Lululemon Founder Tired of Diversity

Chip Wilson , the founder of Lululemon, is a Canadian entrepreneur known for his success in the athletic apparel industry as well as for his controversial statements that have sparked public debate and affected his company’s image – yet again.

Chip Wilson , the founder of Lululemon Athletica

Chip Wilson , the founder of Lululemon, is a Canadian entrepreneur known for his success in the athletic apparel industry as well as for his controversial statements that have sparked public debate and affected his company's image - yet again.

Born Dennis J. "Chip" Wilson in 1956, he grew up in San Diego, California, before moving to Vancouver, British Columbia. Wilson, now 68 years old, began his career working in the surf, skate, and snowboard business, which gave him insight into the world of athletic wear. He is married to Shannon Wilson, who is one of the original designers of Lululemon and co-founder of Kit and Ace with his son JJ Wilson.

In 1998, Wilson took notice of the rising trend of yoga and recognized a gap in the market for high-quality, stylish athletic apparel that could cater to this growing community. This led to the creation of Lululemon Athletica, a brand that would soon become synonymous with yoga and fitness enthusiasts worldwide. The company's first store opened in the beach area of Kitsilano, Vancouver, and it was not just a retail space but also a community hub where people could learn and talk about healthy living.

Lululemon's success can be attributed to its emphasis on quality materials, innovative designs, and a unique approach to customer engagement. The brand quickly gained a loyal following, and its products became a staple in the athleisure fashion movement. Despite the company's success, Wilson has been a figure of controversy over the years. His outspoken nature and several public statements have often led to criticism and backlash.

Since stepping down as Lululemon's CEO and Chairman of the Board in 2013, Chip Wilson owns about 8% of Lululemon based on his holding of common stock and exchangeable shares. In a recent Forbes article, he shared his feelings on Lululemon’s current business model — and criticized the company’s “whole diversity and inclusion thing.”

In a statement Wilson says, “They’re trying to become like the Gap, everything to everybody,” Wilson said “And I think the definition of a brand is that you’re not everything to everybody. … You’ve got to be clear that you don’t want certain customers coming in.” Forbes

In the interview, they did not say whether Wilson specified which customers Lululemon shouldn’t “want.” But the article quoted Wilson as saying some of the models in Lululemon’s ads appeared “unhealthy,” “sickly” and “not inspirational.”

Timeline of Controversial Statements by Lululemon Founder Chip Wilson

2005: Chip Wilson makes a remark about the Japanese pronunciation of "Lululemon," saying it was funny that they couldn't pronounce the "L" in the company's name. Business Insider.

2009: Wilson writes a blog post linking smoking and birth control pills to high divorce rates and suggests these factors contributed to the founding of Lululemon. Business Insider.

2011: Without informing his CEO, Wilson starts printing "Who is John Galt?" on Lululemon bags, a reference to Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged," which sparked customer outrage. Business Insider.

2013: In response to complaints about pilling Lululemon pants, Wilson suggests that some women's bodies "just don't actually work" for the brand's clothing. This comment leads to significant backlash and his resignation as Chairman of the Board. TIME.

2013: Wilson issues an apology video after his remarks about women's bodies cause an uproar. Business Insider.

2013: Wilson steps down as chairman following a tumultuous tenure marked by controversial statements, coinciding with the announcement of a new CEO, Laurent Potdevin. Business Insider.

Over the years, Wilson has made various problematic remarks about women's bodies, child labor, and cultural insensitivity, leading to public scrutiny and affecting his role within Lululemon.

Wilson's tenure at Lululemon has seen its ups and downs. He stepped down as chairman in 2013 following the fallout from his controversial comments about women's bodies and the quality issues with Lululemon products.

Despite his limited involvement with Lululemon, he continues to draw media attention for this offensive comments towards women.

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