Lorna Jane Clarkson on 35 years in business, turning 60 and why ‘getting older feels great’

Lorna Jane founder Lorna Jane Clarkson. Photo / Supplied

Asked how it feels to turn 60, Lorna Jane Clarkson says, “Somehow, it doesn’t feel much different to turning 30″.

“If anything, I do feel more confident and at ease with who I am now than when I was younger. I used to think this stage of life would be about slowing down, but for me it’s been busier than ever.”

Last year was a milestone one for the founder of cult Australian activewear brand Lorna Jane, marking 35 years in business. In November, she celebrated turning 60 with an “intimate” dinner party, cake and a week off with friends at the Byron Bay farm she shares with husband Bill.

Admittedly “not one to make a big deal about birthdays”, Clarkson reflects that this number is an “exciting” one.

At 60, the former fitness instructor has learnt ageing isn’t something to be dreaded or delayed, but to embrace.

“I look at getting older as a privilege and I’m incredibly grateful for the life I’ve been able to create so far, and the opportunity to do it even better in the future,” she shares.

Lorna Jane Clarkson celebrated her 60th birthday in November 2024.

“We’re all getting older — there is no way to stop that — but what we can control is how we feel as we get older.

“What I’ve learnt is that when we take care of ourselves — move our bodies every day, eat well, protect our sleep, and invest in our mental wellbeing — getting older feels great.”

As she’s gotten older, Clarkson has made some adjustments to her personal fitness routine, swapping running for walking, particularly uphill, and yoga for strength training.

“I also eat a higher-protein diet than I did in my 30s, and I get more sleep.”

But as someone who has been in the fitness industry for years and seen trends come and go, she knows all too well that wellness isn’t always one-size-fits-all.

“The best advice I think I could give to women of any age would be to find what works for you and show up every day — make being fit and healthy your priority,” she says.

“I learnt a long time ago that if you want to succeed at anything then consistency is key — and that goes for your health and wellbeing as well.”

Lorna Jane Clarkson made her own workout clothes in the 80s.

She believes that even the simple act of putting on an activewear set in the morning can help you take that first step and get moving.

“We believe in the cognitive effect of wearing activewear and are committed to educating our team and customers around the importance of being active every day.”

As a 20-something fitness instructor, Clarkson had already been creating her own workout clothes for herself and her clients before “activewear” as we know it was a thing.

“It was only supposed to be for me to wear to my classes — no one else,” she says of her early designs, created at home on her dining table with swimsuits and a pair of scissors.

“But the women in my classes had other ideas — they loved what I was wearing so much that they convinced me to make some for them, too.”

One day, she stood in front of her class, looked around and realised every one of them was wearing one of her designs. Clarkson resigned from her job the next day and hasn’t looked back.

She had “no idea” just how popular her fitness gear would become with women in Australia, New Zealand and around the world.

Lorna Jane Clarkson is credited with coining the phrase "activewear". Photo / Supplied

“I couldn’t have imagined when I first started designing and sewing activewear on my dining room table 35 years ago that Lorna Jane would now be a thriving global brand.”

A few decades on, Lorna Jane is a household name — you’ll spot her signature logo of 3 slanted squares, formed from the stylised letters L and J, everywhere from the gym to the beach.

Activewear is a wardrobe staple for countless women globally, and according to Clarkson that’s not likely to change anytime soon.

While she’s “not here to predict trends”, activewear in 2025 doesn’t look too different from that room full of women wearing her clothes in the late 80s.

“Activewear is actually getting closer to how I envisioned it 35 years ago.

“The casualisation of fashion in general is giving women more opportunities to dress for comfort — and they are choosing their activewear over everything else.”

Clarkson counts opening her first store, expanding into New Zealand, the United States and Singapore, and designing the world-first “squat-proof” leggings among the highlights.

“But I guess the big one is being credited with coining the phrase ‘activewear’.

“It came from simply wanting to design clothing that women could put on in the morning, wear all day and just be active.

“I often look back and think that if I’d known how big the activewear category would become, I would have been more imaginative with the name,” she jokes.

As for lessons learned along the way, “I think the biggest [one] has been to always trust your instincts and stay true to your vision, even when the world around you is changing”.

Her advice to other aspiring female founders? Don’t wait for the right time to start, because it might never arrive.

“So often, we hold ourselves back because we’re waiting for that perfect doing what we love, but the truth is, it will never be perfect — nothing is.

“My advice is to take that first step, learn as you go, and don’t be afraid to fail — because that’s where the real growth happens. Life is too short to put your dreams on hold, so set goals, gather some courage, and go out and make it happen.”

Lorna Jane Clarkson pictured with husband Bill Clarkson.

Looking ahead, Clarkson says, “There’s still so much I want to do”.

“For the business, it’s about focusing on being the best at what we do rather than the biggest — we want to lead the way, in design, innovation, technology and sustainability.”

She teases some “exciting new projects” and clothing collections set to launch in Lorna Jane stores and online this year, the details of which are tightly under wraps.

“If I told you, I’d have to kill you, so you’ll just have to wait and see,” she jokes.

As for Lorna Jane herself, she’s still fine-tuning the art of “getting the balance” right between work and life.

“But who am I kidding — name me one person who’s mastered balance so far?

“I’ll keep trying and enjoying the process along the way.”