"The 70-year-old entrepreneur was at the forefront of the movement that turned women's activewear into everyday apparel. The booming athleisure market is estimated to reach $623 billion by 2030, according to a November 2025 report. And Lululemon is a big part of that market. Popular items, like the brand's leggings, develop cult followings and become status symbols among certain demographics, like Gen Z."
"Over the years, his comments about women's bodies, child labor, and the Asian community sparked outrage and eventually led to his ouster. After being heavily involved with the brand for over 15 years, Wilson resigned from the board of directors in 2015. Despite his exit, he's been vocal about the company's performance in recent years, frequently calling it out for underperforming compared to newer competitors. In December, he launched a proxy fight by nominating three new independent board members."
Chip Wilson founded Lululemon Athletica in 1997 after selling his first apparel company and led the brand that helped turn women's activewear into everyday apparel. His leadership made Lululemon a major player in the growing athleisure market and produced cult favorite items like the brand's leggings. Over time, Wilson's comments about women's bodies, child labor, and the Asian community generated outrage and contributed to his departure from the board in 2015. He has since criticized company leadership and in December nominated three independent board candidates in a proxy fight. Wilson's net worth is about $7.8 billion. He funds philanthropy and research into facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, diagnosed at age 32.
Read at Business Insider
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