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The litany of complaints about American Apparel's advertising and hiring policies are so long, someone could write a book about them.
The company is known for chic, trendy, affordable locally made clothes yes...but they're also known for being sexist, judgmental, and discriminatory based on the aesthetic attractions of its owner, Dov Charney (who, by his own standards of appearance, probably wouldn't be welcome to work in his own store).
If you want to work at American Apparel you've got to meet the criteria. You've got to have the right look. You've got to have a strong fashion sense. And if you're black, you need to have the right style of hair. Several ex-employees recently wrote into Gawker about their experiences, and one former manager said she was told this about what types of black women to hire during the American Apparel's open casting calls:
"none of the trashy kind that come in, we don't want that. we're not trying to sell our clothes to them. try to find some of these classy black girls, with nice hair, you know?"
i will remember that forever, especially the "nice hair" part. he was instructing another manager and i on who to look for during an upcoming open call, and i sat there dumbfounded, listening to him speak while the other manager made "uh huh, got it" sounds on her end of the phone. the other manager on the call with me later became a district manager, and at one point instructed me to tell two of my employees (both of whom happened to be black females) to stop straightening their hair. i refused to do this, but wondered if the mentality behind her request was related to what dov had said."
Wait, what?
A company discriminating in favor of black natural hair? Is "nice hair" the new "good hair"?? What does that even MEAN?
I'm not sure what to make of this news from American Apparel, so I'm just gonna keep doing what I do - which means not shopping at American Apparel. Which I couldn't do anyway, because they don't do plus size clothes, either. Ugh!
For lots more, check Gawker - they've been on this story ever since the company was founded, it seems!
What are your thoughts on this latest American Apparel scandal?
Comments: (26)
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By: Shannon on 6/11/2010 4:43PM
My thoughts? Same old, same old. Abercrombie had the same policies until exposed. See "Why I hate Abercrombie and Fitch" by Dwight McBride.
And I second le sigh. I suppose that's "les sighs..."
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By: elivebuy653 on 6/29/2010 11:24PM
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By: Robin on 6/11/2010 12:51PM
I'm not sure what to think about this. I'm guessing they're looking for the trendy skinny biracial-looking curly haired gals. Just an assumption...
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By: dvine on 6/11/2010 1:28PM
i think so 2.. i don't see what the problem is? as long as the hair is well groomed then y tell ppl how to wear it.. n y is it always against black ppl... let us b DAMN..
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By: huohuohuoa on 6/22/2010 11:28PM
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By: zenzele on 6/11/2010 3:18PM
We have serious buying power. If we spent our money in places that respect us, and our images, we wouldn't have these problems. We really need to start demanding respect, instead of spending money anywhere and everywhere; had we already done so, we wouldn't see anymore reports like this one.
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By: K Diva on 6/12/2010 7:20AM
You are so right. I bought one thing from there but never again.
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By: WithoutaCountry on 6/12/2010 6:52AM
So its now trashy to have a perm!! ROTFL..This is the best i have heard..Not that i would shop in amerikkkn apparel they do not fit my African style of dressing....So moving right along.
The saddest thing about this entire issue, is that it had to take a EUROPEAN OWNER to inform African desc about thier hair..and to puleeeeze stop trying to be white?/ basically sistahs that is what he is saying..Dont u get it?
LISTEN UP ALL OF U WIG WEARING WEAVE WEARING WANNA BE WHITE..African sistahs with naturally kinky and beautifully nappy hair..Get a life and find yourself..Your man has left or is leaving because wants no part of a wo,man who is fake and does not know who she is..Or maybe he does want someone with ther so called straight /good hair they are not buying AFROS! ..Dayum it took the colonizers son..
Now before you email me and tell me how mean i am..at least i have my own hair, beautiful kinky shoulderlength locs?
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By: Charlene Harris on 6/12/2010 9:39AM
I don't think you are mean. I would like to say that all people do something to their hair in an effort to maximize their appearance. I have seen white people with dred-locks. This is a choice of style. We have to respect others rights to how they choose to present themselves to the world. If we want to be so natural, why use deodorant or soap? Are we ashamed of the natural odor of our bodies. Every culture does not use these products. Why brush our teeth or use mouthwash. It all is a part of how we present ourselves. If you want to be proud of being natural, then go all the way. When you wake up in the morning, go out without any grooming at all and proclaim how proud you are being natural. Let's give each other a break. Respectfully Charlene L. M. Harris
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By: Drou on 6/12/2010 3:01PM
I COMPLETELY agree with miss Charlene. I have my natural hair, but i also like variety . I like changing my look when I feel like it, because i can. I still wear braids from time to time and wigs. Does that make me fake? some may say yes. haha. but I know I am not nor am i 'lost'. I live in a country where i can do pretty much what i want to do with MY body and MY hair. like she said. Stop wearing deodorant, perfume or body spray, stop using soap, and dont wash your clothes with detergent, dont wear makeup, or chapstick or even lipgloss, and because you are soooo na tu ral, you dont even eat sodas, candy, chew gum, burgers, fries...you get were im going? lol. until a person is straight up living off land like the caveman days, no one has any rights to talking about being natural and down playing others choices for how they choose to do their earth suit.
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