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Lululemon Partners With the Dalai Lama, Outrage Ensues

Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images

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Earlier this week, Lululemon announced that they would be partnering with the Dalai Lama Center for Peace + Education and contributing $750,000 over the next three years to support the center's initiatives. According to The Globe and Mail, the announcement didn't take long to draw out plenty of complaints from consumers over the fact that a company that pushes $100 yoga pants will be teaming up with the Dalai Lami, a well-known advocate for the poor. "Some people are disgusted by it; some people think it's really bizarre," Jennilyn Carson, founder of YogaDork.com, told The Globe and Mail. "Lululemon has had some interesting and questionable marketing tactics in the past years."

Commenters on Lululemon's blog were especially critical: "There are people in this world who have suffered and some died for their beliefs in the practices and philosophies that the Dalai Lama embodies," one comment read. "His image is sacred to them and you have the audacity to post this on the same page where you brand your tights and tanks and yoga wear. Shame on you."
· Lulu-Lama? Partnership between yoga wear maker, Dalai Lama sparks outcry [The Globe and Mail]
· Lulule-men: The Activewear Giant Reveals Its Plan to Woo Dudes [Racked]
· Lululemon's Manifesto Preaches Against Sunscreen [Racked]