In 1989, with little more than a pair of scissors and a paper pattern traced from her favourite swimsuit, Lorna Jane Clarkson began reshaping the way women would dress, move and live.

At the time, she was an Australian fitness instructor who sensed something was missing. Women were active, but their clothing did not reflect the way they truly wanted to feel. It was purely functional, uninspiring, confined to the gym. Lorna saw the opportunity to create something entirely new: Activewear designed not just for performance, but for life.

She began sewing pieces for herself, wearing them to teach her classes. Almost immediately, women began asking where they could buy them. Word spread. Orders followed. Before long, Lorna Jane was stocked in a major Australian department store. But when her designs were placed alongside swimwear and traditional sports apparel, she realised something important — this wasn’t just a product, it was a new category. And to explain it properly, she would need to tell the story herself.

In 1990, she opened the first Lorna Jane Concept Store.

What followed was not simply the growth of a brand, but the evolution of a movement. Lorna wasn’t just designing clothing — she was defining Activewear and championing a lifestyle built around confidence, strength and daily movement. Her philosophy encouraged women to live actively all day, not just for an hour at the gym. Long before “athleisure” entered the global vocabulary, Lorna Jane had already set the foundation.

Nearly four decades later, her influence continues to shape the industry she helped create. A recipient of 14 RAQ Fashion Design Awards, the BRW Retailer of the Year Award and the Marie Claire Reader’s Choice Award, Lorna has also been recognised internationally by Goldman Sachs USA. She is a seven-time author, a trusted voice in wellness and an advocate for responsible innovation, leading sustainability initiatives such as Seamless Clothing Stewardship and supporting Women’s Community Shelters.

Yet her vision has always extended beyond clothing.


Through her Never Give Up podcast, Lorna shares conversations with women of impact across industries — stories of resilience, ambition and purpose that echo the values at the heart of her brand. With SOMA by Lorna Jane, she brings her Move Nourish Believe philosophy to life through immersive wellness retreats, creating spaces where women can reconnect, restore and rediscover what they are capable of.

And as she will tell you — she is only just beginning.