The Big Flop Unzipping American Apparel with Sasheer Zamata and Jared Goldstein | 86
May 5, 2025
Sasheer Zamata, a comedian and co-host of the podcast Best Friends, and Jared Goldstein, an actor and host of Sorry What?, delve into the sordid tales of American Apparel. They explore the rise and fall of its founder, Dov Charney, whose provocative marketing led to scandal and bankruptcy. The discussion touches on the brand's ethical image vs. the toxic workplace culture, as well as the cultural implications of Charney's controversial decisions. It's a humorous yet critical look at the chaos that rocked the fashion industry.
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Charney's Early T-Shirt Hustle
- Dove Charney started selling American-made t-shirts during his boarding school years by smuggling shirts into Canada.
- At just 16, he and a friend made a small fortune selling printed shirts at concerts.
Ethics meets edgy marketing
- Charney aimed to produce ethically-made apparel with fair wages in a declining US textile industry.
- His combination of ethical manufacturing and provocative marketing created high demand.
Toxic Workplace Unveiled
- Charney was accused of sexual harassment and created a toxic workplace by reportedly engaging with young models.
- His management style involved long hours, verbal abuse, and workplace intimidation masked as 'partying'.