Downward Dog, Perhaps

Lululemon: In an Uncomfortable Position

Fortune

Lululemon, the upscale retailer of yoga clothing, is doing great. Except when it’s not, which is becoming increasingly common — see the sheer pants crisis, the abrupt resignation of a CEO, a poorly-received job ad to replace said CEO, and a bit of media heat over a 2011 murder that occurred in a Bethesda store. And there’s no denying that Lululemon founder Dennis “Chip” Wilson figured out something stupidly revolutionary early on: Women’s exercise clothes should be made to fit women (not small men), and women will pay top dollar for what’s comfortable, durable, and stylish. Hooray! But in this brief investigation by Beth Kowitt and Colleen Leahey, it’s pretty clear that having an idea and running a company are very different things — and that Wilson may only sort of know how to do the latter.