Non-Apology Watch: Chip Wilson isn't sorry that lululemon pants don't fit your body

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      The founder of lululemon athletica is back-peddling on statements he made during a recent interview on Bloomberg TV. In a video posted on the Vancouver-based yoga apparel company’s YouTube channel today (November 8), Chip Wilson says that he’s sorry—but not to his customers.

      “I’m sad. I’m really sad. I’m sad for the repercussions of my actions. I’m sad for the people of lululemon who I care so much about that have really had to face the brunt of my actions. I take responsibility for all that has occurred and the impact that it has had on you. I’m sorry to have put you all through this,” Wilson says to the camera. “For all of you who have made lululemon what it is today, I ask you to stay in the conversation that is above the fray. I ask you to prove that the culture that you have built cannot be chipped away.”

      Not sure if that last sentence was pun intended.

      On November 5, Wilson stated that in cases of see-through fabric and pilling, lululemon pants don't work for some women's bodies.

      “It’s really about the rubbing through the thighs, how much pressure is there over a period of time,” he told Bloomberg TV host Trish Regan.

      Since the interview, Wilson has faced a firestorm of criticism.

      A message from lululemon athletica founder Chip Wilson.

      Comments

      24 Comments

      andy sinclair

      Nov 8, 2013 at 6:33pm

      for goodness sake, give the guy a break. why are people trying to crucify him for stating the obvious. maybe instead of being hell bent on nailing him to the cross you should all take into consideration the amount of good work he has done. he employs nearly 3000 people globally, many of them in Vancouver.he is and has been for a long time , a huge benefactor to many communities in a variety of different ways. a similar situation would be a petite person walking into the Big and Tall store and saying "i like the styles you have here do you have any in my size and being told "N. sorry but that would look ridiculous on you" and that would absolutely be the correct answer. but in this day and age we have to be so politically correct all the time we have to have the ability to lie on our feet.

      Nomore Yogapants

      Nov 8, 2013 at 7:17pm

      I'm from Vancouver, where Lululemon started, and have enjoyed watching them rise to success. I bought my first pair of yoga pants in 2002 and have worn the pants a lot, yet they're still in near mint condition. That said, I'm completely pissed at Chip Wilson's comments. They demean women, and feed into societal pressures for us to be unreasonably skinny. There is nothing like a glib, arrogant, billionaire chairman to turn a brand completely sour.

      Lily lee

      Nov 8, 2013 at 7:40pm

      Does he care, who knows?? He should have said that in the first place. He is
      Commenting on some women's body is too fat them.

      Good grief

      Nov 8, 2013 at 9:15pm

      The people who keep jumping to the 'defense' of fat women are actually outing themselves as people who think there's something wrong or to be pitied about fatness. Or they wouldn't be upset. And if you do think there's something wrong with being fat, then for the love of god go on a diet and hit the gym, then go buy the motherfucking pants if they mean so motherfucking much to you. They're JUST PANTS, people.

      Arthur Vandelay

      Nov 9, 2013 at 6:43am

      As my wife is a devotee of LLL, this non-apology has gotten a lot of play in my house. We've both concluded that Chip must be mentally retarded for calling half his potential customer base fat whiny bitches who should stop making his pant look bad in public. Who does that? And then doubles down on it by apologizing to his employees, not the, ahem, larger gals? I'm no marketing guru, but would seem obvious Chipster, that your strategy could use a second opinion. Perhaps he's been partying with Rob Ford?

      uknow

      Nov 9, 2013 at 8:01am

      just stop trying to fit your fat ass into something inappropriate for you

      pilly

      Nov 9, 2013 at 9:14am

      All Chip is concerned about is how much money he makes. His product started off good but he has cut back on quality and it is now made of cheaper material and paying $100 for a pair of yoga pants that pill in 2 weeks is disgusting. I have never and will never buy anything at that store.

      What?

      Nov 9, 2013 at 10:09am

      @Arthur Vandelay

      "...calling half his potential customer base fat whiny bitches who should stop making his pant look bad in public."

      Chip Wilson absolutely did not say this. You did. What does that say about you? My god, what must you be like in general conversation with people?

      Alan Layton

      Nov 9, 2013 at 10:56am

      "why are people trying to crucify him for stating the obvious?"

      Two reasons: 1. he's successful and has made money. A lot of people will automatically hate him because they can't even come close to his intelligence and ambition. In other words, they are jealous of success in others. 2. Even though women demand to be treated as well, or better than men, they are still extremely vain and can't stand the truth that they might be overweight and can't wear some clothing. I'm a large man and can't wear skinny leg, or low cut jeans. So I accept it and wear something else. You see women (not society) create impossible expectations for themselves and other women. The ultimate insult that a woman can utter to another woman is that they are fat. Men don't really care much. I've never heard of man kicking a woman out of bed because her butt was too big.

      So I'm glad he didn't fully cave to the XX masses and if his company suffers as a result, then women are the ones to blame. It's time they faced up to reality - that they aren't perfect after all.

      Ann Morris

      Nov 9, 2013 at 11:05am

      If the pants can be ruined by seatbelts rubbing against the pants, or purses rubbing against the pants, or FTLOG, the PANTS rubbing against the pants, maybe the problem is with the goddamned pants.