Lululemon

Chip Wilson opened Lululemon in Vancouver's Kitsilano neighbourhood in 1998 as a design studio by day and a yoga studio by night, and its fitted, technical yoga pants helped create the athleisure category. The company now makes clothing for running, training and everyday wear for women and men, in proprietary fabrics such as the soft, matte Nulu, and it has become one of the biggest names in sportswear.