Because that “It Boy” story wasn’t douchey enough, we felt the need to bring you six pages of chow-chow on American Apparel guru Dov Charney. The subject is just so perfect for the New York Times magazine.
Forget that Charney’s in Los Angeles, yo — he’s Jewish, owns an understated hipster clothing line, has been profiled by Alex Kuczynski, advertises on Gawker, and is super controversial.
Dov Charney proudly refers to himself as a “Jewish hustler.” But he is quite possibly the most unorthodox Jew in the history of the shmatte business. A complicated, charismatic and occasionally controversial figure ???????? he is currently facing a sexual harassment suit ???????? Charney is so acutely in tune with the cultural moment that he is somehow able to use the plain blank T-shirts that he sells to convey potent messages concerning contemporary sex and politics.
Nothing says current sexual and political culture like plain white sweatshop-free wife beaters made by a guy accused of sexual harassment.
Our favorite Times quote of the day, however, explains what makes American Apparell so freakin’ awesome.
In an updated 21st-century way, the American Apparel ideal is Charney’s Young Metropolitan Adult, the hottie (male or female) from the ‘hood, whom you might see walking down the street, at the local coffee shop or working behind the counter at an American Apparel store.
To which we respond: seriously, what the shit? Since when is Orchard Street “the ‘hood?” Just because some fucktard is a hoodie wearing street hipster (and walking down the street) does not make him from the ‘hood. Hey, Jaime Wolf, why don’t you go ahead and ask 50 Cent the last time he chilled with the Times magazine in his nabe’s local Starbucks, or worked behind the counter for an American Apparel store?
Actually, don’t. We don’t want to be responsible for you getting shot in the head.
And You Thought Abercrombie & Fitch Was Pushing It? [Jaime Wolf, New York Times Magazine]
Earlier: Just Don’t Call Them ‘It’ Boys. Or Gay