Think Twice Before Buying From American Apparel

UPDATE: Prompted by Swelle reader Tpap's question about whether these cases are ever resolved, I looked into the lawsuits filed in 2005 by former employees and found an impressively fair and comprehensive investigation by Knowmore.org. You can read it at here.

In the end, these four suits were 'dismissed with prejudice' which seems to vindicate Charney. However, it is claimed that the parties reached a confidential settlement where this verdict was agreed upon by both parties.

The latest suit is still in litigation.

If you read the details of the investigation it eventually becomes clear that Charney is what he appears to be, and he knows it. On the record, he shamelessly admits to - or more accurately, boasts about - creating a sexually charged workplace as a sort of personal playground (and among other shocking statements casually claims that 'women invite domestic violence into their lives'), which in my mind is enough to render the lawsuits redundant and irrevelent, in terms of forming a personal opinion. Which is all we really need to know in the end, isn't it?

By the way, the creepy guy in the ads is Charney himself (To your eyeballs: I SINCERELY apologise. As for me, I must now rinse my mouth with baking soda - UCH!):

 

Original post: The Guardian has featured an article detailing the perverse antics of Dov Charney, the Montreal-born founder and CEO of Los Angeles clothing retailer American Apparel. Claims of his wildly inappropriate behaviour toward both female and male employees are being heard in sexual harrassment suits (brought by females only so far). He is also known to conduct meetings while wearing a thong, something he defends by saying he designs underwear, so why not? (And there I thought boredom was the worst thing about work meetings. Imagine?!)

While his antics and repulsive behaviour toward his employees (too lewd to mention here) don't call into question the supposed ethical production of the clothes, they do certainly turn me off, especially when I consider the typical perviness of the company's ads (many shot by Charney himself).

I've never been an American Apparel customer and I certainly won't be. One might say, 'Well, how do I know that every other person behind the clothes I buy isn't the same? Do I really need to worry about the character of the people who sell me clothes?' That's entirely up to you, but the way I see it is if you're aware, and it doesn't sit right, there are plenty of other places to spend your money. Besides, do we really need to support these creeps and give them any more power than what they already have?

You can read the article here. (It's a fairly quick read.)

First photo is Will Farrell in the SNL skit 'Pride of America'

Comments

[Tammy]

I totally agree with you! I refuse to shop there. The ads make me feel sick and like I've just done something disgusting and illegal.
Does anyone out there NOT feel this way?

[Tpap]

Me.

Does anyone know whether these lawsuits are ever actually resolved? I only hear about them being filed. Seems suspicious to me.

That Will Ferrell clip is awesome though.

[Denise @ The Swelle Life]

I looked into the lawsuits filed in 2005 by former employees and found an impressively fair and comprehensive investigation by Knowmore.org which is at http://www.knowmore.org/wiki/index.php?title=American_Apparel,_LLC

In the end, these suits were 'dismissed with prejudice' which seems to vindicate Charney. However, it is claimed that the parties reached a confidential settlement where this verdict was agreed upon by both parties.

The latest suit is still in litigation.

If you read the details of the investigation it eventually becomes clear that Charney is what he appears to be, and he knows it. On the record, he shamelessly admits to, or more accurately boasts about, creating a sexually charged workplace as a sort of personal playground, which in my mind is enough to render the lawsuits redundant and irrevelent, in terms of forming a personal opinion. Which is all you really need to know in the end, isn't it?