Chip Wilson, founder and former CEO of the popular yoga and athletic apparel company, Lululemon Athletica, has stepped down as Chairman of the Board following some controversial comments he made last month suggesting that some women do not have the right “size” or “shape” to wear Lululemon yoga pants.
In March 2013, Lululemon recalled a style of their yoga pants after customer complaints about the fabric being too sheer. During an interview in November, Wilson stated, “Frankly, some women’s bodies just actually don’t work for it. It’s really about the rubbing through the thighs, how much pressure is there over a period of time, how much they use it.” These comments led to much criticism towards Wilson and the company. Instead of taking responsibility for manufacturing a product that did not meet expectations, Wilson suggested that it was the customers fault that the fabric was too sheer. These comments led Wilson to release an apology video, which was also faced with criticism for being what many thought was insincere. Before the controversy over Wilson’s comments, the company was also reproved for having customers who were returning their yoga pants, which cost between $70 and $130, bend over while wearing the pants in order to prove that the fabric was actually see-through before the style was recalled. Due to the constant controversy surrounding Lululemon this past year, sales and stocks of the company have seen a significant drop.
This is not the first time Wilson has made comments that have caused controversy. In a 2005 interview, Wilson said that Lululemon does not make plus sizes because they require 30% more fabric; therefore they would have to charge customers 30% more. Currently, Lululemon does not make sizes bigger than size 12. The average size of American women is 12-14.
News of Wilson’s departure from his position of Chairman of the Board comes with the company’s announcement of a newly appointed CEO, Laurent Potdevin. Potdevin was previously the President of TOMS Shoes. Despite Wilson’s departure, he will still remain a member of the board at Lululemon Athletica.
Photo Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12…