The Rise And Fall Of American Apparel

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  • čas přidán 14. 01. 2020
  • At American Apparel's peak, it was one of the most popular teen retail stores in the 2000s. Controversial CEO Dov Charney and sexual marketing made the brand, but that is also what led to its fall from grace. Will a new turnaround plan be enough for investors and consumers to get behind the retail brand?
    “Dov Charney was way ahead of his time from the point of view of what he was doing right,” said Jan Rogers Kniffen, CEO of J. Rogers Kniffen WWE. “He was manufacturing in the U.S. He was taking on all the social issues. He was all about perfecting immigration, LGBT rights, not using models who were made up or airbrushed or anything.”
    But he was also doing a lot of things wrong. Allegations of sexual harassment surfaced around Charney, and people started to wonder if American Apparel’s overtly sexualized image went too far. In 2014, the board of American Apparel ousted Charney.
    CORRECTION (January 22, 2020): At 2.49, we stated American Apparel had about 60 stores and revenue of over $275 million. American Apparel had 103 stores and revenues of more than $210 million.
    At 4:18, we stated American Apparel closed more stores than it opened in 2009. American Apparel started closing more stores than it opened, shrinking its footprint, in 2010.
    At 2:15, we stated that American Apparel shifted manufacturing to Mexico. American Apparel experimented with manufacturing in Mexico after its products were produced in South Carolina and Los Angeles.
    At 3:33, we stated same-store sales growth at American Apparel was 7% in 2006. It was 5%.
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    The Rise And Fall Of American Apparel

Komentáře • 743

  • @larrnt
    @larrnt Před 4 lety +3012

    Rise: kids buying with parents money
    Fall: young adults not wanting to spend their own money on overpriced basic clothes.

    • @lolagreydottir6429
      @lolagreydottir6429 Před 4 lety +70

      Same with forever 21

    • @aayonce4
      @aayonce4 Před 4 lety +2

      Period

    • @maryperry6573
      @maryperry6573 Před 4 lety +6

      EXACTLY!

    • @FrancesMonique
      @FrancesMonique Před 4 lety +202

      Lola Greydóttir the fall of forever 21 differs. The people who were buying forever 21 are now adults who see the value in buying higher priced goods made with higher quality materials rather than buying cheaply made clothing that will not last.

    • @kickballfever
      @kickballfever Před 4 lety +78

      @@lolagreydottir6429 Forever 21 makes clothes that are much cheaper and less basic than American Apparel. I wouldn't quite compare the two.

  • @meliss298
    @meliss298 Před 4 lety +1208

    It’s really hard to find basics honestly, most companies add some unnecessary design to their clothing that always ruins it; so I do miss AA

    • @ulayla1605
      @ulayla1605 Před 4 lety +20

      Melissa Charles UM h and m, zara, shein all have basic clothes you don’t need to pay 70 for a basic white shirt sorry

    • @meliss298
      @meliss298 Před 4 lety +126

      Lxxrt ew h&m and shein have terrible quality and sweatshop labor, the clothing really doesn’t last. Zara has some good basics though but the style is less casual; I specifically love their coats. I would say the best, highest quality basics today is probably UNIQLO imo. But every company has the things they do best and they are all different. Levis for example has one of the best T-Shirt fits and they’re like $50. Also it does cost a lot more to make things in America but it’s good for the economy so you’re paying for that too. Sorry not sorry.

    • @Max-un7qt
      @Max-un7qt Před 4 lety +16

      you guys know aa has an online store right

    • @chetannae2324
      @chetannae2324 Před 4 lety +11

      They rebranded I think and Los Angeles apparel is basically AA now. You should check them out, I love their scatterbox deal.

    • @juliewilk9317
      @juliewilk9317 Před 4 lety +2

      They are still online. They frequently run sales for extra 50% off clearance and about twice a year 70% off clearance. They just ran a sale last month where I stocked up on 100% cotton t-shirts for $3-4.

  • @daiiinja1
    @daiiinja1 Před 4 lety +271

    It is "expensive" because it is made in USA. They paid their employees the California wage ordinance. The quality of it can last years. The clothes I own from AA lasted me years. It is simple, yet can be worn everyday.

    • @thelonercoder5816
      @thelonercoder5816 Před 3 lety +4

      Ummm. Most clothes last years if you take care of them lol.

    • @thelonercoder5816
      @thelonercoder5816 Před 3 lety +1

      @@tiffany3652 Well yah that's online and alot of online stuff is dropshipped straight from China. I'm talking about real life where you can actually feel and try on the clothes. I shop at cheap stores like H&M, Walmart, and Forman mills and have outfits that have lasted for 4+ years. I'd never buy a item of clothing that i can't try on first.

    • @AetherealGirl
      @AetherealGirl Před 2 lety +1

      @@thelonercoder5816 Not true. I take EXTREMELY good care of all of my clothes, yet I've had garments from cheaper brands start to fall apart after only a few months despite my efforts. Meanwhile, my 10 year old cardigan from American Apparel (which has been worn and washed hundreds of times) still looks new. It hasn't lost it's shape, the fabric hasn't thinned or pilled, and the color hasn't faded. I've never even had to replace a button on it!

    • @bastianpate-uc5hd
      @bastianpate-uc5hd Před 9 měsíci

      Exactly they were simple but high quality I have a hooddie for 12 years now and is like new

    • @USA-qm2bk
      @USA-qm2bk Před 6 měsíci

      Nah it’s not totally made in the USA, it’s assembled in the USA

  • @marsyedid666
    @marsyedid666 Před 4 lety +869

    I literally don’t care if the clothes were ‘basic’ AA did the BEST jeans THE BEST. Amazing shoes as well. Till this day I still have those jeans

    • @MishaMarieXX
      @MishaMarieXX Před 4 lety +15

      Preach. I still have their bras and bodysuits!

    • @britt1953
      @britt1953 Před 4 lety +6

      Yes! And their two piece matching sets

    • @tomwilson2083
      @tomwilson2083 Před 4 lety +27

      Check out “Los Angeles apparel” started by the same guy and has very similar style + ethos

    • @missjngo
      @missjngo Před 4 lety +3

      No pants ever fit me as well as AA! It was so flattering.

    • @mellowmartita
      @mellowmartita Před 4 lety +3

      Zully Yedid I used to LOVE the easy jeans and would buy them for $35 at the factory store I was so sad when they closed 😩

  • @janer805
    @janer805 Před 4 lety +697

    I miss the old AA. The stuffs I bought from AA years ago have lasted me till today despite innumerable washes. Excellent quality! Thanks to the comment section I’ve found out about LA apparel, so excited to try. Hope it’s the same quality as the former AA.

    • @danidelafuente1
      @danidelafuente1 Před 4 lety +12

      Jane Robert it is! Sadly still horrific sizing though

    • @b1121
      @b1121 Před 4 lety +5

      Jane Robert try out American Giant.

    • @giangstr
      @giangstr Před 4 lety +5

      It’s because it’s made in LA. I miss it too, I used to work down the street from them. And they had an outlet store that has A lot of stuff. :(

    • @janer805
      @janer805 Před 4 lety +15

      giangstr I used to work for AA as well years ago. The new AA quality is not even close to what it used to be. :(

    • @janer805
      @janer805 Před 4 lety +2

      Dani D thanks your response. Yeah, I noticed their size chart was not clear at all. Would you say from your experience it’s smaller or bigger?

  • @shychick96
    @shychick96 Před 4 lety +248

    15 year old me thought my booty was poppin in the disco pants

    • @miapia7229
      @miapia7229 Před 4 lety +4

      Fiona Wong your booty probably was. My toosh was. I loved those disco pants!

    • @Mollycrimey
      @Mollycrimey Před 4 lety +4

      Those pants made people look snatched 👌🏻

    • @missjngo
      @missjngo Před 4 lety +4

      I still wear mine!!

    • @christynpolk2855
      @christynpolk2855 Před 4 lety +3

      Their disco pants were EVERYTHING!

    • @LauraNeuzeth
      @LauraNeuzeth Před 4 lety +4

      Fiona Wong I still have a pair of disco pants. I love them so much!

  • @butjustwhy3931
    @butjustwhy3931 Před 4 lety +369

    AA was the most legit brand for hipsters in the mid 2000’s. It was definitely a cult following type of vibe. Went hand in hand with the underground arty party scene in whatever city you name. You basically had to understand that scene to “get” their marketing ads. Hipsters would mix AA with vintage and designer clothes and that was basically it. It was an extremely fun place to work if you were a “cool “ kid lol. My friends that worked there were all cocaine thin, popular, and got a ton of free stuff all the time because you could wear whatever you wanted off the shelf during your shift and then keep it lol.
    I always liked their simple designs that was the point it was minimalist but totally recognizable. Imo they still have the best hoodies hands down. Cherney was just a wealthy scene guy, yea could be creepy but so are a lot of ppl like that. Times change and we move on, AA was perfect for its time.

  • @paumango2178
    @paumango2178 Před 4 lety +462

    The only thing I loved about AA was their tennis skirt wich I never could aford

  • @nataliec2685
    @nataliec2685 Před 4 lety +220

    It’s Los Angeles apparel now.

    • @user-in5ru2cd9l
      @user-in5ru2cd9l Před 4 lety

      Hhahah lmao

    • @Pumpkinmarie21
      @Pumpkinmarie21 Před 4 lety

      Is it? Cause i was wondering if the company was related to it

    • @nataliec2685
      @nataliec2685 Před 4 lety +1

      Desiree Mcneil yes! Check out the instagram. Dov is the ceo.

    • @xanthra592
      @xanthra592 Před 4 lety +2

      @@Pumpkinmarie21 yea and there are manufacturing masks to combat the whole coronavirus ordeal

  • @tomwilson2083
    @tomwilson2083 Před 4 lety +168

    You missed the fact that Doug started a new, nearly identical brand called “los Angeles apparel” in 2016

    • @callmema14
      @callmema14 Před 4 lety +8

      Is it still made in the U.S.?

    • @becauseimlex8176
      @becauseimlex8176 Před 4 lety +4

      I freakin knew it. Love you for this comment 😈😈😈

    • @kittyvu5045
      @kittyvu5045 Před 4 lety +3

      Oh, that's where Ashley aka bestdresseds tan skater skirt is from!

    • @missmelodies52
      @missmelodies52 Před 4 lety

      Ooooh I literally thought that WAS American apparel now

    • @SA2004YG
      @SA2004YG Před 4 lety +1

      @@kittyvu5045 ❤️ Ashley

  • @beaberrylious
    @beaberrylious Před 4 lety +167

    It’s such a shame how a company goes down like this.

    • @xanthra592
      @xanthra592 Před 4 lety

      its coming back up, its now los angeles apparel

  • @keniarosemary
    @keniarosemary Před 4 lety +110

    I love this Rise and Fall series. It's so relevant because so many traditional businesses are failing!

    • @rodrigo64699
      @rodrigo64699 Před 2 lety +1

      Yeah, That’s what I’m watching. See Abandoned by Bright Sun Films, lt’s like this but more in depth.

    • @kaitlynfaith3033
      @kaitlynfaith3033 Před 2 lety +1

      the business insider one is really good too. i like it a lil better actually

  • @amapparatistkwabena
    @amapparatistkwabena Před 4 lety +453

    If it's not made in the US, what's the point? I bought their shirts just because I felt like it was the least I could do. Not interested otherwise.

    • @consumerwatch7479
      @consumerwatch7479 Před 4 lety +25

      I agree if it’s not made in the us it’s not really American Appreal

    • @OneOriginalMAC
      @OneOriginalMAC Před 4 lety +8

      EXACTLY "NOT American Apparel"

    • @hamsterama
      @hamsterama Před 4 lety +32

      The workers at American Apparel were illegal immigrants. So, instead of importing clothes made by foreign workers, American Apparel just imported the foreign workers themselves. So, if the new company makes the clothes in central America, it really doesn't make a difference. I'd rather the company pay good, livable wages to workers in their own country, rather than encouraging cheap, illegal labor in LA.

    • @Watch-0w1
      @Watch-0w1 Před 4 lety +16

      @@hamsterama but they say they pay their illegal worker good wage

    • @jacobr5627
      @jacobr5627 Před 4 lety +9

      Charney's new company is Los Angeles Apparel, they are 100% made in the U.S.A.

  • @Burningdaylighter
    @Burningdaylighter Před 4 lety +321

    The Founder of AA made a new company called Los Angeles Apparel. It’s very similar to AA

    • @nzmanhdee6246
      @nzmanhdee6246 Před 4 lety +8

      Ugh

    • @user-vf6cz8el8x
      @user-vf6cz8el8x Před 4 lety +8

      Yea I don't know how they missed that.

    • @AprilHarmony9
      @AprilHarmony9 Před 4 lety +11

      The missed it b/c they are trying to make sales and retail look bad. Thats been the trend in order to get ppl to care less about their appearance. Its the whole "It doesn't matter how you" trend and it's a bunch of BS.

    • @user-vf6cz8el8x
      @user-vf6cz8el8x Před 4 lety +9

      @@AprilHarmony9really? What would be their interest in making retail look bad?

    • @b1121
      @b1121 Před 4 lety

      J socialism....

  • @maddie2876
    @maddie2876 Před 4 lety +15

    I still own items from AA from 8-10 years ago and they are still in good condition! I just remember seeing their ads in magazines and I loved the aesthetic, it was basic, simple, and classic. Once Charney left AA, the brand got ruined and the quality and the styles got worse.

  • @meiquinn6007
    @meiquinn6007 Před 4 lety +97

    American Apparel was my life back in high school.

  • @papito2222
    @papito2222 Před 4 lety +747

    Can American Apparel make a comeback? *No, it’s too expensive for cheap clothing*

    • @LC-kk9kc
      @LC-kk9kc Před 4 lety +49

      I thought the quality was good

    • @angelgjr1999
      @angelgjr1999 Před 4 lety +42

      That’s what happens when wages are stagnant while rent prices go up. People can’t afford expensive clothing anymore.

    • @JamaicanMeCrazy
      @JamaicanMeCrazy Před 4 lety +23

      @@angelgjr1999 why would they want expensive clothing when you can buy cheap ones with similar quality

    • @chepeolvera8057
      @chepeolvera8057 Před 4 lety +6

      Jamaican Me Crazy What price range would you consider cheap?

    • @JamaicanMeCrazy
      @JamaicanMeCrazy Před 4 lety +11

      @@chepeolvera8057 a quarter of what they're currently charging. If there's a Ross or Marshall's near you go check em out. TJ Maxx dd's, Burlington an so forth. I stopped buying expensive clothes years ago and I've never looked better.

  • @topaz1558
    @topaz1558 Před 4 lety +42

    I just ordered a lump sum amount of clothes from them recently, and the quality is not the same anymore. Everything is made in China. If you still want that quality from before they were bought out, shop Los Angeles Apparel.

    • @bee475
      @bee475 Před 4 lety +2

      bless this comment 🙏💖

    • @jessiiet7757
      @jessiiet7757 Před 2 lety

      did u order their easy jeans? really want those again. I see them on Amazon

  • @jakasulthon
    @jakasulthon Před 4 lety +107

    Being committed to all-American production and "Made in USA" is not easy way to do. The government didn't give support at all...

  • @jacobr5627
    @jacobr5627 Před 4 lety +166

    This video fails to mention anything about Dov Charney starting Los Angeles Apparel after leaving American Apparel.

  • @stebopign
    @stebopign Před 4 lety +482

    so this is the guy who started making t shirts smaller. wtf.

    • @jonny5777
      @jonny5777 Před 4 lety +99

      stebopign pretty much, American clothes were always super baggy for some reason he made them look more European and less like you'd borrowed them from your big brother.

    • @zcorpalpha2462
      @zcorpalpha2462 Před 4 lety +6

      stebopign I’m 6 Foot 5 inches tall, I love fitted clothes. Makes me look fit

    • @jillmarie3841
      @jillmarie3841 Před 4 lety +6

      I always thought his sweatshirts (the zip up hoodies) looked SO good on all the scene kids but then they looked huge on me lol

    • @spaceinbetween6591
      @spaceinbetween6591 Před 4 lety +7

      SoftwareDev 101 Visited paris a couple days ago, all the young people are rocking looser wide-fit cropped jeans

    • @unassumingaccount395
      @unassumingaccount395 Před 4 lety

      @@spaceinbetween6591 Loose is best lmao

  • @rootsm3
    @rootsm3 Před 4 lety +212

    I miss American Apparel. Their clothes were such good quality and were so soft.

    • @joebie7315
      @joebie7315 Před 4 lety +1

      They don't miss you

    • @CoolForSale
      @CoolForSale Před 4 lety +13

      They weren't good quality imo... but the clothes were soft and very fashion forward though.... I loved them but they were definitely overpriced.

    • @terrytaylor5192
      @terrytaylor5192 Před 4 lety +3

      OFF HYPE overpriced for you dear

    • @JMikaelian95
      @JMikaelian95 Před 4 lety +1

      @@terrytaylor5192 😐

    • @kickballfever
      @kickballfever Před 4 lety +12

      @@terrytaylor5192 A person can afford something and still think it's overpriced. You can have money but not want to get ripped off.

  • @cedrikmarchildon8301
    @cedrikmarchildon8301 Před 4 lety +82

    I think it is important to specify that Mr. Charney started a new company, Los Angeles Apparel. This one still manufactures its products in America, mostly with the ex-American Apparel employees and facilities.

  • @mynameisalwaypoppi
    @mynameisalwaypoppi Před 4 lety +303

    They forgot to say all the sexual assault lawsuits that American Apparel settled also contributed to ruining the company financially.

  • @salpine
    @salpine Před 4 lety +17

    People remarking about the "overpriced" clothes... yeah it's because at one point the workers who made it in the US were paid a fair wage. Globalism has destroyed everything and now we're conditioned to feel bad paying fair prices so a mfg can pay fair wages. It's tragic what happened to this company.

  • @Wasserfeld.
    @Wasserfeld. Před 4 lety +106

    They had a shop in Nottingham here in England. Never ventured in. Tbh, it just seemed like yet another shop alongside Hollister, Abercombie, etc, trying to be "cool" and overpriced. What they should've done is had a one or two shops in major locations in major world cities. Anyway honestly, did they think "Made in the USA" was supposed to mean something OUTSIDE of the US? Means sod all in Europe and I bet elsewhere too.

    • @personificafions
      @personificafions Před 4 lety +2

      Wasserfeld their Nottingham store has been empty since they’ve left like 4 years ago lol, overpriced sht

    • @jtwright4095
      @jtwright4095 Před 4 lety +1

      Totally agree.
      And then come to find out that they hire actual models to work the floor in front! And they play music really loudly on purpose, for some sort of marketing reason or something.
      Twisted~~🤪

    • @Wasserfeld.
      @Wasserfeld. Před 4 lety

      @@personificafions I'm still surprised they still have the signage up lool

    • @kkon8966
      @kkon8966 Před 4 lety +1

      Well with Brexit brits don’t have any money for anything anyway. Stick with Tesco and M&S high fashion

    • @mococaboy17
      @mococaboy17 Před 4 lety

      USA is better than Europe

  • @carlgrimeseyepatch27
    @carlgrimeseyepatch27 Před 4 lety +244

    The clothing was kinda boring and didn’t fit a variety of of body types i wanted to wear there stuff so bad but it never worked out for me lol

    • @littlemissherpderp
      @littlemissherpderp Před 4 lety +14

      Elizabeth Nicole maybe because u never worked out 🤐 lmao

    • @bitcoinkang
      @bitcoinkang Před 4 lety +4

      lose weight

    • @carlgrimeseyepatch27
      @carlgrimeseyepatch27 Před 4 lety +16

      Lol I’m not obese guys chill 😂😂

    • @laurencydni
      @laurencydni Před 4 lety +18

      @@carlgrimeseyepatch27 Damn people are savage, I could barely fit their stuff and I'm 5'7 and 140 (which is a healthy weight for my height) lmaoo these girls commenting were bullies in high school

    • @buckodonnghaile4309
      @buckodonnghaile4309 Před 4 lety +2

      @@laurencydni these people are brutal.

  • @casy6203
    @casy6203 Před 4 lety +141

    When I was in college I was obsessed with AA spending ridiculous amounts of money that I didnt really have. I wanted so bad to be those skinny cool effortless girls.

    • @noneofurbusiness7501
      @noneofurbusiness7501 Před 4 lety +17

      reminds me of brandy and those minimalist type looks that are popular now, they were ahead of their time that is for sure

    • @Qeengish
      @Qeengish Před 4 lety +5

      That was my look in the early days of my adulthood. The deep v-neck tees we so nice on my little cleavage. A decade later I’m a fat mom shopping 2nd hand. Lol.

    • @ajgreen9289
      @ajgreen9289 Před 4 lety

      Same!!

  • @THALASA
    @THALASA Před 4 lety +77

    Back in 2009 I walked into their store took a look at the price of their t shirt €50, never entered one again.

    • @josephsvennson5694
      @josephsvennson5694 Před 4 lety +12

      Oh, you'd prefer to wear clothes made by slaves then?

    • @mazzyfart420
      @mazzyfart420 Před 4 lety +7

      Joseph Svennson Nice straw man Joe! 👍

    • @THALASA
      @THALASA Před 4 lety +2

      @@josephsvennson5694 Id rather pay for clothing from poor countries then from a country that's is willing or has already bombed them in the past

    • @tay2944
      @tay2944 Před 4 lety +2

      Joseph Svennson or just go to the goodwill or Salvation Army. Tf

  • @briellericker8569
    @briellericker8569 Před 4 lety +181

    i spent like 90 bucks in highschool for a basic beige sweater lolll

    • @michaelmanwell8477
      @michaelmanwell8477 Před 4 lety +18

      I spent like $ 50.00 on their basic zip up sweatshirt that everyone was wearing back in 2009 or so Lol.

    • @GameFuMaster
      @GameFuMaster Před 4 lety +8

      @tommy aronson lap dances never go out of fashion :D

    • @terrytaylor5192
      @terrytaylor5192 Před 4 lety

      I spent $60 on a genuine leather cap and it was well worth it.

    • @Mollycrimey
      @Mollycrimey Před 4 lety +5

      Michael Manwell 50 bucks is a normal price for a sweater

    • @akolyt
      @akolyt Před 3 lety

      that's not a bad price

  • @classicredwine
    @classicredwine Před 4 lety +98

    I still have American Apparel pieces that I bought 15 years ago. Sad part, some of them can still be purchased on their website. They didn’t do a good job of staying current with fashion trends

    • @brosnan
      @brosnan Před 4 lety +20

      lol what, a black or white t shirt is always in style, its clothing not an iphone, does not need updates every year

    • @feleciaclemons5074
      @feleciaclemons5074 Před 4 lety +9

      Orrrrrr! Or! The stuff is timeless?? Im not sure. I think thats it, though

  • @Flaubert
    @Flaubert Před 4 lety +50

    Funny how they talk about 'fair wages'. My friend was shop manager for one of their stores and they would almost never pay on time. He even had to work 6 months without payment. (What is fair about that?)
    I don't think he was the only one that has been treated this way.

    • @USA-qm2bk
      @USA-qm2bk Před 4 lety +19

      Flaubert did he quit after working months without pay? Real question

    • @Flaubert
      @Flaubert Před 4 lety +17

      @@USA-qm2bk yes. He had to fight it through court. It was a long long period and he was so desperate to pay rent for his appartement. Awful company.

    • @j.baldwinwasagenius...7575
      @j.baldwinwasagenius...7575 Před 4 lety

      Cool story.

    • @pev789
      @pev789 Před 4 lety +32

      Ur friend stupid who works for six months without pay?! If my direct deposit don’t hit I ain’t showing up to work the next day lol

    • @Flaubert
      @Flaubert Před 4 lety +2

      @@pev789 it's a law to show up in Austria. You get the money anyway for 6 months if the company cannot pay. But you have to show up. So much for the stupidity.

  • @wurlistrat
    @wurlistrat Před 4 lety +87

    No one wants to pay $30 for a single pair of undies. All their clothing shrinks when washed. They just moved sweatshops to LA. American Apparel RIP.

  • @TheBaileyGirl2896
    @TheBaileyGirl2896 Před 4 lety +10

    They sold the best high waisted shorts ever! I still have my four pairs and they’re over 6 years old! They’re still and look new.

  • @CodingAbroad
    @CodingAbroad Před 4 lety +79

    It seems any company which ousts their founder (whether justified or not) are doomed to fail

  • @videogamesare1
    @videogamesare1 Před 4 lety +30

    Creepy, Terry Richardson ads

  • @collapsingagain
    @collapsingagain Před 4 lety +2

    I used to work here in 2014 as a sales associate. Clothes were too expensive to afford, but we did get 50% off and free clothes a few times a year. Corporate had strict guidelines for how the store was supposed to be arranged and we had to take photos of the store every night to prove that we were up to code. I was hired just as Dov was being removed and some sort of bankruptcy manager was stepping in. I left a year or so before they closed all the stores.

  • @willardSpirit
    @willardSpirit Před 4 lety +73

    Uniqlo is where it's at. Mostly because I can't find proper fitting clothes for my frame 😅

    • @1rockcrawford
      @1rockcrawford Před 4 lety +6

      Willy Wong Uniqlo is trash, if you’re tall and have any shape. Their shirts are so boxy and short.

    • @kickballfever
      @kickballfever Před 4 lety +5

      @@1rockcrawford Uniqlo is trash no matter what shape you have. It's so over hyped yet equally disappointing.

    • @elisha_kl
      @elisha_kl Před 4 lety +18

      Willy Wong Uniqlo is fast fashion and unethical :(

    • @willardSpirit
      @willardSpirit Před 4 lety

      @@elisha_kl I only buy a few articles of clothing a year and use it for as long as possible. But over production in clothing industry is insane. As consumers and citizens we must demand them to think sustainable business practices

    • @missahmoo
      @missahmoo Před 4 lety +8

      Uniqlo is cool if you like your jeans to look like sweatpants after wearing them for under 2 hours

  • @JEFFKINGS
    @JEFFKINGS Před 4 lety +13

    Had no idea that they were even still around, let alone a Gildan owned company. Does that mean the American Apparel line will all be horribly cut and boxy, or will Gildan get a clue and realize that not everyone is built like a refrigerator?

  • @ReadLoveListen
    @ReadLoveListen Před 4 lety +56

    They had nice quality shirts when you needed them for groups. They weren’t that standard boxy uncomfortable shirts. Although I will say the advertisements made me cringe.

  • @velious2121
    @velious2121 Před 4 lety +245

    Lol “American” apparel owned by a Canadian company and not even made is the US..

    • @jadam4036
      @jadam4036 Před 4 lety +62

      Nathan Winslow Canada is still in North America. But idk

    • @Qeengish
      @Qeengish Před 4 lety +18

      You do understand that the USA doesn’t have a trademark on the term “American,” right? Anyone born on the continents of North or South America are considered Americans.

    • @velious2121
      @velious2121 Před 4 lety +2

      @@Qeengish No. That's incorrect. Look up the definition of "American". 1. A native or citizen of the United States.

    • @kevinbooth-
      @kevinbooth- Před 4 lety +3

      1: an American Indian of North America or South America
      2: a native or inhabitant of North America or South America
      3: a native or inhabitant of the U.S. : a U.S. citizen
      www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/American

    • @todoldtrafford
      @todoldtrafford Před 4 lety +2

      They branded themselves as a “Made in the USA” company, NOT Canada. Dumb inbreds

  • @meditatewithme5189
    @meditatewithme5189 Před 4 lety +67

    I remember when this store came out i was like why is everything so plain then I walked out lol it's just disappointing but it may do good online

    • @Cortesevasive
      @Cortesevasive Před 4 lety

      form fallows function

    • @Triaanx28
      @Triaanx28 Před 4 lety +1

      that’s what I loved about it lol. I hate tshirts with tacky sayings and patterns. I just want a basic ass shirt or hoodie

    • @Smartyppq
      @Smartyppq Před 3 lety +1

      Right! Looks like how Kanye dresses his kids.

  • @LauraNeuzeth
    @LauraNeuzeth Před 4 lety +2

    American Apparel really paved the way for ethical fashion. I don’t think brands like Everlane and Uniqlo would have emerged if it wasn’t for AA demonstrating that there is a market for high quality basics. I still have several AA clothing in great quality that are now around over 10 years old and have been washed hundreds of times.

  • @karmak7835
    @karmak7835 Před 4 lety +3

    I wanted to work for this company so bad, I literally was counting down the years to reach the legal age to work for them. The local stores in Toronto closed way before I got the chance to turn 18 and apply. I used to love this store!

  • @MsLenaCali
    @MsLenaCali Před 4 lety +1

    I used to wear American apparel all the time. I loved how many different saturated colors they had in their tank tops. I will look for them online now. I had no idea they were in the online game. Great video, thank you💖

  • @eddiethewhale3268
    @eddiethewhale3268 Před 4 lety +25

    I only know about American Apparel because of the American Apparel Ad Girls: Willam, Alaska, and Courtney 😂

  • @kutter_ttl6786
    @kutter_ttl6786 Před 4 lety +6

    Never bought their t-shirts because I didn't see them as that much better than other tees but their hoodies were pretty solid. I bought a bunch when they were clearing out their stores and they're the most comfortable and longest lasting hoodies I've ever had.

  • @lkevinl35
    @lkevinl35 Před 4 lety

    Great background soundtrack and editing 👌🏾

  • @tjones08911
    @tjones08911 Před 4 lety +13

    I wanted those goddamn disco pants so bad 😩

  • @TaiJ-Aird
    @TaiJ-Aird Před 4 lety +12

    As a former AA employee .. I have to say it was one of my funnest but most confusing times.. we were definitely exploited ..I could never wear most of what I wore then now but it did help me embrace the "no makeup/natural look".. Dov always was an anomaly to us .. after seeing the video of him twirling his d*** around at a photo shoot I was like yup time to go this place is going down lol

  • @stephm4047
    @stephm4047 Před 4 lety +36

    They had a store in Paris. I went once to buy products because the concept of color block basics made in LA seemed cool. But the quality was in fact so bad that I never went back. Japanese brands such as MUJI or UNIQLO are so much better.

    • @the_letter_b
      @the_letter_b Před 4 lety +2

      Yeah, that's long been an issue even during its prime. The fitting was inconsistent (could buy the same style shirt in the same size and color from 2 different locations and they'd often be different enough to notice), they often got deformed looking once washed, and were expensive for basic clothes. Also, they always seemed to hire the most snobby hipster and wannabe model type young people they could find.

    • @jamesprovost2602
      @jamesprovost2602 Před 4 lety

      Soo true

    • @carmenl9682
      @carmenl9682 Před 4 lety +1

      But isn't Uniqlo made in sweatshops?

  • @gumzy3000
    @gumzy3000 Před 4 lety +3

    They had really good clothes in a variety of colours and simple designs. I do miss this place a lot. Honestly speaking though, American Apparel's failure seems like a conspiracy to me. I am sure a lot of other clothes companies were scared or jealous at how successful AA was because they actually paid their worker's fair wages in fair conditions in AMERICA. AA was doing this while other companies were still paying their clothes makers super low wages in third world countries. Perhaps this made AA hated in the clothes industry since the stores business model was truly revolutionary in a way and those older companies were scared their profits would be hurt if they had to actually pay their workers a fair wage? Just an idea...

  • @EugeneBuvard
    @EugeneBuvard Před 4 lety +5

    I remember their shop in Amsterdam around 2009 and it was great. Loved the style and the quality was good. I still have a black jeans from them.

  • @Kknah91
    @Kknah91 Před 4 lety +6

    I loved AA in high school! Still love tbh. All the stuff I bought was well made and lasted me YEARS.

  • @kt3513
    @kt3513 Před 4 lety +73

    You do what happened to BEBE because I used work for them

    • @ariyuh
      @ariyuh Před 4 lety +23

      lol i remember my mom bought these plain pants and shirts and took iron ons and ironed on Bebe on her clothes

    • @mOnika-pt6vk
      @mOnika-pt6vk Před 4 lety +2

      I have some great jackets from there. Plus I get compliments when I wear them.

    • @jonestacara
      @jonestacara Před 4 lety +1

      I used to love Bebe so much! Remember when they had special designer collabs. Their clothes look the same and not ahead of the trends like they used to be

  • @writheagainsoon
    @writheagainsoon Před 4 lety +51

    I love how you can tell who stays bitter about the fact their moms bought them forever 21 instead of AA 😂

  • @user-fn9os7gp4w
    @user-fn9os7gp4w Před 4 lety +2

    I've been waiting for a story on American Apparel from CNBC... Love CNBC CZcams Channel.

  • @WTFMannyxFTW
    @WTFMannyxFTW Před 4 lety +3

    I'm here because of Kacy Hill
    (If you dont know her, she's a singer she made a song with Travis Scott, etc.)
    Anyways, she was a model for American apparel and she was just a teen, she said like pretty much all of it was basically "Nudity", there models where completely see through clothes regularly.
    This would be okay if they were all adults, marketed to adults. But it gets very sketchy, very fast.

  • @ImTotallySummer
    @ImTotallySummer Před 4 lety

    I loved the way the clothes fit and I missed going to factory in LA to buy clothes sometimes half priced because the colors were slightly off or stitched wrong on accident. My favorite pastime as a child. Will Always miss that

  • @IrasemaHernandez_
    @IrasemaHernandez_ Před 4 lety +8

    if you would like the quality American Apparel used to have, Dov Charney created Los Angeles apparel which is American Apparel 2.0

  • @evastood4539
    @evastood4539 Před 4 lety +28

    Omg I remember going to the nearest American apparel by me and getting only 3 tops that cost me close to $200😱But I knew they weren’t made in sweatshops so I felt good after😌

  • @user-ho3dx3od9y
    @user-ho3dx3od9y Před 4 lety +8

    I never understood this company. The clothes are boring and a tad expensive. I remember when they first opened a store in my city. I had high expectations and they were certainly dashed. For me being made in North America factors only partially. The garments need to be well styled. I checked out the online site and the clothes have not gotten anymore stylish. I think the brand’s days are gone and I don’t see much hope for them. If there was hope the new owner would have opened some stores. Hope they didn’t pay a lot for what they got.

  • @tropicalvirgo
    @tropicalvirgo Před 4 lety +13

    I remember when I was 16 trying to apply to this place and had to upload headshots ... you had to look a certain way in order to work at the shops.

  • @mococaboy17
    @mococaboy17 Před 4 lety +8

    No, the downfall is when they stopped making them in USA!

  • @jadabookieworm
    @jadabookieworm Před 4 lety +2

    Wow I miss being able to walk into the American Apparel store. I remember in high school people wearing their stuff and looking great in it. I remember seeing them it so much on Tumblr. It was almost like the it girl that Brandy Mellville tries to be today. (Yikes) But I still thrift for their stuff and feel happy when I find one of their iconic pieces that is not made anymore.

  • @minhlede
    @minhlede Před 4 lety +1

    Still loving it. I grew up with this brand. The hoodies, the windbreakers, the shirts and of course the famous gym bag.

  • @keeganwozniak
    @keeganwozniak Před 4 lety +18

    I highly doubt a comeback.

  • @cynthiaromero4312
    @cynthiaromero4312 Před 4 lety +32

    I use to love American apparel in High School they were so bomb

  • @kaylasmith2435
    @kaylasmith2435 Před 4 lety +2

    It’s been about 10 years since I bought things from AA. I still have them, and they’re still in good shape. I miss its good days.

  • @jivillain
    @jivillain Před 4 lety +32

    I think the highlight is the background music

    • @phoenix5054
      @phoenix5054 Před 4 lety +3

      jian chen Sounds like a cat walk background music.

  • @analycervantes7672
    @analycervantes7672 Před 4 lety +1

    This just took me back to my AA days! I loved working there, the vibe, all my friends worked there, & all the free clothes was a plus. It was awesome but I will say when corporate would come from LA to visit our stores you could smell the bouuuugieness a mile away!

  • @tecpaocelotl
    @tecpaocelotl Před 4 lety +22

    No point on buying clothes from american apparel if the business isn't an American business made in America.

    • @fjuris3116
      @fjuris3116 Před 4 lety +2

      technically it still is made in america

    • @Alikaoz
      @Alikaoz Před 4 lety

      Having clothes, maybe?

    • @tecpaocelotl
      @tecpaocelotl Před 4 lety

      I meant from american apparel.

  • @LoFiLime
    @LoFiLime Před 4 lety +1

    I'm still wearing some AA cardigans I bought over 10 years ago, they're honestly still in great shape and feel good. The hoodies pilled their way to high heaven and the shirts kept on shrinking.

  • @foxycinnamon7307
    @foxycinnamon7307 Před 4 lety

    I remember when an American Apparel took over the local Gap - I saw sequined miniskirts in the billboard ad and thought: not for me.

  • @boomsuga
    @boomsuga Před 4 lety +84

    So shouldn’t it be called Canadian apparel?

    • @hanifhearts
      @hanifhearts Před 4 lety +1

      Aware of 'Lauren Phoenix'? She's from Canada too 😜

    • @westen141
      @westen141 Před 4 lety

      looney apparel?

    • @rbk2kpro
      @rbk2kpro Před 4 lety +1

      Lol, it would sell less. Especially in the us

    • @Happybidr
      @Happybidr Před 4 lety +2

      The more I know about business, the more I am aware of the incredibly intense desire of so many companies and entrepreneurs in a variety of industries to enter the American market. It makes me more and more want to support Made in America companies, at the least in employment and moving to suppliers.

    • @danesebruno
      @danesebruno Před 4 lety +8

      Canada is part of America

  • @goldiea8598
    @goldiea8598 Před 4 lety +4

    I remember the first time going into one in Toronto when i was 14 and somehow their sizes were only upto like medium or large. Which was stupid because this was like 2013 or 2014.

  • @johndonaldson3619
    @johndonaldson3619 Před 4 lety +2

    Yep, there was even a store here in little old Adelaide, Australia

    • @becravioli
      @becravioli Před 4 lety

      John Donaldson I miss the Rundle street store so much 😭

    • @johndonaldson3619
      @johndonaldson3619 Před 4 lety

      @@becravioli Bec, ahaha - yeah me too..bought some nice fitted tees there!!! Now it's a betty burger store :(

  • @neighborhoodcaptain790
    @neighborhoodcaptain790 Před 4 lety +22

    Where’s everyone watching from? I’m watching from Toronto Canada 🇨🇦

    • @stephen_lee10
      @stephen_lee10 Před 4 lety +4

      Calgary, ab canada. Grrrrrr, we are in a super cold snap at the moment. Stay warm

    • @neighborhoodcaptain790
      @neighborhoodcaptain790 Před 4 lety +2

      @Stephen S.T. Lee from Calgary,AB CANADA yeah it’s really cold her too, my solution is to stay inside😂

    • @desultorilypanacea
      @desultorilypanacea Před 4 lety

      Saskatoon it's in Canada.

    • @isaackid09
      @isaackid09 Před 4 lety +1

      From Malaysia.

    • @davidwittberg683
      @davidwittberg683 Před 4 lety

      Sweden, it's 10C at 18.45.
      Europe is extra mild this winter, no snow yet and only 3 night frost so far.

  • @SuperJ1109
    @SuperJ1109 Před 4 lety +1

    omg i used to looooove going into this shop - everything was so clean cut and basic and everything instore was colour coded. I didnt find the price expensive at all in london

  • @F3ND1MUS
    @F3ND1MUS Před 4 lety +51

    never heard of it.

    • @psyclonus
      @psyclonus Před 4 lety

      IKR

    • @jvlixn
      @jvlixn Před 4 lety +2

      762 Goat viva la raza

    • @jen_nice2059
      @jen_nice2059 Před 4 lety +1

      762 Goat you should’ve asked them to hire you and your friends so they wouldn’t need “illegals” to work there

    • @w3r0ification
      @w3r0ification Před 4 lety

      762 Goat there is no illegal people working there I apply and they ask you for all your documents and they check all of them all my neighbors work there and none of them were illegals maybe they called you el gordo cerdo 🐖

  • @luramirez
    @luramirez Před 4 lety +1

    If you haven't listened to the mini series podcast on Dov Charney I recommend it, it's pretty good. It's on the "Startup" podcast by Gimlet.

  • @craiglittle1988
    @craiglittle1988 Před 3 lety

    Great CZcams Channel!

  • @matt2m
    @matt2m Před 4 lety +7

    5:11 i know he may have had his issues but I really wish more people held this ideal

  • @caramelcoffees
    @caramelcoffees Před 4 lety

    i remember when American Apparel opened in my city in 2011ish it was so exciting because their disco pants were so popular but a soon as that stopped having it's moment they were ghost towns

  • @Reposadopapi
    @Reposadopapi Před 4 lety +10

    Forgot this overpriced store even existed

  • @sweetrios
    @sweetrios Před 4 lety +15

    In 2005, Kniffen founded J. Rogers Kniffen WWE, "a New York-based equity research and financial management firm", so not that WWE.

  • @mpscats360
    @mpscats360 Před 4 lety

    AA was amazing! when I was younger I could never afford anything from there, but the quality seemed amazing! I eventually bought a skit which I had eyed for years and I still wear/have it today. it's great quality and great fabric. As an adult, who can now afford their prices, I'm sad that I can't buy from AA because it is no longer in Australia.
    As an ethical brand it definitely did wonders, and it was certainly one of the many reasons I loved it so much.

  • @EmpressLilith222
    @EmpressLilith222 Před 4 lety +16

    I’m just waiting for “The Rise And Fall of The Mainstream Media”
    Can you publish that one next?

  • @Onyxoko
    @Onyxoko Před 4 lety +1

    Over priced as hell. They can blame rich people for the downfall. Average folks can't afford $60 solid t-shirts.

  • @msniekababy
    @msniekababy Před 4 lety +5

    American apparel is always having a 50% off sale so I would assume they are not doing well ... but I got the jeans i wanted lol

  • @spinpuff00
    @spinpuff00 Před 4 lety +4

    REMEMBER THE DISCO PANTS 😍

  • @jvlixn
    @jvlixn Před 4 lety +15

    I remember always wanting one of those purple hoodies lol

  • @kellyjohnson4186
    @kellyjohnson4186 Před 4 lety +3

    * 5 Seconds of Summer has entered the chat *

  • @sentientdumpstersludge
    @sentientdumpstersludge Před 4 lety +1

    I LOVED American Apparel! All of my clothes as a teen were American apparel! I still have the thigh high tube socks I bought in 2009!

  • @jessiiet7757
    @jessiiet7757 Před 2 lety +1

    I see the easy jeans on amazon? has anyone bought those before, and are they the same quality?

  • @alittlemakeupalittlepaint

    Never been in one and I live in New York. Did see the weird ads everywhere

  • @leacody782
    @leacody782 Před 4 lety

    what's up w/ the background music and changing volume levels in this video? so distracting throughout the entire thing I can barely focus on the content

  • @jvlixn
    @jvlixn Před 4 lety +21

    Didn’t the owner open another brand

    • @lousunny5682
      @lousunny5682 Před 4 lety +4

      Julian Aguilar yes he did!!

    • @AprilHarmony9
      @AprilHarmony9 Před 4 lety +5

      Yes but they won't mention that b/c it doesn't fit their narrative.

  • @Shadowbannddiscourse
    @Shadowbannddiscourse Před rokem

    What made me look up this video is I keep seeing Los Angeles apparel and I'm wondering if that's another company that has something to do with American apparel or maybe that guy that originally owned it started that I don't know

  • @KinGizzard
    @KinGizzard Před 4 lety +12

    We need a video of the rise and fall of Pigeon Inc.
    I mean, that Pigeon was booking it to bankruptcy court... 12:30