Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Lululemon Press Release: Strategic Organizational Changes to Elevate Design and Innovation.

by Cristina

Lululemon announced today that they’ve made strategic changes to their creative executives and eliminated Tara Poseley’s roll as Chief Product Officer who will be leaving the company, and added the roll of Creative Director and are blending the design direction of both Men’s and Women’s. Lee Holeman has been named as Executive Vice President and Creative Director. Dr. Tom Walker has been promoted to Senior Vice President of ‘Whitespace’ (basically R&D). Dr. Tom Walker has an interesting video on youtube talking about product innovation in athletic apparel if you are interested in watching, Stretchy Pants and Margin Gains. It really gives you an idea of the direction the company is headed in R&D and some of the sports psychology behind the rebranding of the pants wall and repricing. 

I really respect the field of margin gains in sports but I wonder if that matters to you as wearers of Lululemon? Are you finding the urge to be so competitive that your sports wear is the pivotal difference in your performance? Those of you that are marathoners, ultra marathoners and triathletes? I definitely think this fills a niche for Lululemon that they’ve been needing to set themselves apart from their competition which is quick on their heals. R&D is the #1 way to give their product value to investors for sure. That and patents and trademarks which Lululemon did not do at the start (which Kit and Ace has been wise to do).  It makes the brand image more valuable to investors but will it do the same for you as customer? I’m finding myself gravitating to brands that are offering the same comparable adequate (and even superior) functionality and the same design focus but with better value vs. gravitating to the more highly technical brands. Maybe the interest with the highly technical will grow on me with the marriage of design, but there is absolutely a price threshold for me as a consumer and none competitive athlete. There are brands that are competing with Lululemon that are more fashion focused and high street, and there are brands competing that are more technically focused and the cost for those brands varies wildly. The one thing I have always had an appreciation for Lululemon for is the value, and the perceived value of the product. It seems they are wanting to grow themselves out of the high street athletic apparel market but I’m not sure all customers will grow with them. 

Another thing of note is the greater focus on the men’s line over the women’s line (hasn’t women’s been languishing this Fall so far?) which is reflected in this new merging of men’s and women’s design executive teams. Uploads with men’s product featured on the landing page, social media pages directed at male customers, product alert emails focusing on men’s line and much less visual marketing to women or social media merchandizing photo shoots. Is it a coincidence that the executive changes are now male focused? They’ve made so many changes to their head office employees and I’m seeing so many familiar female names leaving the company over the past 6 months. I realize that they are broadening their brand laterally into mens and Ivivva since that is where they are seeing growth and women’s but I am missing some of that estrogen driven aesthetic. 

What do you guys think? What do you think this means for the brand and future designs? 

lululemon Announces Organizational Changes to Elevate Design and Innovation


Lee Holman Appointed as Company’s Creative Director

VANCOUVER, British Columbia–(BUSINESS WIRE)– lululemon athletica inc. (NASDAQ:LULU) today announced strategic changes to its organizational structure that further elevate and reinforce the Company’s design and innovation-driven brand focus.

Lee Holman, formerly Senior Vice President, Women’s, has been appointed as lululemon’s Executive Vice President, Creative Director, effective immediately. In this new role, Mr. Holman will oversee both Men’s and Women’s product design and will report directly to lululemon’s CEO, Laurent Potdevin.

“Standing out requires a fierce commitment to constant innovation in functional performance. Our unwavering dedication to a singular design vision and craftsmanship has made us the global market leader in the category we’ve created and continue to define,” said lululemon’s CEO, Laurent Potdevin. “Changes to the organizational structure, including the new role of Creative Director, are critical to executing upon our 10-year vision,” added Mr. Potdevin.

As a result of these changes, lululemon has eliminated the role of Chief Product Officer. Tara Poseley, who joined the Company in October 2013 as Chief Product Officer, will be leaving the Company after a transition period. “We greatly appreciate Tara’s contributions, including the build-out of strong product, innovation, and merchandising teams, and we wish her continued success in the future,” said Mr. Potdevin.

The establishment of a Creative Director position will further unify Men’s and Women’s design under a singular creative vision, strengthening the design ethos of the brand. Mr. Holman joined lululemon in 2014 with 20 years of design and leadership experience, including senior positions at Nike, where he served as Creative Director of Nike Sportswear and most recently as Vice President of Global Apparel, Innovation and Equipment Design Men’s & Women’s. Prior to Nike, Lee was Creative Director for high profile brands such as Burberry, and spent several years at Abercrombie & Fitch, Levi Strauss & Co, and Paul Smith. Mr. Holman obtained his MA Fashion Design from Central Saint Martins. Felix del Toro, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Men’s, will continue to oversee the Men’s business and will report to Mr. Holman.

Dr. Tom Waller has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Whitespace™ reporting directly to CEO Laurent Potdevin, further reinforcing product R&D and innovation as the core pillar and growth driver for lululemon. Whitespace, lululemon’s team of scientists and engineers, will continue to drive long-term innovation. Prior to joining lululemon in 2012, Dr. Waller was Head of Aqualab at Speedo International. As Director of R&D at Progressive Sports Technologies, he provided strategic consultancy to global brands, as well as federation and elite athletes.

Stuart Haselden, Chief Financial Officer, will assume broader operational responsibilities adding Executive Vice President, Operations to his title. As operational excellence continues to be a key priority, lululemon has begun a search for a newly created position of Chief Supply Chain Officer reporting into Haselden, who will be responsible for continuing to optimize the company’s scalable, global supply chain across multiple categories.

About lululemon athletica inc.

lululemon athletica (NASDAQ:LULU) is a yoga-inspired athletic apparel company that creates components for people to live long, healthy and fun lives. By producing products that help keep people active and stress free, lululemon believes that the world will be a better place. Setting the bar in technical fabrics and functional designs, lululemon works with yogis and athletes in local communities for continuous research and product feedback. For more information, visitwww.lululemon.com.

ICR, Inc.
Investors:
Joseph Teklits/Caitlin Morahan, 203-682-8200
or
Media:
Alecia Pulman, 203-682-8224
[email protected]

Source: lululemon athletica inc.

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43 comments

Anonymous October 22, 2015 - 2:44 am

I have started to move away from lulu products due to poor quality especially in the bottoms (eg see through, inconsistent sizing, lack of material matching, etc.) I think with new companies becoming available through Nordstroms in Canada (e.g. hard tail, etc), Karma athletics from Vancouver and Liquido (from Brazil however, my local athletic apparel store carries this amazing line). Canadian consumers are being ignored while Lulu goes after the all mighty dollar in other markets and we need to stop supporting a company that clearly thinks of us last.
Yes, I still love some Lulu products but even the CRBs are poorer quality now. There are so many options that unless Lulu improves product quality, it does not matter how they market themselves, it is time to leave and go for better quality products. They can claim they want performance quality but they have to prove themselves to those of us who have stuck with them and been very disappointed.

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Anonymous October 22, 2015 - 5:07 am

I just started wearing Lulu this past year while I was looking for running pants with decent pockets. So few brands pay attention to the details that I look for when running, going to the gym, and doing yoga. Surprisingly very few brands look into the details that Lulu adds Lulu is priced about the same as other comparable athletic brands (Nike, Lucy, Lole, Sweaty Betty, etc.) and the quality issue, although annoying, it isn't limited to Lulu. However, unlike its peers Lulu has the WORST return policy which needs to be fixed asap.

I think Lulu maybe focusing more on its athletic function. Personally I love this. I also like Lulu's current style. I still feel feminine but can function for a 6 mile run or an Insanity class. Being new to Lulu I've always thought this was the brands focus. I didn't know people would wear Lulu casually until recent months. Especially since its priced like its athletic competitors.

I'm always on the lookout for athletic clothes that fit my needs so I'm not Lulu exclusive, but again I like Lulus style and how it fits my workout needs. For example I'm looking for a running vest with a hood, reflections, and some insulation and I'm surprised how few brands do this.

Although my spouse isn't sold on brand, it would be neat to for me to grab him some gear while we're out. I'm curious many men buy Lulu clothing.

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Melsy October 22, 2015 - 1:49 pm

You really hit the nail on the head regarding Lulu's need to change their ridiculous return policy immediately!

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Anonymous October 22, 2015 - 9:00 pm

Uhh, they changed their return policy awhile ago. You can return it if it's not performing as expected. I've had no problems returning items.

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Sam October 22, 2015 - 10:15 pm

I agree with Anon @ 2:00 PM. They let me damage items out whenever I'm having issues and my local store (since they know me) even take back NWT returns if it's been over two weeks. Often, if I pay with GC they will put it on my CC, or instead of giving me a GC for a damaged item will put it on my CC instead. Overall, I've never had a bad experience returning to Lululemon. Maybe if you're not near a store it's different, but the GEC will still take back any underperforming gear and let you send it in free of charge. I've had much worse experiences with companies like Athleta who claim to be more leniant with returns.

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Melsy October 23, 2015 - 2:50 am

Anon @ 2:00 PM – Uhh, I saw that they have supposedly changed their return policy if items don't meet expectations and yet I continue to read reviews where stores refuse to take back items that didn't stand up well. Also, a two week return policy is unreasonable. Maybe some stores will take items back after two weeks, but this is not Lululemon's policy, so you can't count on that happening. They should increase the time frame to thirty days.

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Anonymous October 23, 2015 - 12:13 pm

agree Melsy! The return policy and "niceness" of the educators isn't across the board and consistent, that is the problem!
Just because one store is great and accepts returns all the time, doesn't mean they ALL do it. I keep saying this, they still are fundamentally snobbish about returns. I STILL get the upturned nose when I want to do a return in the store. When I needed to return some pants for having the unacceptable plastic things sticking out of the waistband, I had to PROVE that I wasn't using it for some *unapproved* activity.
It's just ridiculous and while I used to be exclusively Lulu, I'm definitely purchasing more items from other companies this past year and will phase out Lulu entirely once and for all.

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Anonymous October 22, 2015 - 9:55 am

I totally agree with all the above comments about Lululemon having functional product i.e. run bottoms with good pockets, etc. Other brands are aesthetically pleasing but often lack this functionality. I am not a pro-athete and neither are many people out there. But I do like to be able to do my activities with the convenience of padded tops, pockets, zippers, ear-bud tunnels, etc and also be able to look good – whether it's walking to the grocery store, or going for a run. I don't care about feeling hugged or naked, and I don't want a glorified pair of SPANKS to hold me in. I hope that Lululemon will get better with these changes, but who knows. If they end up branching out into ridiculousness, I hope other brands will adopt more functionality into their designs. There are a ton of other brands out there. I've started to drift away from Lulu and for my lifting workouts use Better Bodies – not any cheaper, but I like their stuff.

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Lulumum October 22, 2015 - 4:10 am

For some reason this comment didn't get posted but is in my inbox:

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Lululemon Press Release: Strategic Organizational …":

I agree with anon7:44. And despite being from the almighty dollar, I don't think of LLL as "high quality" AT ALL. Not compared to a long standing, transparent company such as Patagonia, who treats their employees as human beings. I've been wearing LLL for less than 5 years. To me it's fast fashion high end style (about half the time. The other half is a total miss) exercise clothing that is quite expensive considering the lack of quality control. I also think the constant product drops has created a Pavlovian response in its fan base (notice I did not use the word customer. I think they have demonstrated very little respect for their customer base due to one too many instances lacking in accountability – which MAY be in the past. Or not. I see LLL as the cat toying with us, the mouse. Sorry to be so blunt but I often feel like a sucker for wearing so much LLL). The weekly product drop in turn creates the Fear Of Missing Out, which is now a result of the times we live in: social media, which LLL is tapping in to to propel its desirability (like many companies), creating a caché.
I watched the video. (Thank you for providing a link) I think LLL is levitating with all their meditating – in to some delusional state. I don't see this company clothing Olympic athletes any time soon if they can't even make decent gear for a growing body consciousness movement (in some ways great) that is gaining traction within a certain price point group willing to pay.
I hope my comments here have not offended anyone. I'm reading this blog because I do wear LLL, but I do so casually. I'm disabled so I'm looking for comfort without looking like a total slob. But I'd still like my pants to be opaque!

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Anonymous October 22, 2015 - 6:56 pm

I agree with you! It is not as high quality as many customers believe it to be. The price is not justified at all. People are paying for the name. Don't get me wrong, I purchase a lot of Lulu, but I don't drink the kook aid that is for sure. I totally agree with you about the way they treat their customers and that they toy with us. I love how you said they play a game of cat and mouse and we are the mouse! I totally agree! I don't want to be insulting to anyone but I think there are way too many Lulu customers who are so far gone drinking the kook aid that they refuse to see Lululemon for how it really is.

I don't think the way they want to head is going to serve them as well as catering to the more casual customer. I can't speak for others, but I don't look for high end olympic level apparel, I just want feminine cute clothes that work well for my casual physical activities (yoga, gym, hiking walking,etc all for fun) as well as casual wear around home and running errands, etc. I don't think I'm in the minority here. Are there really that many customers looking for that much more than this from Lululemon?!

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LuluAddict October 22, 2015 - 6:00 am

Interesting video. Potdevin seems to be stocking his upper management team with fellow Europeans. I definitely wouldn't mind a focus on more technical aspects, which I think has been missing for the past few years. There are a ton of fashion brands now – Koral, Michi, etc., that all look sexy as hell but a lot of their tops would cause a lot of women a nip slip with any sort of movement. Lululemon products have a lot of useful technical features – like tons of pockets on run bottoms, two way zippers on pullovers, ipod cord tunnels, cuffins, flat seaming everywhere – that people really appreciate and make it hard for people to stray to other brands that don't offer these features. They need to do a better job of communicating to people all the technical features their products have – and their competitors don't – they are the reason people get hooked on and stay loyal to the brand.

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Lulumum October 22, 2015 - 6:40 am

I do love those features and that has been why I stick with lululemon for the most part and what has given them that 'value'. I'm not sure about some of the innovative pants they put out a few months ago under the new pant wall remodel. The compressive pants where great but the 'zone in' crops where terrible as was the price point increase and language. I think the Zone In Crops/Pants and the All The Right Places Crops/Pants were not a hit overall. If that is the fruition of a focus on innovation, I'm not warm to the change. But we'll see I guess.

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Anonymous October 22, 2015 - 7:02 pm

I completely agree, Lulumum.

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Anonymous October 23, 2015 - 2:53 am

I actually really don't like Koral and Michi at all, and anything Lululemon has come out with that resembles anything like that is a turn off to me. Not at all the kind of stuff I want to see from Lulu. I don't even think it's sexy, it's actually cheap and trashy looking. I also don't like the more technical looking brands like Nike, etc, it isn't at all the kind of stuff I want to see from Lulu either. Lululemon had a good thing going years ago but they are slowly but surely ruining it. Luluaddict, you're right they do have some great technical features already and those great features were always combined with cute and feminine designs – this is what made Lululemon such a hit. They shouldn't be trying to fix what isn't broken, although, they've already been straying away from what they used to be for a few years now and seems like it's only going to get worse by the sounds of things. But, like Lulumu said, I guess we'll have to see….

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Anonymous October 22, 2015 - 5:01 pm

I would like to see Lulu expands its market to other competitive sports. While I understand they cater to yoga and running, they are TONS of other types of athletes that wear the brand for their sport(s) and Lulu doesn't seem to interested in catering to them. The first "sport" that comes to mind is CrossFit which has a huge media presence and most of the female athletes live in Lulu (Free to Be Wilds bras, WUs, boogie shorts, speeds, etc.). There are weighlifters and powerlifters that wear lulu. Heck, I've even see Ronda Rousey wear Lulu bras during her fights! These types of athletes need bigger sizes (past 12), more room in the arms (because biceps), and items that will function appropriately (like WUs staying up during explosive movements). Just a thought.

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Lulumum October 22, 2015 - 6:18 pm

Thats a really good point. I was thinking about it in terms of fabric technology and not fit but fit is a very good point and definitely something they can be better at in terms of athletic fitting shoulders.

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strawb3rries October 23, 2015 - 5:04 pm

I agree so much!!! But crossfit is still in the middle of some sort of contract with Reebok. Nike got around this by calling their crossfit shoe a "MetCon". You turn, lulu! Give us "gym gear"!

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Anonymous October 22, 2015 - 7:58 pm

I could care less about my performance. And that is coming from someone who often brings home the hardware (or pint glasses and maple syrup, as practically preferred). What I care about when it comes to my activewear is comfort (no chafing or riding up), durability (vintage Lulu, not the crap that is pretty much borrowed until it falls apart and I return it), and swagger (am I the cute one in the fun outfit who is having a blasty blast). If Lulu starts bailing on style to appeal to the very tiny elite athlete crowd, they will lose the flair that brought us there.

I just shelled out $198 for the Dark Fuel Fleecy Keen Jacket. I oogled it for the past 2 seasons and finally bit the bullet. THIS is style meets technical function. The price (despite what reviewers say) is the same across all 3 releases. It is worth that $. If Lulu puts out that combo on their upcoming activewear, I will buy. I'll just buy less as it may cost me more.

About the dudes… I know there are many Lulu gents out there, but really, most guys could care less about quantity. My guy will buy a couple items to cover function and season. Then he'll wear the poo out if it until he needs a new one, which is a difference of opinion between us. 😉 Babe, you gotta get a new ____. I know, but I love this one and it still works. Yeah…. riiight… 😉

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Anonymous October 22, 2015 - 9:27 pm

Totally agree with you about the dudes, lol. They're not the ones who are going to be buying stuff up in every new colour, etc. They normally only buy what is needed and no more until worn out. Catering more to the men and to the tiny elite athlete crowd is not in their best interests, in my opinion.

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Jenny Lee October 22, 2015 - 8:32 pm

I understand what everyone is saying here. I own A LOT of Lululemon (true addict) and i have seen great quality to the slowly declining quality of items. I recently tried and bought the All the right places crop and thought – wow, the quality is back with a sticker price of $118 though, but love the pants. As far are return policy, they have improved IMMENSELY. I live in San Jose, CA and the girls don't make me feel bad for returning items, or with no receipt. I have returned items from last year from items i wore once because the seams were digging in…and they listened and gave me the full value back. Their return policy has improved by leaps and bounds…at least in my area. So, although, they increase most of their prices, they are making up for it in their customer service.

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Anonymous October 22, 2015 - 9:02 pm

I don't think that should justify the price increases. I want to be able to buy something that I do not have to end up taking back. If I have to take something back because it has failed then that is not my fault that the quality was not there. I shouldn't have to pay so much more so that they will take back items that fail miserably.

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Anonymous October 22, 2015 - 9:05 pm

or pay so much more for more acceptable customer service. The customer service should be expected to be great regardless.

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Anonymous October 22, 2015 - 9:09 pm

Plus, the quality should have been there at the prices we were paying before all the price hikes. I expect excellent quality from a $98 Scuba or Define (what they used to be) and $78 or $88 crops $98 pants, etc

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Anonymous October 22, 2015 - 9:46 pm

It breaks my heart every time I have to return a defective item as there's no replacements. I so carefully select what I'm willing to buy to begin with that easy returns are both a blessing and a [coverup] curse.

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Anonymous October 22, 2015 - 10:10 pm

(I'm anon 2:02/2:05/2:09 above) I agree anon at 2:56 PM – me too, I tend to fall in love with a lot of my Lulu, so the thing that bothers me most of all is when an item can't be replaced with the same. I have actually ordered items that have arrived with noticeable faults (usually something to do with sewing quality) and then by the time it arrives and the time I can return it to closest store the item in no longer available.

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Anonymous October 23, 2015 - 12:07 am

um yeah, I don't agree that the customer service has improved drastically or that its at all praise-worthy.
I've spent enough to buy a small car these past couple of years and I don't see ANY above and beyond customer service. Maybe your local store is great (lucky you) but I talk to lots of people in the DC and Atlanta areas where you have to beg and plead for a return.
Also, I shouldn't HAVE to return items in the first place if the items were just QC'd properly before sending out and if they didn't cheap out and use flimsy materials and stitching.
Again, I'm highly suspicious of anyone posting here that gushes over everything Lulu. Feels very fake to me.

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Anonymous October 22, 2015 - 9:28 pm

Thanks for the return policy info. everyone. This is something else they need to make more clear to their buyers.

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Lululover October 22, 2015 - 9:34 pm

I don't care that much about performance either, I'm not pro-athlete. If they start making clothes for Olimpic champions they'll loose me as a costumer due to price increase and clothes looking too technical for my liking. I fell in love with the brand because they seemed to have found the happy medium, cute, sexy clothes and not to techy like say Nike. I like lulu because I can wear their stuff from gym to lunch or run errands. I want them to keep it that way. As far as catering to other activities besides running and yoga I can't agree more. I used to do cross fit and now do curcuit training.and lift. I don't know about bigger sizes, although they can only encrease their sales if they offer a size 14 for instance . None of my crossfit friends wore bigger tha 8, but definitely need more room for bicep/shoulder area. Im not buying as much as I used to , but that's due to the fact that I already accumulated tons of workout and casual stuff. I hope these management changes will address quality issues. And it they extend their return policy to 30 days like other reputable retailers I would be very happy

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Anonymous October 22, 2015 - 9:49 pm

That's the one good thing about their changes. I have the most amazing pieces in my collection already. The new Mesh LS is cute in the back, but I have the Raspberry & Royalty Silver Bullet LS Tech tops (same purpose) which is waaay cuter. I find that newer releases don't make me churn my collection but adore it much more. 🙂

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Anonymous October 22, 2015 - 9:58 pm

I agree with you about liking Lulu because there was a happy medium, the clothes were feminine and cute yet functional. This is what I loved about Lulu. (I won't be sticking around either if prices continue to climb and things start getting too technical looking) I lalso loved the fit, they fit a woman's body better than a lot of the other brands. Although, the last couple years I had been noticing more boxy fits, which I do not like at all. Also, I don't do crossfit, but maybe a line especially for crossfitters would be an idea. I wouldn't want all the clothes to be geared towards bigger shoulders/biceps,etc. I don't do crossfit but I do have some muscle and even with some muscle I would be swimming in tops and jackets,etc with more room in those areas. Adding size 14 would be a good idea, as well as adding size 0. There are a lot of petite women who are tiny even with some muscle too. I can wear 2s and 4s and am by no means too skinny and I see so many women out there who are more petite than me.

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Lululover October 23, 2015 - 1:01 am

Oops I guess I should have specified what I meant by roomier shoulders/arms. If lulu comes up with a capsule for lifters that or crossfitters that might need more room in those areas, not regular clothing! I

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Anonymous October 22, 2015 - 9:34 pm

I am a fitness professional and professional dancer and have been involved in the fitness industry in one way or another more than half my long life; I have worn every brand of athleticwear under the sun and then some and to me, Lululemon stands up in a way no other brands can. I have pants that are ten years old that I still wear today and they look new AND I really put my clothes through the ringer. They have had some misses along the way, but who hasn't? Also, they are not as expensive as they seem. Michi pants run in the $150-200 range and Nike tights are almost all $150 for the true technical ones. Prices rise because at some point they have to no matter what, and I feel lulu's design and quality still warrant the attention. I am optimistic for the management changes and I am interested to see what comes from the further focus on R&D.

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Anonymous October 22, 2015 - 10:02 pm

Michi and Nike are ugly in my opinion. If others want to pay that much for their stuff then that's their business. I fell in love with Lulu a long time ago because they were different, not because they were like everyone else.

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Anonymous October 22, 2015 - 11:54 pm

no offense 2:34, but you sound like an Educator or an Ambassador. almost EVERYONE has a complaint about Lulu's failings though the past few years. I don't recall Nike, Under Armour, Athleta, ANY other company that decided to scam the consumer secretively the way Lulu did a few years back by cheapening the materials to save money. They are d*mn lucky they didn't lose every.single.one.of us.

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Anonymous October 23, 2015 - 2:05 am

I completely agree anon 4:54! Well said. I have stuck with Lulu over the years despite their faults, I'm definitely not a kool aid drinker though. I miss the old Lulu, I don't like how they've evolved over the last few years, and now especially where they seem to be going. The unjustified price increases that have been creeping up slowly along with the lowering of quality isn't acceptable, but I stuck through them, but since the recent hideous pants campaign and the blatant and shameless price hikes a couple months ago, I have for the first time been looking elsewhere to spend my money and have been giving far less of it to Lulu. If they keep this up they may not be getting anymore from me, and I don't think I'm alone.

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Anonymous October 23, 2015 - 3:48 am

I have pants that are nearly 10 years old as well that are in fine shape..however, it is the pants that are less than 1 year old that are terrible quality and falling apart. I'm upset that the quality just isn't there anymore, yet prices are increasing. That being said, it seems like everyone is charging high prices for "yoga pants" these days, take a look at even the Gap!

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Anonymous October 22, 2015 - 10:41 pm

I miss the old Lulu. I have this Lulu coat – probably the first one – more like a windbreaker with a double zipper – I have worn it EVERY fall for the last 10+ years. Newer Lulu is … feels disposable but at big prices. I think it has improved a bit – it did go through a TERRIBLE period. I bought a pair of crops in black with a pink shell stripe down the leg – forgot the name of them – and when I was out running SUDDENLY they tore in the middle of the thigh – not along a seam – no, right in the middle of the leg. GIANT hole. Lulu gave me a credit for them, but I did like the design and they were sold out. I have also pushed my finger right through some of the pants while putting them on making a hole. Again, they got returned for credits. But still.

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Anonymous October 23, 2015 - 2:12 am

Exactly. Shouldn't have to be returning things due to poor quality, and like you say, when we get something that we really love and something happens to it because of a quality issue, it can't really be replaced because that exact item is long gone by that time.

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Anonymous October 23, 2015 - 12:43 am

Interestingly, and somewhat sad commentary on gender in high level positions, is that none of the newly named execs are women…

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Anonymous October 23, 2015 - 2:16 am

I'm sad to see this as well. I think it will have a negative effect on the women's side of things for sure. It seems it was already starting to head this way for a while now sadly. When I first discovered Lululemon it felt to me like a women's company for sure, even though I didn't have a clue who was running things, it just felt that way to me, it's been losing that feeling slowly but surely, especially noticeable over the last few years.

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Anonymous October 23, 2015 - 3:31 am

Wait so I did not totally understand this, are they trying to make the clothes better quality and more for pro athletes or more fashionable and same quality ? Please someone explain!

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Anonymous October 23, 2015 - 3:36 am

I think there quality has gone up in the last month or so … not back to how it used to be, but better than it was a few years ago!

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Anonymous October 27, 2015 - 2:27 am

From what I gather the quality seems to be taking a step up. Their return policy abiet small is for a reason with their high product turn around… I get it, I do. It's not where it was many moons ago but I know that if there's a problem with my product they fix it or replace it no questions asked. I totally understand you pay more then most companies but at the cost of having even the option to fight for something you consider "faulty" or that didn't work for the purpose you bought it for – is a good thing. Most companies could give two shits about your pants or opinions to be honest, so the fact that they are at least attempting to find a resolve is something you should at least appreciate.

I'm not one to kiss the ass of the company but at least in my stores, they honestly put in the effort. The prices are getting higher but i know that in 6-8 months if something happens to my lulu they will fix it or replace it and with knowing that, I'll pay the extra 10-15$ now and reap the rewards later.

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