American Apparel Dress code

within brief off-the-record meeting with Dov Charney (center), he recommended we dress up like Kiss and try obtaining tasks, then report back how far we got.

Us Apparel CEO Dov Charney's personal phone number ended up being (like distributing full-body pictures of possible brand new staff members to corporate). In a nutshell, American Apparel has been accused — mainly via a series of leaks on Gawker — of utilizing a "head-to-toe" testing procedure to weed completely "off-brand" people. Once employed, staff members must follow the rules, including a ban on eyeliner, attention shadow, blush, glitter, liquid foundation, shiny lip gloss, overplucked eyebrows, dyed hair, greasy tresses, bangs, gauges, Uggs, Vans, Chucks, moccasins, dirty Keds ... the list continues on. Furthermore, some employees have accused AA of telling them to lose excess weight, and posting pictures of the dress-code infractions on the organization's intranet for purposes of mocking.

We rang Charney up, definitely, and had a pleasing adequate talk, but he refused to take the record since he'd been awoken during sex at 7 a.m. L.A. time. He did state, but that their company's dress-code policy had been a non-story, that each shop has actually a gown code, and therefore Gawker only loves to reveal United states Apparel — in place of, state, White House black-market — because its visitors actually shop indeed there. He further emphasized that employing shop clerks is not about beauty but about individual style. Then he recommended we liven up like Kiss and attempt trying to get retail tasks and view how far we be in the hiring procedure.

Tempting as that has been, we organized alternatively to call Charney back that evening and chat regarding the record. We labeled as over repeatedly — and texted — but never ever connected. Bloggers over at the Gloss had much better luck, and nailed down Charney for a fairly comprehensive meeting. He told all of them your e-mail Gawker published presumably detailing American Apparel's brushing recommendations was in fact modified, and essentially reiterated exactly what he told united states relating to this becoming a non-story:

I do believe you will find dress codes at each resort, I do believe there are gown rules at McDonald’s. I believe it is a fake story, okay? I do believe there’s a dress code at Home Depot. I think it is a fake tale to say that United states Apparel features a dress signal that’s not the same as all stores. We don’t believe you may also operate in the concierge work desk during the typical mall if you don’t follow a dress code.

To discover if United states Apparel's dress signal is truly that egregious, we surveyed over two dozen New Yorkers currently involved in, and/or recently used by, the area retail industry, from big-honkin' chains to cool indies. (Comprehensive disclosure: in many cases, we identified ourselves as reporters and talked with shop supervisors; in other people, in which workers had been cagier about talking to the hit, we went undercover as serious job-seekers, interested in the wardrobe/style demands of prospective work.) The results had been enlightening, to put it mildly.

Abercrombie & Fitch
What could a shop that sticks half-naked beefcakes at its entry perhaps say about dress codes? Lots, apparently. While the business doesn't take pictures during the meeting procedure, Individual and group shots tend to be snapped every half a year; the pictures tend to be then delivered to business "just for records." Employees must use in-season clothing (they receive a graduated discount), keep makeup to the absolute minimum, and then leave the precious jewelry yourself (wedding rings are ok). Piercings are a deal-breaker, except in ears (and also then, only one piercing per lobe), and hoops tend to be verboten. Some hires get the full outfit to start, including a high, bottom, and flip-flops (or in the existing instance of this Fifth Avenue leading, tanks and jeggings). The purpose, noted one worker, is show "as little glamour possible."

US Eagle Outfitters
AE-branded clothes tend to be preferred however needed. "we wear Banana Republic constantly and acquire away with it, " one staff member boasted, then again included that he can not advertise any logos for competing companies. Tattoos and piercings are tolerated, together with organization does not photograph its staff members or job applicants.

Anthropologie
Two various employees only at that boho-trendy sequence, had by Urban Outfitters Inc., admitted that shop's hiring practices had been intense. Interviews had been conducted in groups, and concerns included "Are you well-traveled?" and "What kind of music do you like?" Some interviewees thought therefore pressured to prove their imagination, they introduced art portfolios and demo CDs to the meeting sessions. As soon as hired, pressure ended up being on to look "well-groomed, " wear minimal makeup products, and purchase and put on clothing sold by the store. Tattoos, piercings, and dark-wash denim are cool, but there's a ban on short short pants, logos, and light-colored denim. "the fundamental rule is you dress to our aesthetic, " one employee stated. "You're nonetheless permitted to show yourself [though]. We don't want a bunch of Anthropologie women caught in the same clothes." Photos should never be taken through the hiring process, but the shop's "personal shoppers" sometimes test clothing and accessories, and then have actually their particular images taken. These photos are employed as "inspiration" for various other employees, but never ever leave the stores and therefore aren't submitted for business review.