Math teacher responds to Lululemon co-founder
A few weeks ago, Chip Wilson, co-founder of women's active wear company Lululemon spoke to Bloomberg News. Wilson kicked off a firestorm by stating that "some women's bodies just don't work" for their pants if their thighs rub together. His comments incensed women nationwide and motivated Ellis Upper School Math teacher Amy Yam, who is also a runner and a yogi, to write this letter to Wilson and his Lululemon colleagues. She included a photo of her thighs. Ellis students and faculty signed on and added their own photos. As of November 21, the Facebook post of her letter has been viewed nearly 9,000 times and shared nearly 50 times by members of the Ellis community. Read her letter to Lululemon below.
Dear Lululemon,
This is not an angry letter. This is a beautiful montage of pictures, drawings, and poems written by women with strong minds and bodies. May this scroll tempt, unsettle, haunt and shake you.
I am fully aware that you are not the only women’s apparel retailer that uses skinny mannequins and promotes the fictitious ideal of feminine beauty. A slip of the tongue has thrust you into the present spotlight, perhaps too severely, but your marketing is not unlike that of others.
Unique to you, however, is your meteoric rise to fame and popularity. Seemingly overnight, you have become the ‘it’ brand. Walking out of my yoga class two days ago, all but two people in the room were wearing at least one Lulu item. You are famous and, like many who drink the swells of fortune, you have the right to move forward and continue tempting future customers with catching patterns and new fiber blends.
But, have you ever wondered how it might feel to to take a stand from on high? Imagine the ripples of impact you could have if you, the almighty Lululemon, suddenly celebrated the fact that strong bodies are not only beautiful, but various. Women have thighs that rub, breasts that sag, arms that jiggle, and stomachs that bulge. But that which rubs and sags moves us forward, feeds our children, allows us to race for the finish line, and pulls us up - over and over and over again. What would happen if you, with your enormous pot of gold, tossed some coins our way?
I understand that the profit margin, like a siren’s song, tempts you away from the more courageous course. But maybe you can take a risk, be real, and break the mold. Can you, Lululemon, be the change so many wish to see?
NAMASTE.
Amy Yam
Teacher, Writer, Mother, Spouse, Yogi, Runner, Thigh-Toucher
Back
This is not an angry letter. This is a beautiful montage of pictures, drawings, and poems written by women with strong minds and bodies. May this scroll tempt, unsettle, haunt and shake you.
I am fully aware that you are not the only women’s apparel retailer that uses skinny mannequins and promotes the fictitious ideal of feminine beauty. A slip of the tongue has thrust you into the present spotlight, perhaps too severely, but your marketing is not unlike that of others.
Unique to you, however, is your meteoric rise to fame and popularity. Seemingly overnight, you have become the ‘it’ brand. Walking out of my yoga class two days ago, all but two people in the room were wearing at least one Lulu item. You are famous and, like many who drink the swells of fortune, you have the right to move forward and continue tempting future customers with catching patterns and new fiber blends.
But, have you ever wondered how it might feel to to take a stand from on high? Imagine the ripples of impact you could have if you, the almighty Lululemon, suddenly celebrated the fact that strong bodies are not only beautiful, but various. Women have thighs that rub, breasts that sag, arms that jiggle, and stomachs that bulge. But that which rubs and sags moves us forward, feeds our children, allows us to race for the finish line, and pulls us up - over and over and over again. What would happen if you, with your enormous pot of gold, tossed some coins our way?
I understand that the profit margin, like a siren’s song, tempts you away from the more courageous course. But maybe you can take a risk, be real, and break the mold. Can you, Lululemon, be the change so many wish to see?
NAMASTE.
Amy Yam
Teacher, Writer, Mother, Spouse, Yogi, Runner, Thigh-Toucher
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