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Lululemon Vancouver Flagship Store Opens On Robson (PHOTOS)

Lululemon Flagship Store Is 'Dream Come True'
The Huffington Post B.C.
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Lululemon's gorgeous new flagship store on a high-profile corner of downtown Vancouver is a "dream come true," says Chip Wilson, founder of the global yoga wear giant.

The company hosted a cocktail party Tuesday night to celebrate the gleaming location's opening on the corner of Robson and Burrard streets. The 4,500 sq.-ft. store is the brand's largest to date and will be used to test many of Lululemon's "retail innovations."

Wilson has been dreaming of a flagship store for years, he told The Huffington Post B.C. The boutique stocks a full range of Lululemon products, but he pointed to a specific focus on menswear as something that distinguishes this location. A section in the back called The Joinery offers custom-made shorts for men.

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"Women want to look good working out and now men do too," Wilson said.

Wilson recently sold half of his 27 per cent stake in Lululemon to a private equity firm for $845 million in an attempt to quell a dispute with the company's board of directors.

"It feels like a cast has come off," Wilson said of the lengthy process. "Now I can move on."

Wilson was joined by many fit and glowing local personalities at the jovial Tuesday event, including Lululemon CEO Laurent Potdevin, new Vancouver Canucks goalie Jacob Markstrom, and recently retired Whitecaps captain Jay DeMerit and his Olympic gold medallist wife Ashley McIvor.

Check out photos of the party and the store below. Story continues after slideshow:

Lululemon Vancouver Flagship Store Party
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Lululemon CEO Laurent Potdevin speaks to the crowd in Vancouver at the opening of the flagship store on Aug. 19, 2014. (credit:lululemon athletica)
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Former Whitecaps captain Jay DeMerit, his wife and Olympian Ashley McIvor, and friend. (credit:lululemon athletica)
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Vancouver Canucks goalie Jacob Markstrom and lululemon chief product officer Tara Poseley (credit:lululemon athletica)
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An acrobat pours wine for guests. (credit:lululemon athletica)
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CTV's Norma Reid and lululemon CEO Laurent Potdevin. (credit:lululemon athletica)
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Shaw TV's Bianca Solterbeck and Scott Emslie, founder of Wet Ape Productions. (credit:lululemon athletica)
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The lululemon executive team from left to right: chief product officer Tara Poseley, SVP design and creation Deanne Schweitzer, founder Chip Wilson, CEO Laurent Potdevin. (credit:lululemon athletica)
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From left to right: SVP design and creation Deanne Schweitzer, founder Chip Wilson, CEO Laurent Potdevin. (credit:lululemon athletica)
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Felix Del Toro, left, SVP of men's lululemon, speaks to guests. (credit:lululemon athletica)
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Lululemon founder Chip Wilson and his mother. (credit:HuffPost B.C.)
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Lululemon CEO Laurent Potdevin speaks to the crowd. (credit:HuffPost B.C.)
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Tampa Bay Lightning and former Vancouver Canuck NHL player Jason Garrison. (credit:HuffPost B.C.)
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Vancouver artist Colin Moore was commissioned to create five limited-edition tops reflecting the city's neighbourhoods and cycling culture. (credit:lululemon athletica)
The Fixie (East Van)(23 of48)
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"This bike is cooler than you are, so don't be seen without it — complete the look with matching shoes, a full growler, and the best lock on the market." (credit:lululemon athletica)
The Commuter (West End)(24 of48)
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"Why drive when you can ride? This bike has enough storage for safety equipment and non-perishables for the impending global-warming apocalypse. #1lesscar" (credit:lululemon athletica)
The Cruiser (Kitsilano)(25 of48)
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"A little slower than walking and a lot more comfortable, this bike will get you from work to yoga to wine-o-clock from Kitsilano to Kits Beach." (credit:lululemon athletica)
The Speedster (Vancouver)(26 of48)
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"Faster than most cars and packed with enough water for a small family, this bike means business. #onyourleft!" (credit:lululemon athletica)
The Shredder (North Shore)(27 of48)
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"This bike is dirtier than you are. Designed to go down fast with plenty of shocks to soften the blow." (credit:lululemon athletica)
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Lululemon's flagship store at 970 Robson St. in Vancouver is the brand's largest location to date. (credit:lululemon athletica)
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The store, which opened in August 2014, is a "dream come true," said Lululemon founder Chip Wilson. (credit:lululemon athletica)
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A section called The Joinery creates custom-made shorts for men. (credit:lululemon athletica)
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The curled design of the mobile fitting rooms was inspired by the shavings of First Nations wood carvers. (credit:lululemon athletica)
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The flagship store reflects Lululemon's West Coast roots; the curled design of the mobile fitting rooms was actually inspired by the shavings of First Nations wood carvers.

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And Vancouver artist Colin Moore was commissioned to create five limited-edition tops reflecting the city's neighbourhoods and cycling culture. They'll be available at the 970 Robson St. store while supplies last.

An official grand opening takes place Thursday with giveaways and live DJs. Robson Street will be shut down between Hornby and Burrard from 6 to 10 p.m. for a 500-person yoga session led by renowned teachers Eoin and Insiya Finn.

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