Lorna Jane: ‘We have always done sizes above a 12’

Lorna Jane’s success is undisputable - but with great success comes great responsibility, and the businesswoman is the first to admit that she hasn’t always dealt with company dramas perfectly.

Lorna Jane Clarkson appeared on the TODAY show to discuss her new book, Love You, with Karl and Lisa. The presenters grilled her on everything from her life advice to secrets of her success, and even asked about the recent rumours that her clothing doesn’t go above a size 12. She cleared it up, telling Lisa:

“So we do extra, extra small to extra large. We have always done that.”

What sizes are they? How do they convert?” Lisa asked.

“Extra large is about an 18,” Lorna Jane replied. “But it is stretch fabric, I think a lot of women who are a bit more curvy don't feel comfortable in having really tight clothing on. 

“Something is on social media or something is in the press and suddenly all I do is a size 12. My goodness. All you do have to do is go into my stores, see people wearing the product.”

She also spoke of the backlash she received after advertising on her website for a size “small” fitting model:

“...it was a really tough time because I've spent all of my life wanting to inspire women and then the media - sorry guys - the media comes out and starts telling the world that you are something totally different and something that you would never say 

“I suppose part of the problem, though, was people - women particularly - who want to wear active wear and get fit may be don't come in a perfect size 10,” Lisa replied.

“Well, you know, I was advertising a fitting model which is - there was four ads on the site at exactly the same time asking for exactly the same thing,” Lorna replied. 

“But I think because I'm into fitness, the media just went - my thoughts on it are that the media took it as a chance to send this message, because it is a really strong message at the moment and I felt that they were using me. All I wanted was someone to fit the garments on and I was giving them a full time job. It was totally out of perspective. My mistake was that I didn't come out straight away and talk about it.”

Lorna also shared her advice to help more women believe in themselves, saying: 

“Focus. I think we are all so busy in our lives that we don't stop and think about where we are going and what we really want to achieve. And who is important. The most important piece of advice I could give anybody is to stop and spend a couple of minutes every day thinking what do I want to do with my life? What is important? It will change your life.


“People talk to me about work life balance and how do you balance this. I just look at it as simple choices every day. So you get up in the morning, you decide whether you are going to sleep in or work out. You decide whether you are going to pack a healthy lunch or buy take away. You decide whether you are going to stay back at work or get home and walk your dog an be with your family. It is just about those little choices. 

“I think if you can learn how to make good choices every day, then you will live a better, happy and more successful life.”