Lululemon Founder Steps Down from Board

Chip Wilson, the controversial executive who led yoga brand Lululemon from its founding in 1998 until 2012, has resigned from the board of directors.

“Upon returning from Australia, I saw that the company had lost its way and was driven by the wrong values,” Wilson said in a statement, referring to his sabbatical in Australia. “Trying to affect a fundamental shift in direction is hard and I had to raise a strong voice to make myself heard while taking decisive action to implement change. I am happy to say that I now believe the company has returned to the core values that made it great – product, brand and culture – and is back on track.”

Wilson had stepped down from his role as chief innovation and branding officer in 2012 to go on a sabbatical in Australia. The board brought him back in 2013 to help with the see-through yoga pants disaster.

But along the way, Wilson drew criticism for his comments about Lululemon’s yoga pants not working for some women’s body types. That led to his stepping down from his role as chairman in December 2013.