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.
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.
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.
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.
@@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.
@@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!
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.
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.
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.
@@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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
@@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
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.
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~~🤪
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.
@@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.
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
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.
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?
@@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
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
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...
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.
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.
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💖
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😌
Alfredo Alcantar I don’t get why that’s funny. If a shirt costs $5, I can only imagine what the person who sewed it together earned for an hour of their labor. Granted, I know we all have items in out closets that were manufactured by those who are victims of sweat shop labor but you try to do what you can to not support brands that abuse labor laws.
Exactly. People bought into the brand image and apparently still do evident by them chanting the same talking points. Made in America or not, the quality was poor for the price. Grew up seeing all my classmates wear their stuff. There was little to no quality control for example sizing was widely inconsistent, shrunk in the drier, color fading after a few wears, etc. I’m all for higher wages and better work conditions, but don’t sell me overpriced crap under the guise of patriotism and faux ethics.
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.
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 🐖
American Apparel Is the most basic looking boring ass clothes ever. It literally just looks like you went to the local store/walmart and got some cheap clothing
As someone who lives outside of US, I do feel ripped off when I buy American brand but the label shows that it was made in a 3rd world country. If the label say Made in US, I do feel I'm buying a quality product. In general, that is mostly true in terms of worksmanship. Hope the American economy will reform to encourage more businesses to return to the US and create jobs for its own ppl. This should be encourage in every country, not just US.
I have no idea. Just needed an undershirt and seen it. I just remembered the label having American Apparel on it. Sometimes the Dollar Tree can surprise you; they had some Children's Place shirts and onesies over the summer.
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.
Eccentric, divisive, and unapologetic founder prevails through faith in himself to deliver something better than cheap crap in the marketplace. Delivering simplicity and superiority will always stand victorious. This is the Steve Jobs story all over again.
Worked here for 3 years and while I agree all the managers were creepy older men, they paid me enough to afford University and often gave staff a lot of free clothing and great discounts for our friends and families. The best retail job I ever had tbh, and Dov was always very nice to everyone.
Assumed it was about the company, even though I have never seen just one of their stores. The name alone is enough for any European to run away from it. The name basically means “outdated fashion”
When they starting shutting down the AA stores, and put everything on sale(75% off, etc), I bought so much stuff from there for the first time. The quality is still so nice and they're timeless pieces, I wish I had gotten more.
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.
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Rise: kids buying with parents money
Fall: young adults not wanting to spend their own money on overpriced basic clothes.
Same with forever 21
Period
EXACTLY!
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.
@@lolagreydottir6429 Forever 21 makes clothes that are much cheaper and less basic than American Apparel. I wouldn't quite compare the two.
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
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
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.
you guys know aa has an online store right
They rebranded I think and Los Angeles apparel is basically AA now. You should check them out, I love their scatterbox deal.
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.
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.
Ummm. Most clothes last years if you take care of them lol.
@@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.
@@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!
Exactly they were simple but high quality I have a hooddie for 12 years now and is like new
Nah it’s not totally made in the USA, it’s assembled in the USA
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.
Jane Robert it is! Sadly still horrific sizing though
Jane Robert try out American Giant.
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. :(
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. :(
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?
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
Preach. I still have their bras and bodysuits!
Yes! And their two piece matching sets
Check out “Los Angeles apparel” started by the same guy and has very similar style + ethos
No pants ever fit me as well as AA! It was so flattering.
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 😩
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.
100%
15 year old me thought my booty was poppin in the disco pants
Fiona Wong your booty probably was. My toosh was. I loved those disco pants!
Those pants made people look snatched 👌🏻
I still wear mine!!
Their disco pants were EVERYTHING!
Fiona Wong I still have a pair of disco pants. I love them so much!
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.
I agree if it’s not made in the us it’s not really American Appreal
EXACTLY "NOT American Apparel"
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.
@@hamsterama but they say they pay their illegal worker good wage
Charney's new company is Los Angeles Apparel, they are 100% made in the U.S.A.
The only thing I loved about AA was their tennis skirt wich I never could aford
grab them on ebay depop fraction of the price now
depop
Omg hahaha! I dreamt of having that skirt!
it’s so 2014 tumblr
Can American Apparel make a comeback? *No, it’s too expensive for cheap clothing*
I thought the quality was good
That’s what happens when wages are stagnant while rent prices go up. People can’t afford expensive clothing anymore.
@@angelgjr1999 why would they want expensive clothing when you can buy cheap ones with similar quality
Jamaican Me Crazy What price range would you consider cheap?
@@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.
It’s Los Angeles apparel now.
Hhahah lmao
Is it? Cause i was wondering if the company was related to it
Desiree Mcneil yes! Check out the instagram. Dov is the ceo.
@@Pumpkinmarie21 yea and there are manufacturing masks to combat the whole coronavirus ordeal
They forgot to say all the sexual assault lawsuits that American Apparel settled also contributed to ruining the company financially.
They said it
They did. It's in the video
What video did you watched?
That was literally one of the main points in the video lol
You missed the fact that Doug started a new, nearly identical brand called “los Angeles apparel” in 2016
Is it still made in the U.S.?
I freakin knew it. Love you for this comment 😈😈😈
Oh, that's where Ashley aka bestdresseds tan skater skirt is from!
Ooooh I literally thought that WAS American apparel now
@@kittyvu5045 ❤️ Ashley
so this is the guy who started making t shirts smaller. wtf.
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.
stebopign I’m 6 Foot 5 inches tall, I love fitted clothes. Makes me look fit
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
SoftwareDev 101 Visited paris a couple days ago, all the young people are rocking looser wide-fit cropped jeans
@@spaceinbetween6591 Loose is best lmao
The Founder of AA made a new company called Los Angeles Apparel. It’s very similar to AA
Ugh
Yea I don't know how they missed that.
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.
@@RedAndTheCompany567really? What would be their interest in making retail look bad?
J socialism....
Being committed to all-American production and "Made in USA" is not easy way to do. The government didn't give support at all...
This video fails to mention anything about Dov Charney starting Los Angeles Apparel after leaving American Apparel.
I love this Rise and Fall series. It's so relevant because so many traditional businesses are failing!
Yeah, That’s what I’m watching. See Abandoned by Bright Sun Films, lt’s like this but more in depth.
the business insider one is really good too. i like it a lil better actually
It’s such a shame how a company goes down like this.
its coming back up, its now los angeles apparel
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.
I miss American Apparel. Their clothes were such good quality and were so soft.
They don't miss you
They weren't good quality imo... but the clothes were soft and very fashion forward though.... I loved them but they were definitely overpriced.
OFF HYPE overpriced for you dear
@@terrytaylor5192 😐
@@terrytaylor5192 A person can afford something and still think it's overpriced. You can have money but not want to get ripped off.
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.
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.
bless this comment 🙏💖
did u order their easy jeans? really want those again. I see them on Amazon
American Apparel was my life back in high school.
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.
reminds me of brandy and those minimalist type looks that are popular now, they were ahead of their time that is for sure
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.
Same!!
Lol “American” apparel owned by a Canadian company and not even made is the US..
Nathan Winslow Canada is still in North America. But idk
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.
@@Qeengish No. That's incorrect. Look up the definition of "American". 1. A native or citizen of the United States.
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
They branded themselves as a “Made in the USA” company, NOT Canada. Dumb inbreds
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.
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.
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
Elizabeth Nicole maybe because u never worked out 🤐 lmao
lose weight
Lol I’m not obese guys chill 😂😂
@@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
@@laurencydni these people are brutal.
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.
Wasserfeld their Nottingham store has been empty since they’ve left like 4 years ago lol, overpriced sht
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~~🤪
@@personificafions I'm still surprised they still have the signage up lool
Well with Brexit brits don’t have any money for anything anyway. Stick with Tesco and M&S high fashion
USA is better than Europe
i spent like 90 bucks in highschool for a basic beige sweater lolll
I spent like $ 50.00 on their basic zip up sweatshirt that everyone was wearing back in 2009 or so Lol.
@tommy aronson lap dances never go out of fashion :D
I spent $60 on a genuine leather cap and it was well worth it.
Michael Manwell 50 bucks is a normal price for a sweater
that's not a bad price
Back in 2009 I walked into their store took a look at the price of their t shirt €50, never entered one again.
Oh, you'd prefer to wear clothes made by slaves then?
Joseph Svennson Nice straw man Joe! 👍
@@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
Joseph Svennson or just go to the goodwill or Salvation Army. Tf
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.
Flaubert did he quit after working months without pay? Real question
@@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.
Cool story.
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
@@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.
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
lol what, a black or white t shirt is always in style, its clothing not an iphone, does not need updates every year
Orrrrrr! Or! The stuff is timeless?? Im not sure. I think thats it, though
It seems any company which ousts their founder (whether justified or not) are doomed to fail
Truth
what about papa john’s
Apple
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.
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?
😂
Uniqlo is where it's at. Mostly because I can't find proper fitting clothes for my frame 😅
Willy Wong Uniqlo is trash, if you’re tall and have any shape. Their shirts are so boxy and short.
@@1rockcrawford Uniqlo is trash no matter what shape you have. It's so over hyped yet equally disappointing.
Willy Wong Uniqlo is fast fashion and unethical :(
@@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
Uniqlo is cool if you like your jeans to look like sweatpants after wearing them for under 2 hours
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.
Creepy, Terry Richardson ads
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
form fallows function
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
Right! Looks like how Kanye dresses his kids.
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.
I love how you can tell who stays bitter about the fact their moms bought them forever 21 instead of AA 😂
James Right! 😂😂😂
No, the downfall is when they stopped making them in USA!
No point on buying clothes from american apparel if the business isn't an American business made in America.
technically it still is made in america
Having clothes, maybe?
I meant from american apparel.
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.
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.
Soo true
But isn't Uniqlo made in sweatshops?
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
You do what happened to BEBE because I used work for them
lol i remember my mom bought these plain pants and shirts and took iron ons and ironed on Bebe on her clothes
I have some great jackets from there. Plus I get compliments when I wear them.
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
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.
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.
So shouldn’t it be called Canadian apparel?
Aware of 'Lauren Phoenix'? She's from Canada too 😜
looney apparel?
Lol, it would sell less. Especially in the us
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.
Canada is part of America
I use to love American apparel in High School they were so bomb
if you would like the quality American Apparel used to have, Dov Charney created Los Angeles apparel which is American Apparel 2.0
I only know about American Apparel because of the American Apparel Ad Girls: Willam, Alaska, and Courtney 😂
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!
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...
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.
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.
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.
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💖
I highly doubt a comeback.
Forgot this overpriced store even existed
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😌
I loved AA in high school! Still love tbh. All the stuff I bought was well made and lasted me YEARS.
I’m just waiting for “The Rise And Fall of The Mainstream Media”
Can you publish that one next?
It's just clothing. Why would anyone pay $75 for a T-shirt when they can buy one for $5 at Walmart or Amazon?
Their stuff didn't use sweat shop labour.
LangBellsChannel 😂 really
Alfredo Alcantar I don’t get why that’s funny. If a shirt costs $5, I can only imagine what the person who sewed it together earned for an hour of their labor. Granted, I know we all have items in out closets that were manufactured by those who are victims of sweat shop labor but you try to do what you can to not support brands that abuse labor laws.
Mirza Ahmed their shirts are not that expensive they range from 20-50
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.
Boring, basic, overpriced, sizing was all over the place and the staff at the stores here were aloof and unhelpful. Not worth the $.
It was a higher price because they paid employees who made the clothing a higher wage compared to sweatshops in China.
Exactly. People bought into the brand image and apparently still do evident by them chanting the same talking points. Made in America or not, the quality was poor for the price. Grew up seeing all my classmates wear their stuff. There was little to no quality control for example sizing was widely inconsistent, shrunk in the drier, color fading after a few wears, etc. I’m all for higher wages and better work conditions, but don’t sell me overpriced crap under the guise of patriotism and faux ethics.
In 2005, Kniffen founded J. Rogers Kniffen WWE, "a New York-based equity research and financial management firm", so not that WWE.
5:11 i know he may have had his issues but I really wish more people held this ideal
I think the highlight is the background music
jian chen Sounds like a cat walk background music.
I wanted those goddamn disco pants so bad 😩
Didn’t the owner open another brand
Julian Aguilar yes he did!!
Yes but they won't mention that b/c it doesn't fit their narrative.
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.
Nope, its like American Eagle, Hollister, and Aeropostle, too pricey, not the exact size, and outdated in fashion trends.
American Eagle jeans fit pretty good tho. The flex jeans last a really long time. Well worth the price imo.
"The rise and fall of..."
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.
Over priced as hell. They can blame rich people for the downfall. Average folks can't afford $60 solid t-shirts.
never heard of it.
IKR
762 Goat viva la raza
762 Goat you should’ve asked them to hire you and your friends so they wouldn’t need “illegals” to work there
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 🐖
I believe that the 'sexual' and 'racial slurs' were trumped up.
Where’s everyone watching from? I’m watching from Toronto Canada 🇨🇦
Calgary, ab canada. Grrrrrr, we are in a super cold snap at the moment. Stay warm
@Stephen S.T. Lee from Calgary,AB CANADA yeah it’s really cold her too, my solution is to stay inside😂
Saskatoon it's in Canada.
From Malaysia.
Sweden, it's 10C at 18.45.
Europe is extra mild this winter, no snow yet and only 3 night frost so far.
I've been waiting for a story on American Apparel from CNBC... Love CNBC TH-cam Channel.
There was never anything that fit me at American Apparel. I wasn't even overweight, just tall and broad shoulders.
Great background soundtrack and editing 👌🏾
American Apparel Is the most basic looking boring ass clothes ever. It literally just looks like you went to the local store/walmart and got some cheap clothing
Still loving it. I grew up with this brand. The hoodies, the windbreakers, the shirts and of course the famous gym bag.
As someone who lives outside of US, I do feel ripped off when I buy American brand but the label shows that it was made in a 3rd world country. If the label say Made in US, I do feel I'm buying a quality product. In general, that is mostly true in terms of worksmanship. Hope the American economy will reform to encourage more businesses to return to the US and create jobs for its own ppl. This should be encourage in every country, not just US.
They need to change their brand name from "American Apparel (AA)" to "Central American Apparel (CAA)."
I bought some American Apparel at the Dollar Tree (tank top, midriff vests). I don't know how that happened, I didn't know this was a real brand.
U sure it was the dollar tree lmao. And plane white tee cant be a dollar there
There are tons of knock offs.
I have no idea. Just needed an undershirt and seen it. I just remembered the label having American Apparel on it. Sometimes the Dollar Tree can surprise you; they had some Children's Place shirts and onesies over the summer.
Closeouts from the liquidation most likely .
so... Canadian Apparel?
We need a video of the rise and fall of Pigeon Inc.
I mean, that Pigeon was booking it to bankruptcy court... 12:30
lololol
Pigeons are notorious for being financially irresponsible.
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
God I wish all companies had the sustainability and ethical mindset
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.
Eccentric, divisive, and unapologetic founder prevails through faith in himself to deliver something better than cheap crap in the marketplace. Delivering simplicity and superiority will always stand victorious. This is the Steve Jobs story all over again.
Worked here for 3 years and while I agree all the managers were creepy older men, they paid me enough to afford University and often gave staff a lot of free clothing and great discounts for our friends and families. The best retail job I ever had tbh, and Dov was always very nice to everyone.
* 5 Seconds of Summer has entered the chat *
Hey Non-Americans/Westerners, am I the only one who initially thought this video was about the US clothing industry?
No I thought it was just American clothing in general. Then reminded that American Apparel was an actual brand at some point.
I don't know the brand well but heard of it. So I assumed it was about that.
Assumed it was about the company, even though I have never seen just one of their stores. The name alone is enough for any European to run away from it. The name basically means “outdated fashion”
When they starting shutting down the AA stores, and put everything on sale(75% off, etc), I bought so much stuff from there for the first time. The quality is still so nice and they're timeless pieces, I wish I had gotten more.
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.