Lululemon founder Chip Wilson is not a fan of inclusivity.
According to Complex, the 68-year-old revealed he’s not for the “whole diversity and inclusion thing.”
He added that Lululemon’s current models look “sickly,” “unhealthy,” and “not inspirational.”
“They’re trying to become like the Gap, everything to everybody.”
The Lululemon Founder Wants Company To Change Standards
Wilson shared that he wants the company to change its standards and target a particular audience instead of going broad.
“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 founded the company and was its CEO until 2007 and chairman until 2013.
At the time, he drew controversy for saying “some women’s bodies just don’t actually work” for Lululemon’s yoga pants.
“It’s really about the rubbing through the thighs, how much pressure is there over a period of time, how much they use it.”
A spokesperson for the brand revealed that Wilson “has not been involved with the company since resigning from the board in 2015 and we are a very different company today.”
That said, the billionaire still owns eight percent of the company.
@bloombergoriginals The #billionaire founder of #Lululemon, Chip Wilson, discusses some of his more #infamous comments over the years. Watch the Businessweek Show by tapping link in bio. #business #founders #fashion ♬ original sound – Bloomberg Originals
Twitter reaction:
Lululemon ceo said he don’t want black people, asian people or obese people in his clothing omg that’s so bold
— Ҝ (@__kdash_) January 4, 2024
and
Please read what the Lululemon founder said about inclusivity. That’s another brand I can’t support at this point. Stop giving these brands your money when all they do is bash black/brown people buying their products.
— R. (@makeit_reyn) January 4, 2024
and
Lululemon too bold for me I will happily avoid them like I been doing.
I have a nice curvy shape that looks good in everything else.
— Jasmine The Great | Brand Strategy & Marketing (@lmTheReasonWhy) January 4, 2024
and
lmaoooo y’all was in an uproar about lululemon talking about now everybody wearing it and “it’s supposed to be exclusive” whole time the ceo gagging when he see us wearing it bahahaha
— 1:1 (@kaniyahikirah) January 4, 2024
and
This Lululemon topic is so interesting to me, mainly because so many CEOs/Creative Directors feel the exact same way Chip Wilson does. It’s also interesting that generally when someone says “diversity” we automatically assume he’s mainly or only referring to black consumers.
— thatgirl. (@chelseanicd) January 4, 2024
Anyhoo! Have you heard of Actively Black?
