When people shop for yoga and activewear, one of the most common questions I hear is:
“Is Athleta part of Gap?”
As someone who works closely with apparel manufacturing and brand strategy, I can confirm — yes, Athleta is owned by Gap Inc., but it operates as an independent, purpose-driven brand with a strong focus on sustainability and women empowerment.
In this article, I’ll break down who owns Athleta, how it fits within the Gap portfolio, and what makes it stand out in the competitive activewear market.
Yes — Athleta is owned by Gap Inc., the American retail group that also owns Banana Republic, Old Navy, and Gap.
Gap acquired Athleta in 2008 to expand into the women’s premium activewear segment and compete directly with brands like Lululemon and Alo Yoga.
However, Athleta operates with its own team, marketing strategy, and product design philosophy — giving it a unique identity within the Gap portfolio.
Athleta is fully owned by Gap Inc., headquartered in San Francisco, California.
The parent company manages several lifestyle brands, each targeting different demographics.
| Brand | Parent Company | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Athleta | Gap Inc. | Women’s activewear |
| Gap | Gap Inc. | Everyday apparel |
| Old Navy | Gap Inc. | Family & value fashion |
| Banana Republic | Gap Inc. | Premium casual wear |
💬 While Athleta benefits from Gap’s resources and logistics, it keeps creative independence to stay relevant to fitness-minded women.
Athleta was founded in 1998 as a catalog-based company focused on women’s performance apparel.
By 2008, Gap Inc. saw the potential in the growing yoga and activewear market and purchased Athleta for approximately $150 million.
Since then, Athleta has grown from a niche brand into one of Gap’s most successful divisions — now generating over $1 billion in annual revenue.
Unlike Gap’s casual fashion brands, Athleta focuses on fitness, wellness, and sustainability.
It also plays a key role in Gap’s brand diversification strategy — moving beyond denim into lifestyle performance wear.
Key differences from other Gap-owned brands:
| Feature | Athleta | Gap / Old Navy / Banana Republic |
|---|---|---|
| Product Type | Activewear & yoga clothing | Casual & everyday wear |
| Target Audience | Women, fitness-focused | General consumers |
| Sustainability | Core brand value | Varies by brand |
| Brand Voice | Empowerment & inclusivity | Lifestyle-focused |
| Production Model | Ethical & low-impact factories | Global mass production |
🧘 Athleta’s DNA centers around performance, sustainability, and empowerment — a combination few traditional fashion brands achieve.
Yes, directly.
Athleta’s main competitor is Lululemon, but their brand messages differ slightly:
| Brand | Core Identity | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Lululemon | Technical precision & innovation | Fabric technology |
| Athleta | Mindful movement & inclusivity | Sustainability & community |
From a manufacturer’s perspective, Athleta’s designs lean toward comfort, natural fabrics, and body diversity, which resonate with modern consumers.
Athleta is a certified B Corporation, meaning it meets high standards for environmental and social performance.
It has pledged to:
🌍 This ethical focus makes Athleta one of the most sustainable mass-market activewear brands.
Q1: Is Athleta part of Gap or independent?
Athleta is owned by Gap Inc. but operates independently within the company’s brand family.
Q2: Does Gap make Athleta’s clothes?
Production is managed through Gap’s supply chain network, with ethically certified factories worldwide.
Q3: Is Athleta a B Corp brand?
Yes, Athleta became a certified B Corporation in 2018.
Q4: Is Athleta cheaper than Lululemon?
Slightly — Athleta’s pricing is about 10–15% lower, focusing more on sustainability than luxury.
At FuKi Yoga, we share Athleta’s values of ethical and sustainable manufacturing.
We help brands of all sizes create premium-quality yoga wear that meets global sustainability standards.
Our expertise includes:
Whether you’re launching a new brand or rebranding an existing one, FuKi Yoga ensures your products combine style, ethics, and performance.
👉 Learn more at fukiyoga.com.