For those of you not on Facebook, the Lulu Lab has created a new facts tab on their facebook page for those of you with burning questions. I love visiting the lab and think it’s a terrific space that does not feel like a retail space at all but an artists studio complete with visible seamstresses in the back and design boards. If your ever in Vancouver visiting it’s a worthwhile trip. Here is a copy of the facts page but make sure to check out the photo albums they have on their wall.

• What is the lululemon lab?

The lululemon lab, a combined retail and design space located in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Lab’s mission is collaborating to create components that innovate functional fashion.

• Who’s dream was this?

No big surprise- it was Chip’s. The lab is based off lululemon’s original store where designers, seamstresses and educators all worked in the same space. This open concept creates an environment where guests can feel free to give feedback on everything lululemon creates. We track all of this feedback so that the designers have a clear idea regarding what guests, athletes and fashionistas want in their wardrobe.

• Do we create custom clothing?

In a way we do, all of the clothing in the lab is exclusive to our location and cannot be found anywhere else, however the creations are a collaboration between the lab Designers, Product Coordinator and lab Director.

• Where do the designs come from?

The designs come from a combination of different places. Just to name a few; our guest feedback book & facebook tab, local fashion shows, local and international architecture, our walk-in guests, recent and past collections from some of the most famous designers in the world, art, music and nature. Needless to say our designers are constantly on the prowl inspiration.

• Do you have your own designers?

Indeed we do, the lab hire’s designers for 6-month contracts (with the possibility of extension). Since opening one year ago two designers have moved into roles at lululemon athletica in Product Development and as an Assistant Designer.

• What does the design process look like?

The Product Coordinator works with the designers to create a theme and line plan for the season (example the theme for Winter 2010 is Classic Independence), from there our designers create a vision board which includes pictures, sketches and words around their interpretation of that theme. From here they hit their workspace creating patterns for yoga, running and apres. From the pattern a sample (size 8 for women and size large for men) is built by a sample sewer, the entire team gathers around for the unveiling of a new sample (like Christmas). One of us will try it on and the rest of us will give feedback on the garment. After all the changes are made the sample is approved it goes into grading. This is where it gets fancy; the original sample pattern is graded to create sizes the style will come in (usually 2-12 for women and S-XXL for men). This process takes between 1-2 months.

• How do you decide what design’s make it to the big league (i.e. the stores)?

The lab design team meets with the designers and merchants at lululemon athletica to discuss items that we (and they) think are suitable for the stores. Some of the designs that have been adopted by the store’s are: the Insight pant, the PoloCrosse pant and the Yoga Harem Pant.

• What’s the deal with Fabric?

We share fabrics with lululemon athletica (http://lululemon.com/education/info/care); we pride ourselves on using every last piece in everything from circle scarves to the colorful bands in our ‘Build Your Own Groove Pants’ program. (Build Your Own Groove Pants allows you to chose 3 band colors (2 on one side and one on the inside) and put them on any of the 3 styles of reversible grooves (groove pants, wunder groove crops and groove crops) lululemon athletica offers.

• How do we decide which products are remade?

We generally make between 30-50 of each product that is designed. We are always changing the look of the store by creating new fresh and current styles. We pride ourselves on being an exclusive/ limited-edition brand for lululemon.

• Why do we only make a limited supply/Why don’t we ship or offer phone/online shopping?
• What’s the deal with hemming?

Like every lululemon location we offer 5-day complimentary hemming on all lululemon clothing, because of the nature of our location and our garments we do offer hemming 1-hour hemming on all lab creations.

• Are there more labs on the way?

Wait and see! You never know…

This is the Plum Run: Inspire Pullover. I think this one looks the busiest with the color blocking because of the added contrast. The Heathered Teal Zeal is not too color blocky so I’m pretty sure I’m going to pick that one over the same color in the Dash Pullover. The thing I’m uncertain about with the Dash is that it doesn’t look like it has the pretty ruched collar that I really love on the Inspire. Also, I’m unsure about the front seam details on the bust of the Dash pullover which scoops down at the bust. Just wondering what that will look like on so I’ll have to wait and see some pictures.

But I do really like the frilly detail at the sleeve.

I’ve been wearing my Lilac Run: Inspire Pullover all day today and love it so much that I need to get the Teal Zeal one as well. Huge improvement from the last batch but also they feel thinner to me so if your wanting to maximize warmth you may prefer the old batch. Personally I love the thinness of it because it makes the grossgrain cotton ribbon detail seaming underneath not be quite so raised and bunchy. Here is a picture of the improved zipper seam on the back pocket.
Heart Tank in Black and Space Dye Wunder Unders. I like the look of these Wonder Unders but would probably never wear them myself. The Heart Tank looks really pretty in black. I hadn’t even considered this one as I thought it would be too plain.

I’m thinking the black Heart Tank is the way to go for those of us that really wanted to love it but couldn’t in the dual tone versions.
And a couple shots of the Power Dance Tank in Space Dye

The Pima Tees are actually called ‘Live Simply Crewneck Tee’ which is why I had trouble ordering one from GEC last night. Here is my origional post on the ‘Live Simply Crewneck’

Heathered Plum, Teal Zeal, Heathered Wish Blue

A new color has popped up on the US site called Very Violet and seeing as it’s in the new Brisk Running items it should be available in other coordinating running items as well. Keep your eyes pealed on the Lululemon site as things are popping up mysteriously. Also noticed last night are Express Yourself Wraps (US site) in Heathered Wish and Heathered Plum but no pictures to show the colors. Some have ordered these already and are waiting to see if the order goes through.

Persimmon (New Run: Dash Pullover Color)

Thanks to a Pam for the picture and information on these. These are the newest Pima Tees called ‘Live Simply Crewneck Tee in Heathered Plum, Teal Zeal and Heathered Wish Blue. They are gorgeous and a hybrid of the 5yr Pimas and the Modern Crew Necks. They have the same fit as the Pima Tees so you don’t have to size way down like most of us did with the first Moderns. I sized down in my Moderns from a size 10 to 6 and really the 4 is the one that looks the best on me now (tried one on the other day).  They have the longer sleeves of the Moderns which is great because the Pimas were a little short for my preference. The logo is in the upper back and not the lower hip. Also, the weight of the fabric is in between the very thin Pima and the much thicker Modern.  The offset double side seam panels have now been changed back to what the Pimas were before. I didn’t mind the panel on the sides (without the color block) but some of you hated that. I like it this way as well. And the colors..Heathered Wish and Plum are gorgeous! Teal Zeal is nice too but I’m such a sucker for Wish Blue.

Thank you Lululemon for listening to feedback!

Live Simply Crewneck Tee

When I first saw the color Teal Zeal I was not at all interested in it because it looked too similar to the other Teals that have been out (Lagoon, Oasis) but then I saw it in person and it’s quite green..and then I saw it on an educator at Coquitlam Centre who has similar coloring to me (dark brown hair, green eyes) and it looked fantastic on her. I decided I hated the name Teal Zeal and much prefer thinking of it as a Jade Green. I highly recommend the Cool Racerback in that color and in fact I think my Static Plum is going to be returned for that one..although, wouldn’t it look so nice layered under the Static Plum Cool Racerback? Anyways, the heathered teal zeal pictured bellow is quite lovely as well. It looks like a milky  jade to me. She’s wearing the Inspire Pullover with the Run: Dash Tights.

See, pockets still there. It would be a huge shame if it had been removed. I just want to see that pocket sewn in top and bottom.

Here is a great picture of the Power Dance Tank on someone with a larger bust. I think this top looks really pretty on her. Wish Blue is another really great color. It’s pure blue and very energetic. I think it’s my happy color.


Heart Tank, I want to love you but I don’t think you work for me. I may need to drag someone to the store for an objective opinion on it.

In this picture bellow, on the left side you can see a bit of the rolling seam issue I had with the top edge of the static part. The two sizes I tried on where worse than this and on the inside front.

Love these straps.

Looks really pretty under this jacket. I really like how the static detail on this top looks under an open jacket. I want to try it on with my black or grey cardigans (Aritzia)

Belt it out pants. And this is the figure these pants will work for : ( Not sure what tank she’s wearing. Possibly a Push Your Limits. It’s not the new Centred Tank as there are not enough superfluous straps.


Pinnacle Jacket in Coal. Check out the Senorita Pink detailing.

And a first ever spotted Lilic Stride. So pretty. I like that it’s all one color and I’m feeling tempted by it. Especially if it’s brushed luon on the inside.

Some helpful details thanks to the GEC on the new Define pricing ($108). The Static Plum is brushed luon along the back body and collar, the Lilac and Black are brushed luon throughout. I’m wearing my Stride with brushed luon and have to say the extra price is worth it. It’s a different feel from the brushed luon stride from August (Static Wave Stripe) which was soft and thicker then the others but not as soft as the new brushed luon versions.

Thanks Laura from GEC for reaching out and providing the details.

For those of you that are thinking of getting the Lilac Inspire Pullover here are some good pictures of it.
Still has the chaffing cotton ribbon detailing as you can see. For those of you (like me) that would like to wear this fitted top as a base layer.