbacks in creating the Lorna Jane brand?
Of course! I can’t even count the number of times—but it’s all part of the journey and to be completely honest I wouldn’t change a thing, because it’s the setbacks and obstacle that teach you lessons, make you stronger and help you to appreciate what you already have so much more.
What is the most challenging aspect of being in the public eye?
When people are quick to make a judgment or assumption about you based on something they’ve read or heard.
What motivates you on a day-to-day basis?
My customers, my team and my amazing family.
How important is it for you to be a role model and embody the Active Living Philosophy and daily practice of Move Nourish Believe?
The reason I put my name on the door 28 years ago, was to make sure that I stayed 100 per cent authentic to who I was as a person. Lorna Jane the brand really is just an extension of Lorna Jane the person and Active Living is my personal philosophy that’s achieved through the daily practice of Move Nourish Believe—plus it’s the very thing I credit for getting me to where I am today.
What is your favourite meal?
Breakfast! Hands down!
Who do you turn to for support?
My husband Bill. While he’s the CEO of Lorna Jane, he’s first and foremost my husband and I know I can turn to him for anything.
Your husband Bill also works actively in the business. Is it hard to switch off as a couple?
We always make sure we schedule some quality family time together every day, even if it’s just a 20-minute walk together before we have dinner so we can really connect as husband and wife. I think when you run a business it can be so easy to get carried away and think “I’ll just send one more email” or “I’ll talk to him about it when I get home”, so actively scheduling ‘no more business’ time is the way we switch off.
Why do you think the activewear industry has seen such growth over the past few years?
Two things—I think that people are finally starting to realise the importance of good health and that wearing activewear is so much more comfortable and conducive with how we live our lives today. Activewear has become an important part of the modern woman’s wardrobe and I think more and more brands have realised this in the last few years, which is why the activewear industry has absolutely boomed.
Where do you see the Lorna Jane brand in five years?
Global.
Do you get to relax?
Of course. There’s no way you can be in business for 28 years and stay at the top of your game if you don’t take the time to rest and relax.
What do you do in your downtime?
We love to go to the beach and Byron Bay is a popular spot for us to escape for the weekend. But I also make sure I schedule a little bit of down time every day, even if it’s just half an hour of yoga or reading before I go to bed.
WE ATE Pork & scallop san choi bao with green bean and almonds; “Asian Slaw” of shredded cabbage, snow pea, carrot and coriander with plum and yuzu dressing; Crab spring rolls with plum sauce; Massaman curry of wagyu beef shin and roasted peanut
