Lululemon’s billionaire founder slams the company’s diversity and inclusion efforts

Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Lululemon’s billionaire founder Chip Wilson blasted the company for prioritising diversity and inclusivity efforts over exclusivity. “You’ve got to be clear that you don’t want certain customers coming in.” This isn’t the first time Mr Wilson has courted controversy and expressed disdain towards Lululemon’s “whole diversity and inclusion thing”, with him having repeatedly sparked outrage over his anti-Asian, sexist, and fatphobic comments. “It’s really about the rubbing through the thighs, how much pressure is there.” A Maryland Lululemon store clapped back at the then-CEO’s comments in a poignant window display that said: “Love: cups of chai/apple pies/rubbing thighs?” It was soon taken down and Lululemon posted an apology on Twitter, now known as X, saying that Mr Wilson’s remarks were not reflective of the company’s stance. They claimed that the company would often deny Black employees promotions in favour of “less-qualified white counterparts.” The company responded to the allegations in a statement to BoF, saying they have “made considerable progress since launching IDEA, and we are proud of the goals we have achieved, which include maintaining a continuous two-way dialogue with our people.”