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You Have To Watch This New Documentary on ‘The Cult of American Apparel'

info@hypebae.com (Hypebae)  Tue, 01 Jul 2025  Hypebae

Following an episode on Travis Scott's Astroworld, Netflix's new documentary Trainwreck takes a closer look at the American Apparel brand.

If you were around for Tumblr's indie sleaze era, you know that American Apparel was that girl. Behind the scenes, allegedly, it was a train wreck. The new documentary takes a look back at the brand's buzziest moments -- from hot pants to lining up for high-quality basics. According to the description, "In the early 2000s, American Apparel becomes one of the United States' most successful fashion brands, known for its colourful casual clothing, ethical production and its sexually provocative advertising campaigns."

Netflix, documentaries, Trainwreck, American Apparel, fashion, trends, indie sleaze, dov charney

But the brand's downfall inevitably came at the hands of its CEO, Dov Charney. As the description reveals, "For young staffers, it's an exciting time; a chance to be part of a cult-like company revolutionizing the fashion industry, and an opportunity to learn from American Apparel's charismatic CEO and founder."

Charney's charisma masked a dark underbelly, one that stood in stark contrast to his industry-disrupting image. "As the brand quickly expands, the young employees begin to realize that American Apparel's shiny surface is hiding a darker reality. Charney's chaotic management starts to hit the company's finances and he is accused of sexual harassment by female employees. As problems mount and the company begins to implode, staff members are forced to come to terms with the toxic work environment Charney has created."

Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel is now streaming on Netflix.

In other news, Jean Paul Gaultier gives Bratz the haute couture treatment.

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