If you‘re at all interested in fashion, fitness, or yoga, chances are you‘ve heard the name "Lululemon" tossed around quite a bit in recent years. This athletics-inspired apparel company has skyrocketed in popularity to become one of the most trendy and successful clothing brands out there. But you may have also seen it referred to by the longer name "Lululemon Athletica" and wondered what the distinction is. In this in-depth look, we‘ll explore the Lululemon brand, its history and rise to fame, and the difference between Lululemon and Lululemon Athletica.
The Lululemon Story: From Yoga Pants to Athleisure Empire
First, let‘s start with an overview of the company itself. Lululemon was founded in 1998 in Vancouver, Canada by entrepreneur Chip Wilson. Wilson had previously founded a surf, skate and snowboard clothing company in the 1990s. After taking part in a yoga class, he was inspired to create a more functional, athletically-geared line of apparel centered around the practice of yoga.
The first Lululemon store shared retail space with a yoga studio, establishing the brand‘s close association with the world of yoga from the very beginning. In fact, the company‘s manifesto includes the goal to "elevate the world from mediocrity to greatness" by helping people live longer, healthier, and more fun lives through yoga. This holistic, almost philosophical approach to athletic clothing helped set the brand apart.
Lululemon started out small, selling at yoga studios, gyms, and high-end fitness conferences. But thanks to the high quality, innovative designs, and unique fabrics used, the brand quickly gained a cult following, especially among women yoga practitioners. The most iconic Lululemon product that really put them on the map was the Boogie Pant, a flattering, technical yoga pant made from high-end nylon/lycra fabric. Retailing at nearly $100, these yoga pants were significantly more expensive than the average, but women were willing to shell out for their fantastic fit, comfort, and performance.
As Lululemon‘s popularity exploded in the early 2000s, the company was able to open more of its own stand-alone stores, expanding from Canada to the United States and eventually overseas. In addition to yoga clothing, the brand branched out into other sports and athletics, including running, training, cycling, and even casual streetwear. By marketing itself as a premium, fashionable "athleisure" (athletic + leisure) brand, Lululemon was able to charge high prices while cultivating an aspirational image and loyal fan base.
In 2007, after nearly a decade of success, Lululemon went public with an initial public offering on the stock market. The IPO was highly successful, valuing the company at over $2 billion. Founder Chip Wilson stepped down as CEO in 2005 and from the board of directors in 2015. Today, Lululemon is an international corporation, with hundreds of stores in over 15 countries worldwide. As of 2021, the company has a market capitalization of over $40 billion, putting it in the same league as long-established athletic giants like Nike and Adidas.
The Lululemon Difference
So how did Lululemon transform from a small Canadian yoga wear startup to a multi-billion dollar global brand? Let‘s look at some of the key factors that set this company apart:
Quality and Innovation
From the very beginning, Lululemon has been dedicated to creating high-end, technically advanced athletic apparel. They invest heavily in research and development to engineer their own proprietary performance fabrics and solve common issues with workout clothing, like pilling, bunching, sheerness, and moisture-wicking. Lululemon is known for the durability, comfort and fit of their products and has a loyal following willing to pay premium prices for the quality.
Community and Culture
More than just a clothing brand, Lululemon has always aimed to promote a particular lifestyle and set of values centered around healthy living, mindfulness, personal growth, and empowerment. The company fosters a sense of community through partnerships with local fitness studios, brand ambassadors, in-store events and classes, and philanthropy. Lululemon employees and leaders are encouraged to embody the brand‘s core values.
Scarcity and Exclusivity
Part of Lululemon‘s success lies in cultivating an air of scarcity and exclusivity around its products. The company is known for stocking limited quantities of new styles and retiring popular products to keep things fresh. They rarely have sales, outlet stores, or lower-priced lines. This brand positioning helps justify the high price tags and creates a sense of urgency and loyalty among customers eager to get their hands on the latest Lululemon gear.
Aesthetic and Authenticity
Lululemon‘s sleek, minimalist designs and subdued color palettes have helped make their clothing as fashionable as it is functional. The Lululemon "look," characterized by fitted silhouettes and high-end fabrics, is an aspirational aesthetic for many customers. At the same time, the company aims to stay true to its yoga-inspired roots, emphasizing comfort, simplicity, and authenticity. Unlike some "yoga-inspired" brands, Lululemon designs products that work for real, sweaty workouts, not just cute athleisure outfits.
Lululemon Controversies and Challenges
Of course, Lululemon‘s meteoric rise hasn‘t been without speed bumps. One of the biggest challenges for the brand has been some controversial statements made by founder Chip Wilson. He has been criticized for making insensitive comments about women‘s bodies and blaming quality issues on customer misuse. These incidents led to his resignation from leadership roles in the company.
The brand also suffered a major publicity crisis in 2013, when they had to recall thousands of pairs of too-sheer yoga pants. More recently, like many apparel brands, Lululemon has faced backlash over its reliance on overseas manufacturing in countries with poor labor practices. While still popular, these controversies may have dampened the company‘s formerly untouchable reputation.
From a business perspective, Lululemon also faces intense competition in the crowded athleisure market they helped pioneer. Rivals like Athleta, Fabletics, Outdoor Voices, and Alo Yoga have arisen to challenge Lululemon‘s dominance with similar high-end, yoga-inspired athletic clothing. Big sportswear brands like Nike and Under Armour are also muscling in on the athleisure trend. To stay ahead, Lululemon will need to keep innovating while preserving the premium brand image that inspires such customer loyalty.
Lululemon vs. Lululemon Athletica
So after learning all about the brand, you may still be wondering: what is the actual difference between "Lululemon" and "Lululemon Athletica"? In short, Lululemon Athletica is the full, official corporate name of the company, while Lululemon is the more casual, commonly used shortened version.
When Chip Wilson first incorporated the company back in 1998, he chose Lululemon Athletica as the legal business name. Athletica is a variation of the word "athletic," so the name quite literally communicates the brand‘s focus on athletic wear. However, from the beginning, the brand was referred to simply as Lululemon for short.
Over the years, "Lululemon" has become the go-to name used by the company itself, customers, media, and the general public. If you visit the brand‘s website, go to a store, or see their advertisements, you‘ll usually just see Lululemon, not Lululemon Athletica. The shorter name is catchier, easier to say and remember, and takes up less space on clothing labels. Officially, though, the company is still Lululemon Athletica Inc. for business and legal purposes.
You can think of it like someone who has a long full name but goes by a nickname. Lululemon Athletica is like the full given name on the birth certificate, while Lululemon is the shortened nickname everyone actually uses. Some dedicated Lululemon fans even affectionately refer to the brand as simply "Lulu."
So really, there is no major difference between Lululemon and Lululemon Athletica. It‘s just a matter of the full corporate name versus the shortened brand name. Using one or the other is usually a matter of context. For instance, you‘ll see the full Lululemon Athletica name used in the company‘s financial reports or official business statements, but almost everywhere else it will just be Lululemon.
The Bottom Line on Lululemon
Lululemon has undoubtedly become one of the most successful and influential brands in the athletic apparel industry. What started as a small Canadian yoga clothing company has grown into a multi-billion dollar international corporation, helping to pioneer the wildly popular athleisure style. Through high-quality products, an aspirational lifestyle brand, and a devoted customer base, Lululemon has weathered challenges to remain at the forefront of athletic fashion.
Whether you call it Lululemon or Lululemon Athletica, this company has certainly made its mark and shows no signs of slowing down. The next time you see someone sporting that iconic Lululemon logo, you‘ll know the story behind the brand that turned yoga pants into a status symbol and revolutionized the way we work out and dress.
