,
LLC is a
Clothing company based out of
Los Angeles, California . It has over 155 stores in 11
Countries . Its claim to fame is
Sweatshop -free clothing made in
Downtown Los Angeles , where it pays its employees an average of
US$ 13 per hour. Employees also receive benefits such as paid time off,
Healthcare , company-subsidized
Lunches ,
Bus passes, free
ESL classes, on-site
Masseurs , free
Bicycles and on-site bike mechanics, free parking, proper
Lighting and
Ventilation , and the most up-to-date
Equipment .
It is currently in the process of large retail growth, opening stores in the , under the symbol EDA.
It was recently ranked 308th in No. 308: American Apparel].
The company also strives toward
Solar Electric System on the roof of its downtown Los Angeles factory. The system is expected to cut the company's electric bill by at least 20%.RenewableEnergyaccess.com (January 27, 2006).[http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=42437 Downtown L.A. Clothing Company Goes Solar]
The source of most criticism for the company is their sexually charged advertising and unconventional corporate culture. American Apparel's performed on him by a female employee and
Masturbated with consent and at home during a two-month interview with ''
Jane '' reporter Claudine Ko.Claudine Ko, "Meet Your New Boss" ''
JANE '' (June-July 2004), 136-141. The company is criticized for its sexually charged advertisements, which feature suggestive photos taken in an amateur-
Pornographic style reminiscent of
Calvin Klein 's ad campaign in the 1990s, and been accused of focusing on personal style and outward appearance in its hiring practices for retail positions, similar to those of
Abercrombie & Fitch .
Also,
Behindthelabel.org , an online magazine funded by
UNITE HERE , reported
Union Busting in the LA-based factory in September 2003. It is reported that the workers wanted to form a union to address issues concerning no paid time off, lack of affordable healthcare, production methods, and poor treatment by supervisors. However, as soon as organizing efforts began, the American Apparel employees countered with an anti-union rally. It is worth noting that on another occasion, the workers staged a walk out when management switched the sewing procedure to one they felt would earn them less. Without a union they were able to use their collective power to negotiate on their own terms. The incident was reported to the
National Labor Relations Board for violations of Federal labor laws, and a no fault settlement was eventually reached with the NLRB. American Apparel now posts in their production facility a document agreeing not to conduct any anti-union activities.
American Apparel's union status has not been reported sinceStephen Wishart. ''Behindthelabel.org'' (January 2005). [http://www.behindthelabel.org/infocus.asp?id=84 The Truth Behind American Apparel: Sweatshop free or Union buster?]., and the company refuses to respond to correspondence or inquiries regarding union status.
Clamor magazine, a Toledo, Ohio-based progressive media, has written a special section for its Fall 2006 issue critical of American Apparel's claimed progressiveness and anti-sweatshop marketing rhetoric, which the magazine claims as false. American Apparel has threatened Clamor magazine with "legal action in light of such gross, blatant, negligent and irresponsible journalism."''
AdBusters '' (August 23, 2006).
Clamor Mag vs. American Apparel . An electronic version of the Clamor Magazine article, in PDF format, is available for download at the AdBusters site. Clamor magazine's website is at
www.clamormagazine.org To date, no lawsuit is forthcoming. Despite the existence of a number of articles critical of American Apparel, the company has yet to take any legal action. Clamor Magazine folded in December 2006.
American Apparel is featured in the 2007
Indie Film Let Them Chirp Awhile written and directed by
Jonathan Blitstein , which stars
Laura Breckenridge ,
Brendan Sexton III , and
Justin Rice . In the film, Charlotte, played by Swedish actress
Charlotte Af Geijerstam , is the quirky American Apparel employee who helps the main character, Bobby, search for his lost dog.
