Current:Home > MarketsLululemon founder says brand isn't for everyone: 'You don’t want certain customers coming in'-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Lululemon founder says brand isn't for everyone: 'You don’t want certain customers coming in'
View Date:2024-12-23 16:22:41
Not everyone is meant to wear Lululemon apparel, the company’s billionaire founder told Forbes on Tuesday.
The yoga-inspired athletic apparel company’s former CEO, Chip Wilson has received another wave of backlash after saying the brand was “trying to become like the Gap, everything to everybody,” which, in his words, contradicts the notion of what a brand is.
“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,” Wilson told Forbes.
Wilson also expressed his dislike of the company's "whole diversity and inclusion thing" as well as stating that the people picked to represent the company in ads look "unhealthy," "sickly" and “not inspirational."
Stanley cup craze:The new pink Starbucks x Stanley cup is selling out fast
Verizon settlement:Who is eligible for $100 million Verizon class action settlement? Here's what to know
He also notes that the company's efforts to expand outside of activewear, into fashion-focused apparel like men’s dress shirts are "appalling," despite Lululemon's stock increasing by nearly 60% over the last year, according to Forbes.
The comments sparked an uproar of backlash on social media, something Wilson is no stranger to after stepping down as CEO amid similar criticism in 2013.
When asked about the recent remarks made by the company’s founder, a Lululemon spokesperson shared with USA TODAY Thursday that “Chip Wilson does not speak for lululemon.”
“His comments do not reflect our company views or beliefs. Chip has not been involved with the company since his resignation from the board in 2015 and we are a very different company today,” the spokesperson said.
Lululemon founder has history of problematic remarks
Wilson has faced scrutiny in the past over remarks he’s made about the company he founded, making controversial comments about women’s bodies, the use of child labor and Japanese people. He stepped down as Lululemon Athletica’s CEO in 2013, leaving the board altogether a couple years later.
As a result of all the public criticism he has hurled at the company in recent years, Lululemon Athletica stripped him of the ability to appoint a representative of the board in 2019, saying Wilson violated a 2014 agreement he’d signed, Forbes reported.
Here are a few remarks made during his tenure, as previously reported by Business Insider.
- Lululemon was the result of female education levels, breast cancer, yoga/athletics and the desire to dress feminine coming together all at one time.
- Wilson mocked said he picked the name Lululemon because he thought the difficulty Japanese people had pronouncing the letter ‘L’ was an extra marketing tool for the product in the country, stating, “It’s funny to watch them try and say it.”
- In a 2013 television interview with Bloomberg, Wilson said that his leggings “don’t work for some women’s bodies,” after the signature black yoga pants were pulled off the shelves after customers stated they were see-through.
- Wilson told a Canadian newspaper in 2005 that the extra fabric it would take to make plus-sized clothing is “a money loser, for sure. I understand their plight, but it's tough."
Lululemon's diversity push
As a result of the Black Lives Matter protests that occurred nationwide in 2020, the athleisure company pledged to “stand up and fund Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Action within the organization to support meaningful, lasting change in the world,” in a post on the company's website.
The company stated the movement “acted as a powerful catalyst" within Lululemon prompting conversations between senior leadership, underrepresented employees and the community at large.
The company’s 2020 plan included pledges to increase funding to DEI initiatives, expand employee training and increase diversity in the workforce.
A 2023 inclusion report released by the company showed it met its goal of increasing diversity among store workers to 40% by 2023, but missed its goal of reaching 30% diversity among directors and assistant store managers (27%).
veryGood! (8658)
Related
- DWTS’ Sasha Farber and Jenn Tran Prove They're Closer Than Ever Amid Romance Rumors
- The Chiefs got lucky against the Ravens. They still look like champions.
- Tzuyu of TWICE on her debut solo album: 'I wanted to showcase my bold side'
- Dating apps are tough. Is there a better way to find a match today? | The Excerpt
- Don't Miss Cameron Diaz's Return to the Big Screen Alongside Jamie Foxx in Back in Action Trailer
- Abortion rights supporters in South Dakota blast state’s video of abortion laws
- Man charged with homicide in killing of gymnastics champion Kara Welsh
- Meghann Fahy Reveals Whether She'd Go Back to The Bold Type
- Ex-Phoenix Suns employee files racial discrimination, retaliation lawsuit against the team
- Linkin Park Reunites With New Members 7 Years After Chester Bennington’s Death
Ranking
- Lions QB Jared Goff, despite 5 interceptions, dared to become cold-blooded
- Amazon says in a federal lawsuit that the NLRB’s structure is unconstitutional
- Jessica Pegula will meet Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open women’s final Saturday
- Get 50% Off BareMinerals 16-Hour Powder Foundation & More Sephora Deals on Anastasia Beverly Hills
- Deommodore Lenoir contract details: 49ers ink DB to $92 million extension
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch collabs with Hormel's Black Label in sweet and salty bacon launch
- These modern day Mormons are getting real about sex. But can they conquer reality TV?
- Michael Keaton recalls his favorite 'Beetlejuice' scenes ahead of new movie
Recommendation
-
Lou Donaldson, jazz saxophonist who blended many influences, dead at 98
-
Demi Lovato’s Sister Madison De La Garza Is Pregnant, Expecting First Baby With Ryan Mitchell
-
Residents are ready to appeal after a Georgia railroad company got approval to forcibly buy land
-
Ralph Lauren takes the Hamptons for chic fashion show with Jill Biden, H.E.R., Usher, more
-
Amazon launches an online discount storefront to better compete with Shein and Temu
-
Brenda Song Reveals Why Macaulay Culkin Romance Works So Well
-
Swirling federal investigations test New York City mayor’s ability to govern
-
Karen Read speaks out in rare interview with ABC's 20/20: When and where to watch