Lululemon disavows founder Chip Wilson’s comments on diversity, inclusion

Lululemon is distancing itself from founder Chip Wilson’s latest controversial comments after he criticized the athletic clothing company’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

“Chip Wilson does not speak for lululemon, and his comments do not reflect our company views or beliefs,” a company spokesperson said in a statement. “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 company “is committed to creating and fostering an inclusive, diverse, and welcoming environment throughout our organization and across our communities,” the spokesperson added.

Wilson, who has previously landed in hot water over comments that have been deemed anti-Asian, sexist and fatphobic, lamented in a recent interview with Forbes that Lululemon is trying to become “everything to everybody.” 

“I think through this whole diversity and inclusion thing that 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.” 

“Lululemon really has that opportunity to become a brand, but in order to become a brand you’ve got to be clear that you don’t want certain customers coming in,” he added.

Wilson also suggested that the people in the company’s ads look “unhealthy,” “sickly” and “not inspirational.” 

The Lululemon founder stepped down as chairman of the company’s board of directors in 2013 after backlash to how he responded to criticism about some Lululemon pants being too sheer or susceptible to piling. Wilson suggested that certain women’s body types weren’t meant for Lululemon apparel.

“Frankly some women’s bodies just don’t actually work for it,” he said in an interview with Bloomberg at the time. “It’s really about the rubbing through the thighs, how much pressure is there over a period of time, how much they use it.”