American Apparel founder and CEO Dov Charney is the cockroach of the U.S. garment industry; reviled by many but seemingly impossible to get rid of. He’s weathered numerous sexual harassment lawsuits and countless stories of obnoxious behavior, all while occasionally teetering on the verge of bankruptcy. Most other CEOs would have been shown the door long ago, but not Charney. That is until yesterday, when the American Apparel board unanimously voted to remove the divisive figure. [More]
american apparel
American Apparel Puts Up Window Display Of Mannequins In Underwear, Pubic Wigs
By 1.17.14
American Apparel’s advertising has generally been notable, but never for its restrained good taste. They’re best known for the exact opposite of that, actually. This week, the company is getting some very badly-wanted attention with a window display featuring mannequins in thin white panties with lush brunette lady gardens. [More]
For Some Reason American Apparel Thought “Hurricane Sandy” Sale Was A Good Idea
By 10.30.12
There’s nothing like retailers taking advantage of natural disasters to get our collective duff up, something American Apparel is currently learning after offering a sale for people “bored” during Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy last night. [More]
American Apparel Doesn’t Appreciate Plus-Size Model’s Attempt To Become "Next Big Thing"
By 9.14.11 — Updated: 6.19.14
As we reported last month, American Apparel, the clothing store often associated with emaciated teens, launched its “Next BIG Thing” contest to find a model for a new line of plus-sized clothing. Many hopefuls entered, but the woman who actually won the vote won’t be featured in an AA ad any time soon because the retailer didn’t quite appreciate her sense of humor. [More]
American Apparel Looking For "Next Big Thing" To Model XL Size
By 8.26.11
We’re sure American Apparel is just trying to be ever-so-adorable by making a play on the phrase “next big thing,” it’s not exactly cute to call someone a ” big thing” when you’re searching for a model to show off XL sizes of clothing. [More]
American Apparel May Pout Its Way Into Bankruptcy
By 4.1.11
American Apparel, the store perhaps better known for the barely legal, oft-undressed models in its ads, and the peccadilloes of company founder Dov Charney, than for its actual clothing, has alerted the Security and Exchange Commission that it may need to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. [More]
American Apparel's Dov Charney: A Lawbreaker Back In 1987?
By 7.11.10
The next time you zipper yourself into that gold spandex unitard, beware, law-abiding consumer — it was created by a man that could be considered a downright criminal in Toronto! That’s right, beyond the legal troubles already surrounding American Apparel founder Dov Charney — you know, the sexual harassment lawsuits and whatnot — there’s more. [More]
American Apparel Promised A Free Thong, But I Remain Without Butt Floss
By 7.2.10
It’s a familiar story: company offers free item. The promotion goes viral and appears on deal sites, as well as the world’s greatest consumer blog. Company runs out of the free item and shuts down the promotion. That’s what B. says happened when she signed up for American Apparel’s e-mail list to get a free thong. SHe signed up, and then the company ended the promotion after the fact, perhaps hoping that customers wouldn’t notice. Update: American Apparel contacted us, and B. now has replacement thongs. [More]
American Apparel Dress Code: Yes To Disco Pants, No To "Expressive" Makeup
By 6.25.10
It’s well known that American Apparel likes the models in its ads to wear as little as possible. But what about the company’s sales staff? Turns out the dress code for AA retail workers is strict — and kind of dull. No tattoos, no piercings (well, one earring per ear for the girls), and no boots. What’s in? Sperry Topsiders, knitted sweaters and pleated shorts. Is this American Apparel 2010 — or J. Crew 1980? [More]
How To Score A Free Thong From American Apparel
By 5.27.10
Are you in the need for some butt floss but don’t have the extra cash to buy a new thong? You’re in luck, because American Apparel is now handing out thongs for free! [More]
Save On Porno! 50 Sluttiest American Apparel Ads
By 9.8.09
Strictly as a consumer service, I’m posting this link to StyleCrave’s roundup of the 50 Sluttiest American Apparel Ads of All Time. Perhaps you can meditate on this while thinking of the 1,500 American Apparel workers who got laid off following a government crackdown on illegal immigrants at the company last week.
Woody Allen Makes More Money Suing American Apparel Than Making Movies
By 5.19.09 — Updated: 11.1.12
Woody Allen found a new way to make ends meet other than that zany “sell movie tickets to people” scheme: He waited until American Apparel made an unauthorized billboard using his graven image, then sued the crap out of them for $10 million and settled for half the amount.
Which Store Has The Worst Return Policy?
By 10.12.08
As part of their multi-pronged effort to fight the financial Godzilla besieging the world economy, the European Commission today proposed a 14-day no-questions-asked return period for any online purchases made within the European Union. The “two-week cooling-off period” is designed to give consumers a chance to shop across borders for the best prices without worrying about return policies. The practically adorable European decision to respond to a financial crisis with consumer protections made us want to look inwards at some of the onerous return policies Americans face.
Gold Llame Window Display Confuses Shopper Into Thinking American Apparel Is Store For Hookers
By 11.1.07
Because we loathe the peculiar iteration of kiddie porn that passes for American Apparel’s advertising, we got a kick out of the photo and description submitted to our Flickr pool by reader (and #1Consumerist reader Flickr pool submitter!) Maulleigh.
American Apparel Sells Out
By 12.19.06
Privately-held American Apparel will sell itself to a small investment firm for $382.5 million. NYT reports,
