How Pip Edwards' staff tried to stop an artist entering her portrait in the Archibald Prize because it made the P.E Nation founder look 'OLD' - and the incredible steps they took to keep the painting secret

Leaked emails show P.E Nation founder Pip Edwards' staff refused to sign off on a portrait of the fashion businesswoman for the prestigious Archibald Prize because it it made her look 'old'.

Melbourne artist Lauren Ferrier, 25, told Daily Mail Australia she approached the prominent fashionista in late 2019 to ask if she would be her subject in the prestigious competition.

'She was overwhelmingly keen to have me paint her,' Ms Ferrier said, with the pair meeting in person.

Edwards has gained an enormous public profile this year since she started dating former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke after the breakdown of his marriage to Kyly. 

Together with the runaway success of her streetwear brand, her elevated image made her suitably well-known to be part of the high-profile Archibalds, which are Australia's most famous portrait prize.  

The young artist Ms Ferrier thought she had scored a career-building job, but was in for a rude shock when she emailed Edwards, 40, in July to ask for her signature on an entry form. 

Fashionista Pip Edwards, from Bondi Beach, is the founder of P.E Nation - a leading women's streetwear brand. Her high profile garnered her a portrait submitted in the Archibald Prize

Artist Lauren Ferrier painted this portrait of Ms Edwards for the prize, one of Australia's most prestigious art competitions. But Ms Ferrier claims she was told it made Edwards look 'old'

The signature was to confirm they had met, as per the Archibald's conditions of entry, with Ms Ferrier saying she had forgotten to bring the form to their initial meeting.

Emails obtained by Daily Mail Australia show that P.E Nation's global public relations manager, Louise Gaffikin, replied to Ms Ferrier on July 27 asking her to share an image of the portrait itself. 

'Pip just needs visibility on the image first,' Ms Gaffikin said. 

After Ms Ferrier sent a picture through, the publicist replied again on July 30, thanking her for her work - before going on to suggest the portrait wasn't right. 

According to the correspondence, Ms Gaffikin wrote: 'I am sure you have been working hard on getting this together.

'Which makes this email so hard to send, however to be transparent and honest, we won't be able to sign the consent form for the image to be put forward,' she said.

'Having worked so closely with Pip over the past 3 years, I just know she will not align with the imagery, I have to be honest and say she looks much older beyond her years in this photo.

'I don't think she could resonate with this painting and having it being put out to the public.'

The emails said Ms Gaffikin then went on to ask for a 'solution' - perhaps a portrait where Edwards looked younger. 

She also requested the artist delete an existing picture of the portrait from her Instagram page.

On left is the email Ms Ferrier alleges was sent to her by Pip Edwards' publicist Louise Gaffikin at the end of July, after she sought a signature on a form confirming they had met in person. On right is Ms Ferrier's reply

Power couple: Edwards is seen above with her partner, cricket legend Michael Clarke, at Noosa earlier this year 

Ms Gaffikin said such a solution would be 'just so she knows there is a new painting that can be done and submitted, perhaps with a more youthful feel, a true expression of Pip.

'Happy to send updated portrait imagery of Pip for reference,' she wrote.

Ms Ferrier said she was 'heartbroken' by the reply. She told Ms Gaffikin she was very disappointed with the response, and clarified that she didn't need Edwards 'approval' to submit the painting. 

The signature was simply to prove they had met, as per the competition's conditions, she said. 

Edwards eventually acquiesced and signed the form. 

But there was yet another twist to come. A few weeks ago, Ms Ferrier posted to her Instagram story that the portrait was for sale.

Activewear icon Pip Edwards needed 'visibility' on the Archibald Prize submission, Ms Ferrier was allegedly told

This is the message the purchaser - a woman named Jess - sent to Ms Ferrier after being sent the $400 portrait

Part of Ms Ferrier's reply. She goes on to warn the purchaser she will approach the media if she does not pay

A woman contacted Ms Ferrier and signalled her interest in buying it.

'My friend just me this as she knows how much I love Pip,' the prospective buyer said. 

'How much are you selling it for?' 

They negotiated a price - $400 - and Ms Ferrier sent it off in the post while awaiting her payment.

However, screenshots show the woman then claimed to Ms Ferrier that she had received a call from P.E Nation, warning her that Edwards had not signed off on her picture being sold and therefore she ‘couldn't process the payment.’ 

Outraged Ms Ferrier demanded payment and warned she would get the media involved.  

The woman who purchased the painting later told Ms Ferrier that Edwards was 'comforted that the painting has been sold to someone loyal who genuinely loves the brand'

'Pip's authority ended when she agreed to be the subject of the painting,' the artist told the buyer.

The purchaser replied that Ms Gaffikin was her roommate's friend and later added that she had a 'really nice chat with PE'. 

She said Edwards was now 'comforted that the painting has been sold to someone loyal and who genuinely loves the brand.

'They were concerned someone may purchase and then try and on sell to make money on the painting and not end up in good hands.

'They now no I have no intention of doing this and plan on keeping '. 

In an interview, Ms Ferrier told Daily Mail Australia she had worked for months on the portrait.

She said she didn't hear from Edwards again after sending her the finished product and understood if she didn't like it. 

'It's fine she didn't like it. It was just my own expression,' she said.

Rather it was that Team Edwards' move would've stopped her entering the competition, 'when I tried to put months and months of work into it' that upset her most. 

Daily Mail Australia approached Ms Gaffikin, Pip Edwards and the purchaser of the portrait, with written questions on Wednesday.