Ive always been skeptical of United states Apparel, the L.A.-based chain that sells plain-clothes which claim to be sweatshop free, advertised to hipsters through frequently creepy, sexed-up photographs of supposed real individuals, sold in shops which claim becoming community galleries.
Before opening actual shops, AA offered empty T-shirts in volume to groups whom, concerned about offering merch made in sweatshops, could print their particular logo/image/photos to them to sell at programs. When stores proper started starting, an issue had been made about the companys political mandate: cool (overpriced) clothes with a conscious. But rapidly became evident that the politics of AAs notorious, obnoxious owner, Dov Charney, were disingenuous.
While its correct that AAs garments tend to be manufactured in downtown L.A., in which staff members earn about $12 an hour or so on average (instead of all of the U.S.s clothing, that will be stated in nations in which labour could be exploited for reduced wages), AA is dangerous to employees arranging for job security and against the rate of work and layoffs. When workers attempted to develop a union, the company unleashed an intimidation promotion that mirrored the hostile union-busting techniques of various other significant manufacturers (it isn't really astonishing due to the fact Charney got their first real task when he crossed a picket range working during a postal workers attack.)
After which you will find Charneys sexist antics, which were extensively reported. This includes the companys unique hiring methods with its stores, Charney masturbating before a reporter interviewing him for Jane magazine, and three intimate harassment suits submitted against him by former female workers.
miri