If you’ve ever browsed basics like heavyweight tees or cropped hoodies and felt a sense of déjà vu—you’re not alone. Los Angeles Apparel looks and feels a lot like American Apparel. That’s no coincidence.
Los Angeles Apparel is not the same company as American Apparel, but it was founded by the same person: Dov Charney. It continues his original vision of American-made basics with a bold edge.
Let’s explore how the two brands are connected, what changed, and what remains the same.
What is American Apparel called now?
American Apparel was once a fashion powerhouse—until it wasn’t. So what happened to the name, and where did it go?
American Apparel still exists, but it’s now owned by Gildan and operates primarily as an online basics brand. Its retail stores and original leadership are long gone.
Who owns American Apparel today?
After filing for bankruptcy twice, American Apparel was sold in 2017 to Gildan Activewear1, a Canadian company best known for low-cost blank t-shirts and mass garment production.
Today, American Apparel is:
- A direct-to-consumer brand2
- Fully online (no retail stores)
- Focused on basic styles and legacy silhouettes
- Not involved in U.S. manufacturing
| Brand Feature | Before 2017 | Now (Post-Gildan) |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Dov Charney | Gildan Activewear |
| Manufacturing | Los Angeles-based | Overseas (mostly) |
| Store presence | 200+ stores globally | Online only |
| Brand voice | Provocative and edgy | Clean and minimalist |
So while the name lives on, the company behind it has completely changed.
Where did the original founder go?
Dov Charney, the founder and former CEO of American Apparel, was removed from the company before its final collapse. In 2017, he launched Los Angeles Apparel3, which many see as a spiritual successor to his original brand.
Why did American Apparel get canceled?
American Apparel’s downfall wasn’t about sales—it was about scandal. Despite its success, the brand’s internal issues overshadowed its product line.
American Apparel was “canceled” due to financial mismanagement, mounting lawsuits, workplace controversies, and the removal of its founder.
What led to the brand’s downfall?
Here are the main issues:
- Leadership scandals4: Dov Charney faced multiple accusations of misconduct, leading to his firing by the board.
- Financial struggles5: Overexpansion, falling margins, and increasing debt crushed cash flow.
- Public backlash6: As the brand became known more for controversy than quality, customers and investors pulled back.
- Two bankruptcies: Filed in 2015 and again in 2016 before being sold.
| Timeline Event | Impact on Brand |
|---|---|
| Sexual harassment claims | Damaged reputation |
| CEO ousting (2014) | Loss of brand leadership |
| First bankruptcy (2015) | Store closures, layoffs |
| Sold to Gildan (2017) | Brand relaunch under new ownership |
The brand couldn’t escape its internal chaos—and that ultimately became its undoing.
Did the controversy hurt product perception?
Yes. Even though the clothes were high-quality, the constant headlines about lawsuits and workplace issues made many customers uncomfortable. Brand trust eroded fast.
Why is American Apparel controversial?
Some brands push boundaries. American Apparel pushed them hard—and not always in the right ways.
American Apparel became controversial due to sexually charged advertising, leadership scandals, and labor disputes that overshadowed its “Made in USA” ethos.
What made its marketing so polarizing?
American Apparel’s ads were known for:
- Provocative poses
- Unretouched models
- Sexual innuendo
- Minimal design and photography
While some praised the brand for breaking the mold, others called it exploitative. Over time, the shock factor lost its edge and drew criticism from media and advocacy groups.
| Controversial Area | Public Reaction |
|---|---|
| Ad campaigns | Seen as oversexualized |
| Leadership behavior | Accusations of workplace misconduct |
| Labor practices | Mixed reviews despite U.S. wages |
The brand tried to walk the line between edgy and ethical—but often stumbled.
What lessons did other brands take from this?
- Authenticity matters—but not at the cost of ethics.
- Being provocative sells—until it turns into bad PR.
- Leadership behavior reflects directly on brand image.
Los Angeles Apparel, though similar in look, has been more cautious with marketing and public image—learning from the past.
Is LA apparel Yeezy?
The connection between Los Angeles Apparel and Kanye West’s Yeezy line has caused confusion. So what’s the real story?
No, Los Angeles Apparel is not the Yeezy brand. However, its factory has been used to produce Yeezy merchandise in the past.
What’s the actual connection between LA Apparel and Yeezy?
In 2020 and 2021, reports surfaced that Kanye West was using LA-based manufacturers—including Los Angeles Apparel—for limited Yeezy production runs.
Why?
- Local production offered faster turnaround
- Kanye supported U.S. manufacturing
- LA Apparel had the scale and flexibility
But this wasn’t a long-term brand partnership. It was a vendor-client relationship7, not a merger or collaboration.
Does LA Apparel still produce for other major labels?
Yes. LA Apparel offers:
- Wholesale blank garments
- Private label manufacturing
- Merch support for influencers, creators, and musicians
This makes it ideal for brand drops, concerts, and limited collections—especially when speed and quality matter.
At Fumao, we’ve seen more brands follow this path: start with blanks, customize, then grow into full collections. LA’s flexible supply chain8 makes it possible.
Conclusion
Los Angeles Apparel and American Apparel share a founder, a vision, and a style—but they’re not the same company. While American Apparel faded under controversy and corporate takeover, LA Apparel carries on the core values: U.S. manufacturing, bold basics, and local control—with a more careful approach to brand building.
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Explore Gildan Activewear's impact on the fashion industry and how it transformed American Apparel after acquisition. ↩
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Learn about the direct-to-consumer model and its advantages in today's retail landscape. ↩
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Discover how Los Angeles Apparel continues the legacy of American Apparel under Dov Charney's vision. ↩
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Understanding the effects of leadership scandals can provide insights into brand management and recovery strategies. ↩
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Exploring the relationship between financial health and brand perception can help businesses avoid similar pitfalls. ↩
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Learning about public backlash can guide brands in crisis management and rebuilding trust with consumers. ↩
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Understanding the vendor-client relationship can provide insights into how brands like Yeezy and LA Apparel operate without formal partnerships. ↩
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A flexible supply chain is crucial for brands to adapt quickly to market demands, ensuring timely and quality production. ↩
