Some women are simply too fat to wear leggings, says Lululemon founder

06 January 2024 , 21:17

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Chip Wilson, founder of Lululemon Athletica Inc. made the comments in an interview with Forbes (Image: Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The former chief executive and founder of sports fashion brand Lululemon has caused controversy again after he criticised the brand’s focus on “diversity and inclusion”.

Chip Wilson, who stepped down as chief executive nine years ago, told an interview with Forbes magazine that when he was in charge he “did not want certain customers coming in,” later he added he didn’t want people who were “drinking Coke or Pepsi or eating McDonald’s” wearing Lululemon.

The latest comments from Wilson, 68, who still owns millions of pounds in shares in the yoga wear company, blasted his former business for chasing “diversity and inclusion” above exclusivity, forcing Lululemon to release a statement distancing the brand from its creator’s views and stressing it is proud to be diverse.

This is not the first time Wilson has courted controversy with his views on women’s bodies. In 2015 he had to step down as Lululemon’s chief executive after suggesting some women were too fat for its clothes, in remarks about how its leggings were becoming see-through.

Following his latest remarks Lululemon emphasised that Wilson has not been involved with the company since his departure. He said in a Forbes profile: “I think through this whole diversity and inclusion thing that they're trying to become like the Gap, everything to everybody.

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“And I think the definition of a brand is that you are not everything to everybody... You have got to be clear that you do not want certain customers coming in.” Executives of the company were 'fearful' of bad press coverage and lived in fear of backlash, he also claimed.

The company had to recall 17 per cent of its black yoga pants in 2013 due to piling which Wilson suggested was down to customers fat thighs

When Wilson headed up the fitness clothing giant sizes did not go above a US size 12. Speaking of those times he said he didn't want people who were 'drinking Coke and Pepsi or eating McDonald's' wearing Lululemon.

The billionaire launched the company in 1998 but resigned his place on the board of directors in 2015 after his comments that it was the fault of overweight women customers for making its leggings see-through and damaging the brand’s image. Despite his feelings about their stance on diversity and inclusion Lululemon's stock is still up nearly 60 percent over the past year.

In a 2013 interview with Bloomberg TV host Trish Regan he suggested that women's fat thighs were to blame for the pilling of the company's yoga pants and that was why the company had issued a product recall.

“It's really about the rubbing through the thighs, how much pressure is there over a period of time and how much they use it.' The founder's remarks caused Trish Regan to cut in and ask: “Interesting, not every woman can wear a Lululemon yoga pant?” Mr Wilson responded: “No, I think they can. I just think it's how you use it.”

Following this incident he stepped down as chairman but retained his seat on the board until 2015 when he stepped down from that as well. A spokesman for the firm said: 'Lululemon is committed to creating and fostering an inclusive, diverse and welcoming environment.'

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