Skip to main content
Madonna at the Met Gala in stunning fashion.
Taylor Swift boarding a private jet in 2024.
Woman experiencing fatigue from lack of sleep.

Style

7 Crazy Things You Never Knew About American Apparel

December 30, 2015 by Isabel Jones
shefinds | Style
Featured image

Over-priced spandex, sexual harassment lawsuits, nasty sales staff... American Apparel means something different to everyone. Plagued by a barrage of negatively branded headlines, we know that the company has had its issues — but then we also know that they sell the best Halloween costumes, so... I mean, which side of history do we want to be on? Here's to you A.A., and all of your company-crushing secrets. [Photo: Shutterstock]
Image from SHEfinds

American Apparel Has A “No Ugly” Policy

American Apparel’s hiring team favors good-looks over adequate work experience, which makes a LOT of sense to anyone who has stepped inside the store. It's not uncommon to receive a glare in place of the customary employee "hello". Also, have you noticed that 9 out of 10 times you try something on at A.A. it ends up being stained? And not like a cute subtle stain, but a red-lipstick-white-tank-top sort of deal… To sum up, the employees are all crazy-hip models-in-training, but their customer service skills are definitely SUB-PAR.

[Photo: Instagram]

Image from SHEfinds

American Apparel Is A Shoplifter Hot-Spot

Shoplifting from American Apparel is such a common pastime that Tao Lin wrote a memoir called—well... “Shoplifting from American Apparel.” To regulate the growing theft rate, A.A. added anti-theft tags to the bulk of their items in 2012.

[Photo: Barnes & Noble]

Image from SHEfinds

American Apparel Makes Clothes For Your Pets

On the off chance that your dog doesn’t already have a superiority complex, now he can dress as hip as you do AND be, you know, an adorable furry creature.

[Photo: American Apparel]

Image from SHEfinds

Founder And Former CEO Dov Charney Is Not A Great Guy

Never trust a Dov… Just kidding, but actually this guy is the worst. He was removed as CEO in June 2014 after a twenty-five-year slew of outrageous behavior. What kind of outrageous behavior?? Ummm, well he masturbated in front of a reporter, allegedly forced an employee to serve as his “sex slave,” led meetings in his underwear, and sent employees work-appropriate texts like these… Are we missing any? YES! There are far too many offenses against Charney to list them all!!

[Photo: Shutterstock]

Image from SHEfinds

American Apparel vs. Woody Allen Happened

Back in 2009, American Apparel featured an image of Allen on their billboards without permission, causing Allen to file a $10 million suit against the company. A.A. ended up settling, paying Allen a cool $5 million. Sorry, Dov...

[Photo: Splash News]

Image from SHEfinds

American Apparel Went Bankrupt This Year

On October 5, 2015, American Apparel filed for bankruptcy, claiming the company hasn't made a profit since 2009. Considering what we know about former CEO Dov Charney, the brand's high rate of shoplifting, and the many legal battles attached to its advertising campaign, this doesn't come as much of a surprise. Not to mention A.A.'s crazy prices... This shirt is 95% polyester and costs $48. FORTY-EIGHT DOLLARS!

[Photo: Instagram]

Image from SHEfinds

American Apparel Legitimately Hires Porn Stars For Their Ad Campaigns

The American Apparel model to the right? Yeah, that’s Sasha Grey. In addition to her thriving modeling career, she’s best known for her work in films like Seinfeld: A XXX Parody, Masturbation Nation 3 , and Teenage Anal Princess 5.

[Photo: Splash News]

 

Tags:

Author:

Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner at a public event.
The viral Italian bob hair trend for summer 2023.
Brad Pitt and Ines de Ramon at F1 World Premiere.
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift attending a sports event together.
Amazon Prime Day promotions displayed on devices.
Britney Spears dazzles at Hollywood Beauty Awards event.
Beauty habits causing skin inflammation discussed in article.
Reese Witherspoon promoting Apple TV's The Last Thing He Told Me.
Hillary Clinton celebrates Suffs Broadway opening night.
Kaia Gerber at the 41st Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards.
Kylie Jenner stuns at Acne Studios photocall in Paris.
Hair mistakes that could be aging you, according to stylists.
Kim Kardashian and Saint West enjoying a day out together.
Jaden Smith at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Benefit.
Zendaya at Spider-Man photocall event.
Foundation types for mature skin to minimize fine lines.
Nicole Kidman speaking at Kering's Women in Motion event.
Kimberly Guilfoyle visiting Thessaloniki as ambassador.
Melania Trump at Women's History Month event as First Lady.
Fresh haircuts and styles for a polished modern look in 2026.
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner at a public event.
The viral Italian bob hair trend for summer 2023.
Brad Pitt and Ines de Ramon at F1 World Premiere.
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift attending a sports event together.
Amazon Prime Day promotions displayed on devices.

Fashion

This summer, I might be shopping for more clothes and ...

Britney Spears dazzles at Hollywood Beauty Awards event.
Beauty habits causing skin inflammation discussed in article.
Reese Witherspoon promoting Apple TV's The Last Thing He Told Me.
Hillary Clinton celebrates Suffs Broadway opening night.
Kaia Gerber at the 41st Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards.
Kylie Jenner stuns at Acne Studios photocall in Paris.
Hair mistakes that could be aging you, according to stylists.
Kim Kardashian and Saint West enjoying a day out together.
Jaden Smith at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Benefit.
Zendaya at Spider-Man photocall event.
Foundation types for mature skin to minimize fine lines.
Nicole Kidman speaking at Kering's Women in Motion event.
Kimberly Guilfoyle visiting Thessaloniki as ambassador.
Melania Trump at Women's History Month event as First Lady.
Fresh haircuts and styles for a polished modern look in 2026.