Lululemon Athletica Inc. founder Chip Wilson’s comments about the brand’s approach to diversity have sparked controversy. In a recent interview with Forbes magazine, Wilson said, “Lululemon is trying to be everything to everyone. But you have to be clear that you don’t want certain customers.”
The sportswear company, founded by Wilson in 1998, had begun launching more inclusive campaigns in recent years, showcasing different ethnicities and curvier body types. Wilson criticized these changes, commenting that people in the new campaigns look “unhealthy”, “sickly” and “uninspiring”.
This is not the first time that Wilson has faced criticism for such comments. In 2013, he responded to criticism of some Lululemon pants by suggesting that some women’s bodies were not suitable for the brand. This led to strong reactions and ultimately to his resignation as CEO. By 2015, he had completely distanced himself from the company, although he still holds an eight percent stake, making him Lululemon’s largest individual shareholder.
In a 2004 interview with the Canadian business magazine National Post, Wilson said he came up with the brand name with three ‘L’s’ because that letter does not exist in Japanese phonetics. He further said, “It’s funny watching them try to say it.”
In response to his recent comments, a Lululemon spokesperson said: “Chip Wilson does not speak for Lululemon, and his comments do not reflect the views or beliefs of our company.”
The spokesperson also confirmed that the company is committed to creating and promoting an inclusive, diverse and welcoming environment across the organization. (AFP)