American History

Brief History, The original founder of American Apparel is Dov Charney, he has remained the majority shareholder and CEO. American Apparel is a vertically integrated manufacturer, distributor and retailer, based in downtown Los Angeles, California. The company shoots and distributes its own advertisements, often using its own employees as subjects. It also owns and operates each of its retail locations as opposed to franchising. According to the management, the vertically integrated model allows the company to design, cut, distribute and sell an item globally in the span of a week. They currently employ roughly 10,000 people globally, and operate more than 260 retail stores in 19 countries. Every aspect ranging from knitting, dyeing, cutting, sewing, photography, marketing, distribution, and design all happen within house at their facilities in Los Angeles. American Apparel operates the largest garment factory in the United States. While continuing to pioneer industry standards of social and environmental responsibility in the workplace, American Apparel’s unequivocal art, design and technology has allowed them to advance the business process.