Business Wars How Lululemon Won Athleisure | Mirror, Mirror | 2
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Oct 29, 2025 Explore the explosive growth of the athleisure market in the 2010s as Lululemon skyrockets to fame, only to face scandals over sheer pants and controversial comments from its founder. Discover the corporate turmoil surrounding CEO resignations and the challenges of maintaining brand identity amid fierce competition. Delve into Lululemon's ambitious pivot to tech with the acquisition of Mirror, and reflect on how new challengers are reshaping the landscape. Despite setbacks, Lululemon's global presence and resilient strategy keep it in the game.
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Founder’s Interview Ignites Backlash
- Chip Wilson blamed women's bodies for Lululemon's sheer pants issues during a Bloomberg interview.
- His comments sparked international backlash and intensified scrutiny of his past remarks.
The Founder’s Dilemma
- Founders' skills that build companies often differ from skills needed to run them at scale.
- Boards exist to protect shareholders from a founder's blind spots and enforce leadership change.
Board Ousts Founder From Chair
- The board removed Chip Wilson as chairman and announced Laurent Potovan as CEO in December 2013.
- Lululemon framed Wilson's exit as a resignation while choosing an apparel-experienced replacement.