As the media coverage dies down regarding American Apparel’s knack for remarkably misogynistic and overtly sexual advertising (check out Nancy Upton’s hilarious/courageous spoof), and CEO Dov Charney’s nefarious past, the company reports an increase in net sales for the first quarter in 2013. This is a remarkable turnaround for the company who faced potential bankruptcy… Continue Reading →
American Apparel’s “plus-sized” model search is a total farce
I have never loved anything like I love ripping on American Apparel, and they make it so easy. Their latest? A “plus-sized” line that consists of a size 12/14—a straight size in most retailers—and which is available in a whopping 20 styles. How gracious of them! Given American Apparel’s previously stated stance on plus-sized clothing… Continue Reading →
American Apparel CEO’s endless douchebaggery gets him sued (again)
For those of you gleefully following the downfall of Dov Charney, add another lawsuitto his troubles. Your stretch floral lace unitards can’t save you now, Charney (yes, these are actual items for sale on the American Apparel web site. Are you surprised?). Irene Morales, Alyssa Ferguson, and Tessa Lubans-Dehaven are suing the American Apparel CEO,… Continue Reading →
Dov Charney, American Apparel face sexual harassment lawsuits
Warning: This post may be triggering for those sensitive to issues surrounding sexual assault. Why am I still writing about Dov Charney? In the past three weeks, five former employees have filed two sexual harassment lawsuits against Dov, the founder of American Apparel. The young women accuse him of engaging in a variety of inappropriate… Continue Reading →
American Apparel’s Classy-Vintage-Chic-Late ’80s-Early ’90s-Racist-Sexist-High end brand
We’ve talked about American Apparel before. You all know how we feel about the company’s creeptacular history and about how AA ads constantly and consistently make women’s bodies into objects for public consumption. Just when I thought they couldn’t get worse, something new and insidious surfaced. Gawker wrote recently about AA’s looks-based hiring policies, leaking… Continue Reading →
About-Face protests American Apparel: An Afternoon with Dov Charney
By now, you know how much we despise American Apparel’s advertising. Well, here’s your chance to make your voice heard TOMORROW, whether you’re in San Francisco or supporting from afar: An Afternoon with Dov Charney Saturday, May 1 at 1:00pm Haight St. (at Clayton), San Francisco (and online) Click for more info. Using street theater… Continue Reading →
Gallery of Offenders: An Appalling (lack of) Apparel
Questions to Consider: * What product is this ad selling? * Why would American Apparel use a semi-nude model to sell clothes? * Who is this ad’s intended audience? What We Think: “Oh, hi! You caught me completely by surprise as I lay here topless, staring vacantly into the camera. But while we’re here,… Continue Reading →
Victoria’s Secret, you are going down (and I like it)
Which part of Victoria’s Secret do I disdain most deeply? There’s the catalog! The fashion show. The website. The storefronts. All with their models with exactly the same body type — not the body type of most healthy women on the planet. It’s incredibly awful for girls’ development and women’s mental health, and harmful for… Continue Reading →
Powered by Girl brings the serious talk about girls’ activism
“Leadership skills” are great, says Lyn Mikel Brown, but intergenerational activist work is better for girls’ development and health. This is the animating philosophy behind Brown’s new book, Powered by Girl: A Field Guide for Supporting Youth Activists (Beacon Press, 2016). In it, Brown gives an in-depth view of the potential benefits of progressive… Continue Reading →