Many shoppers assume that Athleta and Lululemon are sister brands — after all, both sell premium yoga wear and promote an empowering message for women.
But the truth is, they’re completely separate companies with different ownership, missions, and price points.
Let’s break it down from a manufacturer’s and consumer’s perspective.
Table of Contents
- Quick Answer
- 1. Who Owns Athleta?
- 2. Who Owns Lululemon?
- 3. Key Differences Between Athleta and Lululemon
- 4. Brand Positioning and Market Focus
- 5. Material Quality and Manufacturing Locations
- FAQs
- How FuKi Yoga Helps You Build Your Own Activewear Brand
Quick Answer
No — Athleta is owned by Gap Inc., not by Lululemon.
Lululemon is an independent, publicly traded company based in Canada.
While both focus on women’s activewear and sustainability, they operate under different ownership, pricing strategies, and brand philosophies.
1. Who Owns Athleta?
Athleta was founded in 1998 and was later acquired by Gap Inc. in 2008.
Gap Inc. also owns Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Gap — positioning Athleta as the company’s premium activewear division.
- Parent Company: Gap Inc.
- Headquarters: San Francisco, USA
- Core Message: “Power of She” — promoting inclusivity, body positivity, and sustainability
- Manufacturing: Global supply chain (including Vietnam, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka)
From a production standpoint, Gap’s network gives Athleta strong scalability and sustainability control — something smaller independent brands may struggle with.
2. Who Owns Lululemon?
Lululemon was founded in 1998 by Chip Wilson in Vancouver, Canada.
It remains an independent global brand, listed on the NASDAQ under the ticker LULU.
- Parent Company: None (publicly traded)
- Headquarters: Vancouver, Canada
- Focus: Performance innovation, luxury pricing, and community-driven marketing
- Manufacturing: Primarily in Asia (Vietnam, China, and Cambodia)
Unlike Athleta, Lululemon operates its own innovation labs (like the “Whitespace” lab) to develop proprietary fabrics such as Nulu™ and Everlux™.
3. Key Differences Between Athleta and Lululemon
| Category | Athleta | Lululemon |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Gap Inc. (USA) | Independent (Canada) |
| Founded | 1998 | 1998 |
| Target Market | Everyday women & yoga lifestyle | Performance-focused athletes |
| Price Range | $60–$120 | $80–$150 |
| Sustainability | Recycled fabrics, B Corp certified | Ethical sourcing, not B Corp |
| Design Style | Functional, inclusive | Sleek, fashion-driven |
| Brand Message | Empowerment & wellness | Performance & premium feel |
In essence: Athleta is accessible luxury, while Lululemon is aspirational performance.
4. Brand Positioning and Market Focus
Both brands aim to empower women, but their approach differs:
- Athleta focuses on versatility — yoga, travel, and lifestyle.
- Lululemon focuses on technical precision — training, studio, and athleisure chic.
As someone working with OEM clients, I’ve noticed that Athleta’s buyers emphasize comfort and sustainability, while Lululemon buyers prioritize innovation and silhouette.
If you’re creating your own yoga wear brand, choosing between these two directions is essential — comfort-driven or performance-driven.
5. Material Quality and Manufacturing Locations
Both Athleta and Lululemon manufacture in Asia, including Vietnam, Indonesia, and Taiwan.
However, their material approach differs:
| Brand | Main Fabrics | Manufacturing Regions | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athleta | Recycled polyester, spandex | Vietnam, Indonesia, Sri Lanka | B Corp, Fair Trade |
| Lululemon | Nulu™, Everlux™, Luxtreme™ | Vietnam, China, Cambodia | Fair Labor, Bluesign |
| FuKi Yoga (OEM) | Recycled nylon, RPET, bamboo blends | China (BSCI, Sedex Certified) | GRS, OEKO-TEX |
FAQs
Q1: Is Athleta a subsidiary of Lululemon?
No. Athleta belongs to Gap Inc., while Lululemon is an independent brand.
Q2: Are Athleta and Lululemon products made in the same factories?
Sometimes yes — many high-end activewear brands share ethical factories in Vietnam or Taiwan.
Q3: Which is more eco-friendly?
Athleta is a B Corp, so its environmental accountability is verified. Lululemon’s sustainability reports are self-published.
Q4: Is Athleta cheaper than Lululemon?
Generally, yes — Athleta leggings average $70–$100, while Lululemon averages $90–$130.
How FuKi Yoga Helps You Build Your Own Activewear Brand
At FuKi Yoga, we help startups and established labels build their own yoga and activewear lines inspired by leaders like Athleta and Lululemon.
Our strengths include:
- 🌱 Recycled & sustainable fabrics (RPET, bamboo, Lycra blends)
- 🧵 OEM & ODM manufacturing with low MOQ (100 pcs)
- 🩱 Pattern development, logo printing, labeling, and packaging
- 🌍 BSCI & Sedex certified factories ensuring ethical production
- 🚀 One-stop production from sampling to shipping
If you’re inspired by Athleta’s comfort or Lululemon’s performance design, FuKi Yoga can help you manufacture activewear that balances both.
👉 Visit us at https://fukiyoga.com to learn more.
