Diversity? Be honest, some women are simply too fat to wear leggings, says Lululemon founder

It likes to set itself apart from other sports brands, cultivating a following among trendy, well-to-do yoga enthusiasts.

But Lululemon is now having to distance itself from one of its own people – after its now-departed founder criticised the brand for chasing ‘diversity and inclusion’ above exclusivity.

Chip Wilson, who quit as its chief executive nine years ago after making controversial remarks about how its leggings were becoming see-through, suggested some women were too fat for its clothes.

Lululemon immediately distanced itself from Mr Wilson’s latest remarks, saying he had not been involved in the company since his departure – and stressing that it was proud to be diverse. 

Mr Wilson, who still holds millions of pounds in Lululemon shares, said the firm’s new focus meant it was not doing enough to differentiate itself from fashion brands such as Gap.

He added: ‘I think through this whole diversity and inclusion thing that they’re trying to become like the Gap, everything to everybody.

‘And I think the definition of a brand is that you are not everything to everybody… You have got to be clear that you do not want certain customers coming in.’

Billionaire Mr Wilson, 68, launched Lululemon in 1998 but resigned from its board in 2015 after blaming overweight women customers for making its leggings see-through and damaging its image. 

Despite Wilson’s criticism, Lululemon’s stock is still up nearly 60 percent over the past year. 

In 2013, he apologised for suggesting that women’s fat thighs were to blame for the pilling of the company’s yoga pants.

A spokesman for the firm said: ‘Lululemon is committed to creating and fostering an inclusive, diverse and welcoming environment.’