In an interview with Fast Company, Calvin McDonald – Lululemon’s current CEO – sat down and discussed the company’s efforts to move beyond the many problematic comments made by Lululemon’s founder, Chip Wilson. Head below to learn more.
Lululemon has had a rough go when it comes to issues regarding inclusivity – whether that is socioeconomic inclusivity, sizing inclusivity, or racial inclusivity. We reported in January on the comments made by Chip Wilson in a Forbes interview, where he spoke ill of Lululemon and its “whole diversity and inclusion thing,” in addition to accusing the company of not wanting “certain customers to come in.” Additionally, we reported in December of 2023 on the Peloton x Lululemon cobranded clothing line which received pushback from customers for its lack of inclusive sizing.
Yesterday, we ran an article about the petition brought about by Stand.earth, accusing Lululemon of misleading its customers into thinking they’re an environmentally sound company – the non-profit has asked Canada’s Competition Bureau to investigate the company for greenwashing.
Now, Lululemon’s CEO, Calvin McDonald, is trying to set the record straight on Lululemon’s efforts to move beyond the negative press it’s received, including from Lululemon’s founder, Chip Wilson, who stepped down from the company over 10 years ago.
When asked about Chip Wilson’s comments in his Forbes interview, McDonald said that Wilson doesn’t speak for Lululemon:
He may have started Lululemon, but he has not built this company. He has not been connected with Lululemon in any way for more than a decade. When he was last CEO nearly 20 years ago, revenue was around $80 million. We’re now approaching $10 billion in revenue. We have 35,000 employees, hardly any of whom were here in the organization when Chip was last CEO.
McDonald goes on to state that the company has moved “well beyond” Wilson’s “misguided” views, and that Lululemon wants everyone to feel they belong.
It’s important that McDonald steers Lululemon in the direction of inclusivity, especially given that in November 2023, an article published in Business of Fashion found Lululemon’s mistreatment of Black people – according to current and former employees – to be alarming.
More on Lululemon:
- Lululemon faces ‘greenwashing’ complaint from environmental group
- New year, same problems: lululemon faces backlash with latest advertisement
- Thousands of yoga instructors pressure Lululemon to clean up its act, quit coal
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