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meagan · November 2nd, 2007

we're going with American Apparel for a variety of reasons at this point.

One of which is indeed the sweatshop free vantage point.
From my research into companies like Anvil (which was my first choice) and Hanes I figured that American Apparel was the least offensive but most cost effective.

Mind you, I am not defending them, just trying to make the best decision.
I am curious if they have worked to clean up their image and right the wrongs.
I have not been able to find any information on the net that is not more than 4-6 months old.

I have been looking into other USA made t shirts but for the style we're looking for and the prices we need to start up with, AA seems to be the best bet. If someone has other suggestions for the time being, I would be greatly interested in reading them.

Thanks!

meagan

hiGH · November 2nd, 2007

I talked to this lady (about 3 months ago) that worked for them for a few days and then quit because of how slave-like the job really was. i cant remember the exact words and examples she used but it was pretty bad. i have no experience with the company or product. hope this helps.

mothertongues · November 2nd, 2007

In my opinion, AA's "image" has a lot to do with Dov Charney, and he is not going to change so easily! But this is obviously very subjective... What do you mean by their image? If it is the sexually suggestive ads, I don't think that will change, since unfortunately it sells.

T-BOT · November 2nd, 2007

"aa" is not a brand, it's a phenominum.

enough of the sweatshop free stuff (old news, yeah-yeah its a great thing we know), it's 10 years old already people. How much longer can we squeeze the juice outta this one?

I tell you, it seams everywhere i hear it and have for a while "sweatshop free", bla-bla-bla.

Please people, whatever you do, do NOT make Irish music top of the charts, I like it very much but i do not want to get sick of it due to massive air-play-over-kill by clone bands, know what i mean?

can some one please come up with a new marketing concept? please.

...time for something fresh, like "SweatShop Free" was, by the one and only Mr. Dov.

hiGH · November 2nd, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImageIt


	Labor jobs, even under the best of conditions are no fun. Near me in georgia, you can replace sweat shop with chicken processing plants where a large percent of new employees wash out in the first day. These plants have gotten in trouble in the past for the use of illegal aliens, but the truth probably is that illegals are the only ones willing to do the job. Slave like conditions are often an unfortunate necessity. Jobs like these typically suck so bad, that it is natural for people to wish to escape it, if even for a minute. When units are produced every minute, any minute not working is a loss of production. Once one exception is allowed, everyone demands one exception. The only good part of these jobs is the availability to work overtime. For anyone willing, 80 hour weeks can be possible. These jobs may suck, but the alternatives are to send the job elsewhere to people who are glad to do it or make a machine which can eliminate people altogether. I'd rather see a sweatshop, than machine created unemployment. American Apparel is at least trying to go American. fred

I agree with you 100%. That was her opinion and I felt this was the perfect thread to share it.

Solmu · November 3rd, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by meagan


	I am curious if they have worked to clean up their image and right the wrongs.

Not exactly. I think they've mostly just gone quiet. Which is still new (and potentially a positive start) for them. The only way aa will get cleaned up is if someone can put Charney on a leash. Previously that wasn't possible, now that they've been bought out we'll see - maybe there'll be some improvements.

I think what we're seeing is aa having decided they've milked all they can out of getting sued, being in the paper, general controversy, etc. and now it's time to stop putting the story out there for everyone to report on. They're a household name now (mission accomplished) so they don't need the negative publicity.

In terms of quality control problems, I haven't really heard anything new on that lately (positive or negative) either. I think part of the problem is that for better or worse a lot of people have said what they wanna say about American Apparel, so there's less and less reason to talk about them (at all).

The last fresh information I can remember is the buy out, and that's fast approaching a year ago.

Solmu · November 3rd, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-BOT


	enough of the sweatshop free stuff (old news, yeah-yeah its a great thing we know), it's 10 years old already people. How much longer can we squeeze the juice outta this one?

It'll get mileage until it becomes normal. There are so few companies running on the same platform. AA themselves have emphasised it less and less over the years, but the customers keep advertising for them. We should be so lucky

Solmu · November 3rd, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImageIt


	Based on this generations love to repeat earlier times.

That's not specific to any one generation, definitely something every generation has done.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImageIt


	I'd expect tie dye to make a comeback.

Yeah, I've been wondering about that. I actually sound it out with people, and the reaction is always extremely negative (most people seem to hate tie dye), but you do see it edging its way in with blank suppliers, and it would kind of make sense.

To bring this full circle and back to the topic, for me the moment I see aa sell tie dye is the moment I'll know it's made it back; they're actually pretty good about having their finger on that kind of pulse.