Lululemon Founder Criticizes Board Over Product Launch Failure
Lululemon Athletica Inc. founder Chip Wilson has launched a scathing critique of the company's board of directors, blaming them for what he calls a "total operational failure" in the launch of the Get Low collection. The Vancouver-based athletic apparel retailer recently paused online sales of the collection in North America following numerous customer complaints about sizing issues, poor fit, and see-through fabric.
Wilson's LinkedIn Post Details Board Failures
In a detailed LinkedIn post published Wednesday, Wilson made it clear that he believes the board bears ultimate responsibility for the product launch problems. "Despite any finger pointing internally following this mishap, this is not the fault of any hard-working employees. This is the fault of the Board," Wilson wrote in his social media statement.
The founder pointed to what he sees as a pattern of failures, noting that the company faced similar issues in 2024 with its Breezethrough leggings line, which featured a V-shaped seam that many customers found unflattering and which was eventually discontinued.
Board's Lack of Creative Experience Cited
Wilson specifically criticized the board's composition and priorities in his post. "It is clear that persistent failures like this are born out of this Board's lack of experience in creative businesses, disinterest in product development and quality, and focus on short-term, self-interested priorities," he stated.
The founder, who stepped down from Lululemon's board in 2015 but remains one of its largest shareholders, has become increasingly vocal about his concerns regarding the company's strategic direction, leadership decisions, and product innovation approach.
Company Response and Product Status
In response to the situation, a Lululemon spokesperson told the Financial Post that the company paused online sales of the Get Low collection last week to "review guest feedback and insights." The company has since updated product information and incorporated new guidance on fit, sizing, and features to better support customer purchase decisions.
"We take our guests' feedback seriously and value their input in shaping the products and experiences we create," the spokesperson said. "The Get Low collection is now back online and continues to be available in stores and in other markets."
Proxy Fight and Director Nominations
Wilson's latest criticism comes amid an ongoing proxy fight that began at the end of December, following the announcement that CEO Calvin McDonald would step down at the end of January. In a December 29 press release, Wilson declared that Lululemon is "special, but in need of change" and announced his intention to nominate three independent candidates for the board of directors.
The proposed nominees for the 2026 annual shareholders meeting (typically held in June) include:
- Marc Maurer, former co-chief executive of Swiss sportswear company On Holding AG
- Laura Gentile, former chief marketing officer of ESPN
- Eric Hirshberg, former chief executive of Activision, the largest segment of video-game publisher Activision Blizzard
Wilson's representative declined to comment further on the situation, but the founder's actions signal a significant push for governance changes at the athletic apparel company he founded.
