While out for dinner with the design team on a work trip to Taipei – Aly, our run fit model, casually mentioned, “if Steve (her boyfriend) proposed to me tomorrow, I would definitely say yes”. Having only dated for a year, it was bold statement to make. Little did she know, it was exactly what was going to happen the very next day.

meet aly

Meet Aly. When she’s not busy working as a personal trainer, we’re toting her around the office (and the globe for that matter) asking her to try on new product so we can ensure a perfect fit. Aly’s been our run fit model since 2007 and is also the star of this little love story that landed her a boy, a ring and bra named after her.

it’s a love story…

It was a fit session with our vendors in Taipei, like every other. Long hours spent poking and pinning and twirling Aly, followed by outfit changes and more poking, pinning and twirling. What Aly didn’t know was that her boyfriend, Steve, had flown in all the way from Vancouver and was plotting an epic surprise for her that involved popping the question, “will you marry me?”

With the help of one of our run designers, Niamh, the whole team (including the lovely folks at our vendor) were in on the surprise and anxiously waiting Steve’s arrival. The vision: Steve would arrive while Aly was in the change room and as she came out from behind the curtain he would be waiting there, down on one knee.

how the engage bra came to be

But of course, plans rarely go as planned. When Steve arrived, Aly was working with the team outside the fitting room making the surprise entrance nearly impossible. Luckily Niamh thinks fast on her feet. She grabbed a bra and sent Aly into the fitting room to “try it on”. The rest happened exactly as intended - well, with the help of the encouraging look Niamh shot Steve when he appeared to be a bit frozen.

The lovely people we work with in Taipei gave Aly and Steve this book after the engagement!

she said yes!

Not to anyone’s surprise (given the conversation that had occurred the night prior) Aly said yes, but not before exclaiming, “I’M WEARING A SPORTS BRA” first. In hindsight, Aly jokes with Niamh, “couldn’t you have asked me to put on a beautiful dress or something!?” Then again, nothing says ‘a long life of happiness, togetherness and support’ like a full support bra, right?

Editor’s Disclaimer: we can’t guarantee that you’ll get engaged if you wear the Engage Bra – but then again, Aly did, so you just never know. Best wishes to Aly and Steve on their summer wedding – we love you!

Your studio is called One Yoga for the People. What’s the philosophy behind the name?
Yoga is for the people, regardless of age, gender, social status, financial situation, height, weight, etc. I chose the name One Yoga a few years ago for my yoga school in Saskatoon. The name symbolizes our interconnection of all beings, the oneness of mind and body (in the heart) that yoga brings, and the truth that we all share One Love.

Why is it important for you to have a donation based studio?
We realize that people often stop coming to classes because they are broke or struggling financially and we want to be available regardless. Yoga can be a tremendous support in times of trouble and we believe so strongly in its power that we will give classes for free if we have to.

We’re always looking for great books. What are you reading right now? Feeling The Shoulder of The Lion and The Essential Rumi by Coleman Barks are two books that are either at my bedside, in the yoga room or in my backpack. I'm also reading Start Something That Matters written by Blake Mycoskie (the guy who started TOMS shoes!).

Tell us about your charity! What makes you so passionate about kids yoga?
I few years ago I started a charity called Vinyasa Yoga for Youth. It empowers youth ages 3-23 through the practice of yoga.

Gandhi said, "peace begins with the children." I believe that through yoga, children can learn to be their highest selves, not the selves that succumb to negative influences and peer pressure.

One Yoga recently worked on a design collaboration with the lululemon lab. What interested you in working with the lab?
When I walked into the lab, I felt the positivity, vibrancy and creativity that the staff there had. I wanted to be around the people working there. I loved that they were working directly with other yoga practitioners and teachers in the community and designing based on their feedback.

What did you learn?
I learned how supportive the lululemon community really is. The crew at the lab really wanted to work together to create new, innovative clothes that can be worn in or out of the studio and that they weren’t afraid to colour outside the lines and be creative with what they were making. I can't tell you how much fun it was to do the collaboration!

We hear you’re teaching at Wanderlust Whistler this summer! What are you most looking forward to?
I am most looking forward to seeing all of the yoga peeps from all over Canada and the U.S. Many of my teachers/students/friends from other studios around North America are coming to hang out, practice and dance! I’m also stoked that Michael Franti is coming to rock with us!

I’ve noticed that there’s almost always music playing at OYFTP. Do you have any favourite songs to practice to?
For Vinyasa practice, I'd say Hijomalind by Sigur Ros, Exercising by Lee "Scratch" Perry, Lotus Flower by Radiohead and I’m also loving Holocene by Bon Iver.

For Savasana, definitely Healing Room by Sinead O'Connor and Beth Rest (Piano Version) by Bon Iver.

Curious about all the brainstorming going on in the pics? Check out the Liberty Crop, one of the lululemon lab and One Yoga collaboration pieces!

We don’t think we need any reason to share the things we love. Here’s what’s been making us think, act, create and laugh this month.

From their blog to this stunning book, we’re soaking up everything Design Sponge has to offer.

How many Downward Dogs ‘til we can yoga-breakdance like Alex Yde?

Whisker Works presents handmade hilarity leaving no set of lips undusted.

Wunderkit is keeping us ‘wundering’. We’re anxiously awaiting the release of their app!

Punchfork makes the world your Oyster Fitzpatrick.

Training Mobs get people sweating together. No flash mobs here.

Meet the new lululemon.com. To get to know her a little better we asked her a few questions (as we do with all new hires).

where did you grow up?
I grew up on the mean streets of Kitsilano, Vancouver BC. We didn’t even have broadband back then. If we were lucky we had dial-up once a week.

if you could have dinner with any three websites, decommissioned or current, which ones would they be?
1. Tim Berners-Lee’s original website, the first ever website. That was the start of it all…
2. elfyourself.com
3. 1000awesomethings.com

what’s your hidden talent?
My intuition. My friends call me the gift whisperer.

most importantly: dogs or cats?
(down)Dogs, obviously.

what would you do if you knew you could not fail?
I’d pursue a singing career. I recently released my first single – I think I have what it takes to be an electro superstar.

favourite website?
Is this a joke?

what do you consider your top strength?
Organization - I love lists! To-do lists, laundry lists, naughty or nice lists, wish lists…

my friends love me because…
I’m always almost always up for a chat (7am-6pm PST). Just call on me brother (or live chat), if you need a hand!

We always make sure our new hires get plenty of feedback to help their development. Any feedback you’d like us to pass along to lululemon.com?

The renovation clock is ticking. We've blacked out our online store as we move ahead with our site's renovation. We've affectionately called the place "Boutique Noir" because let's face it, it sounds better that way. To celebrate the state of affairs, we interviewed Sheree Waterson, our Executive VP of Merchandise Management. Why? You'll see. 

Sheree is the woman ultimately behind the fabulous colour you know and love from lululemon. We are all intrigued by the way she plays with texture, shape and proportion, all with function at the core, no matter what she’s creating.

We’re also intrigued by the amount of black in her wardrobe. The woman can wear black. I mean really wear black. Think 29 days out of 30: black shoes, pants, tops, jackets, hair, nail polish, accessories – all black. Considering our online store is about to look a lot like Sheree’s wardrobe, it only seemed fitting to spend a little time with the woman to talk about her favourite colour. (Is black a colour?)

the woman in black

Elissa: So how long have you been wearing all black?
Sheree: Since I started in the business. I used to wear a lot of colour. When I started, I was a buyer for designer sportswear. We used to travel a lot and so, you know, your wardrobe has to be easy. Truthfully, I love dressing this way because it’s easy to play with proportion when you keep the palette all black. My clothes are all black and my environment has to be white. I admit. I send myself white flowers. I need a clean blank canvas to create so that ADD doesn't creep in.

It’s funny, when I lived in San Fran, I had some friends who had a shop called “Alabaster”. They helped me decorate my apartment.  I said I wanted this particular Napolean couch in white velvet and another piece in white silk satin, a look inspired by this Oscar De La Renta dress.  “Honey,” she said, “we can’t do that. It’s going to look like a wedding cake in here.” That was the point.

E: So you own a lot of black luon?
S: Oh yeah. (she laughs.)

E: Do you own any coloured luon?
S: A bit. I have some jewel-tone pieces, Dark Classic Sport Grey, Snorkel Blue, Flush…but mostly black. It’s about proportion and function at that point.

E: Before you were at lululemon you were...
S: Before I was at lululemon I was President of Speedo North America and before that, I was the VP of Women's at Levi's.

 (At this point, the accessories designers interrupt with a colour board to show Sheree. It’s for upcoming water bottles. I get to observe a really unique moment where Sheree challenges them to get inside her head and try to understand what’s working for her and what is not. I have never seen anyone speak so passionately about colour’s ability to inspire, to drive emotions and to communicate.)

S to designers: The colour has to blow me away – I mean literally. It has to blow me away.  This finish? (She points to a metallic bottle) This slays me. I walk by this and think “quality”. It’s really just a water bottle. It’s the opposite of intellectual. It’s purely creative. Are you with me?

(After ten minutes of interacting over water bottle colours and graphics, the designers leave the office to go back to the drawing board.)

S to E: Did that make sense? Did I communicate that well?

E: Yes, I get it. I have a mother who did women’s colour analysis in the eighties, so I totally get the whole language of colour thing. I’m curious: how many black pairs of shoes do you own?
(She’d rather not comment, but she did mention she’s in the triple digits. Whoa.)

E: Who’s your style icon?
S: I don’t know. It’s hard for me to say. I don’t really think anyone dresses that great these days. Who rocks hard? (Sheree looks at Janine, a designer who is standing within earshot.)  

E: Ok, if you take “style icon” and replace that with whose work do you love?
S: Oh, easy.  I love Givenchy. Ricardo Tisci, McQueen - I love Rick Owens. His favourite colour is black too. We're soul mates.

E: Black or red licorice? 
S: Black!

E: White or dark chocolate?
S: Oooh, it depends on the brand.
Janine: Gummi bears!
S: GUMMI BEARS! Vitamin Gummi bears! (We all laugh.)

E: Favourite workout?
S: Kundalini Yoga...at Semperviva with Gloria, or Yoga West with Hari Singh, or Ghurmuk Kaur Khalsa when she’s in Vancouver. (I find this amusing. A lot of people who practice Kundalini wear all white.)

Goals for the year?
S: Go to Harvard. (Check. She heads to Boston for a two-month leadership course on Saturday. Ironically, she’s wearing a stunning cherry red cropped jacket to celebrate. There’s a long silence. She looks me square in the eyes.) Truthfully, I am so wrapped up in work that the thing that I really care about – really care about – is that the team that I work with is the most inspired, happiest team in the world. That is it. I can’t think of anything else that I’d rather have. Except more yoga. Do more yoga.
Erika (Sheree's Executive Assistant): …and drink more water.
S: More water, yes.

E: …out of a sexy water bottle?
S: Yes, out of a really sexy water bottle! Exactly.  It has to be chartreuse. No, really. (Her expression goes completely stoic.) Chartreuse is the number one colour in the world.

want more?

• Meet some of the other people behind our products. Say hello to Katie.
• Follow our designers on their trip to Europe. Croissants and goals abound.
• Find out about the product black-out. Read our reno page.

We like Sheree's philosophy as much as we love her office. Sometimes things are simpler in black and white. Consider our all-black selection our clean slate as we tidy things up behind the scenes. Thanks so much for your patience!

Last Monday we met Jurgen from recruiting. Today, start off your week by meeting Katie from our accessories design team.

what is something unique or surprising about you?

I have a twin brother. He's massive -- think ‘Shrek’-like proportions. Not sure how we survived a womb together, but that might explain why we were 6 weeks early.

where is your favourite place in the world?

Anywhere there’s a yoga mat--too cliché? How about New York. Hands down. I feel oddly comforted the minute I get into the city and can smell the nut vendors.

what is your favourite way to sweat?

Hot yoga. Preferably a heated vinyasa flow class. Any time, any place, I’m there. Nothing feels better than dripping buckets.

what gets you up in the morning?

My cat, appropriately named ‘Skurvy’. He likes to wake me up at 5 am by licking my eyelids. It was cute the first time.

a goal you've achieved that you're proud of?

‘I am in a committed relationship with a handsome hunk of a man by November 2010." Oh wait, wrong goal.

‘I maintain a consistent blog by December 2010’. I’ll be heading up a weekly designer-based blog entry on our lululemon blog and can also be found blogging on Saturdays at www.vancouveryogareview.com

Interested in possibilities on the design team? Check out our careers page: http://www.lululemon.com/careers, and if you have any design questions be sure to ask away!

what is something unique or surprising about you?

I'm a happy person. My positive energy is contagious. If you have a chance to meet me, you will understand why.

what is one of your biggest passions?

Yummy food. Come on, who doesn't like to eat?

where is your favorite place in the world?

I love to travel, but the place I call home, Vancouver, is my favourite place in the world.

what do you want to be remembered for?

I would like to be remembered as a lovely wife, a caring daughter, a trusted friend, a reliable colleague, a good person. However, when I left my last job, many of co-workers said that they will really miss my distinctive, genuine, happy laugh.

what gets you up in the morning?

Not coffee. The idea that I'm one day closer to achieving my goal helps me to jump out of my cozy bed. Also, I can't wait to experience the unexpected day to come. As we all know "life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get" - right?

coolest thing about being a technical designer?

As a technical designer I'm fortunate to see the progression of our product from the initial design on paper to the end of ready-to-buy garment. Each product to me is like a baby - I nurture and shape them- I take care of them until they are ready to fulfill their purpose in this world - how cool is that?

We are incredibly excited to have Catherine on the team contributing to the creation and production of our technical clothing for yoga, dancing, running, and most other sweaty pursuits! Check out some of the amazing possibilities available for your own future contributions at lululemon athletica.

Name: Lauren
BHAG:Work on the design or marketing team at lululemon by 2012!!

what is a bhag?

A BHAG (pronounced "bee-hag") is a big, hairy, audacious goal!

why share your bhag?

The more you share your goals, the more likely it is you will achieve them. For the month of June we will be sharing a BHAG every day on lululemon.com. Want to share your BHAG with the world? Send your high-res photo to blogs@lululemon.com and we'll publish a few of our favourites here on the lululemon blog.

In celebration of moms everywhere, we asked some of the lululemon product designers to introduce us to their moms.

cara and her mom gail

Mum, thanks for encouraging me to follow my passion no matter what - I wouldn’t have turned my hobby into my career if it wasn’t for you! I <3 U!!
- Cara: Assistant Designer, Men's

chelsea and her mom, elaine

I want to thank my mom for being my best friend and never treating me like a kid. She’s always looked at me as an equal and been there for me. I couldn’t ask for anything else. She’s the best mom ever! Love you mom!
- Chelsea: Assistant Designer, Yoga

natalie and her mom colleen

I want to thank my mom for always believing in me and helping me with all my unfinished sewing projects until all hours of the night. Mom, you are my best friend and I am so lucky to have you. You are always up for anything, whether its a shopping marathon or an afternoon run. Thanks for being you! I love you!
- Natalie: Assistant Designer, Yoga

janine and her mom, marilyn

thanks for being strong and gentle at the same time, for doing what you love and inspiring me to do the same, for being truly the best listener i've ever met, and for teaching me what both family and a beautiful relationship look like.
- Janine: Design Manager

colin and his mom, lydia

I want to thank my mom for letting me draw, paint and doodle on my bedrooms walls growing up. Most kids get into trouble when they do that, but not with my mom, she encouraged it! Now I just happen to draw all day for work, so thanks mom! I love you.
- Colin: Graphic Designer

lina and her mom, vickie

I truly treasure every moment we get to spend together. I appreciate all you contribute to my life and all the life experience that you so graciously share with me. I feel so fortunate to have such a successful, resilient, passionate and powerful woman as a role model in my life. Thank you forever and always for all the support and encouragement.
- Lina: Assistant Designer, Run

Above: Meet Shannon, our Running / Outerwear Designer extraordinaire!

Each week we want to introduce you to some of the amazing people who work hard to make lululemon what it is. If there is anyone you'd like to see featured, drop us a line in the comments below and we'll do our best to give you that behind the scenes look at who we are and what we do.

On that note, please meet Shannon, our Running and Outerwear Designer!

What brought you to lululemon?

I’ve always loved the store and the product since lululemon opened on W4th Avenue in Vancouver. I liked what they stood for and thought that so many of their values were similar to my own “life values”. I felt like it would be an exciting culture to be a part of.

When one of my best friends got a design job and told me that they were growing rapidly, I applied immediately and started as a product developer, which quickly turned into a design position.  That was over 3 years ago.

What do you like best about working at lululemon? What do you like best about your role?

I come to work everyday and work with some of my favorite people who have all become close friends of mine. I create. I design. I inspire and get inspired. I laugh a lot. Then I go running with colleagues or do yoga and come up with more ideas. I work really hard. And then I see it all come to life and it’s like magic.  The best part of my role is seeing the affect our product has on everyone around me, including the guests in our stores.

What skills / qualities have made you successful in your role?

Creativity, the ability to innovate, leadership, problem solver extraordinaire, multi-tasking & efficiency in tasks, teamwork, the ability to adapt.

What is your lululemon legend, ie: something you’ve already created or something you plan to create?

The lululemon running line! It’s my passion in life.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be in your role in the future?

Never stop trying. Work really hard. Get a design education. Love what you do. Don’t ever be afraid to try something crazy.

>>> Interested in working in a role like Shannon's? Start setting some goals or visit our careers section to see if we have an opening that interests you!

Watch it below:

lululemon Annual Report Video 2008 from lululemon athletica on Vimeo.

Recently the lululemon design team hooked up with the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC for the finale of the 'Urban Yogini' design contest. The challenge was for students in any year to design 3 outfits for the urban yogini: taking her from the studio to the street with style. There was no better city than New York for the debut of the designs, and no better school to work with than FIT, which is recognized as one of the top fashion design schools in North America!

The idea was born as way to reach out to young designers and get their fresh perspective on lululemon, keeping in mind function, innovation and aesthetic. From 30+ design submissions, 8 finalists were selected and given signature lululemon fabrics (luon, luxtreme, french terry and organic cotton) to create their designs.

lululemon Union Square hosted the finale event, which was an amazing coming together of all the educators, ambassadors, FIT students and faculty and a few of us from the Store Support Centre in Vancouver, for a fashion show and schmooze, lululemon style. The concept of the fashion show was literally turned it on its head by inviting four New York ambassadors to be the models. Jamie Windrow, Laurie Cole, Kelly Dwyer, and Natalia Petrzela each strutted down the runway, but instead of striking your average model pout there were dancer poses, warrior threes, full vinyasas and even a cartwheel!

After a Project Runway-style judging, the winner was chosen: Sunghee Bang (designs shown above). Her innovative geometric layered look out of organic cotton and french terry really blew us away. Second place went to Eunju Koh, who created a sporty and chic outfit which included body mapping tights and a scoop back hooded vest that was full of personality. There were so many amazing entries with great innovations like built in yoga straps, removable capes and adjustable hems, the FIT students really stepped up to the challenge!

Want to learn even more about the Urban Yogini Design Competition? Watch the video below:

Nothing gets me more excited than when I'm working in our stores and I hear about guests falling in love with the TaTa Tamer. It may seem a little self-serving to name the TTT as my favourite piece of lululemon, but how can I not?

Any girl who's ever had to wear two bras just to go for a run knows exactly where I'm coming from. It's of course a lot more than that for me, being my first (read: more gorgeous supportive bras to come!) major contribution to lululemon in the world of full support sports bras.

I'm passionate about what I do: bras and underwear are fun and shouldn't be boring! I believe they should be a part of your outfit; they should look great and function for you no matter what you're doing.

I love solving problems in creative ways. Whether it's educators telling me about guest experiences or it's getting the opportunity to fit someone properly in the perfect sports bra for their needs, it makes my day. It's one thing to love what you do, another to do what you love, and it's something close to incredible when doing what you love changes the lives of women in the best possible way.

I wear my TTT all the time, co-coordinating of course with whatever outfit/activity I'm up to - working, running, jumping, dodgeballin'...(yes, I have specific outfits for these activities!). I've got various colours to work with my various outfits.

I love love love being a woman, I love being active, and I don’t believe that women should ever have to compromise one for the other. I'm proud of my shape, I like my curves and I want to still look feminine while running. No more uni-boob, AND I get the support I need! What else could I ask for? It's a fun, cute garment that functions. How could the TaTa Tamer not be my favourite piece of lululemon?

Melissa is our bra and swimwear designer. Her big, hairy, ambitious goal is to have Oprah talk about one of her bras on air.

In the photo above, Melissa and MelEesa (both on our design team) are wearing the Movement Tank over top of their TaTa Tamers. To try on and fall in love with a TaTa Tamer yourself, please visit your local lululemon store.