Written by Madison Lamb • Published July 2, 2025 3:33 AM
Who Is Dov Charney? The Controversial Founder of American Apparel
Dov Charney was born in Montreal — but his empire was built in downtown Los Angeles.
By the early 2000s, the outspoken founder of American Apparel, made a name for himself by turning plain basics into edgy, “Made in USA” fashion statements — fueled by provocative ads, unfiltered models, and a workplace culture as chaotic as his ego. He made basics iconic — and turned himself into a brand.
But beneath the cotton and controversy, something darker was unfolding.
What Went Wrong at American Apparel?
American Apparel once had the world buzzing. With its bold, provocative ads, commitment to “Made in USA” manufacturing, and the rebellious swagger of founder Dov Charney, the brand quickly became a fashion icon. But behind the scenes, things were far from glamorous.
As the company grew, so did the dark cloud hanging over it:
- Between 2007 and 2014, multiple sexual harassment lawsuits and allegations against Charney surfaced, exposing a pattern of inappropriate and abusive behavior.
- Former employees described the workplace culture as toxic and hyper-sexualized — far from the progressive image the brand projected. According to staff interviewed in Netflix’s Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel, new hires received vibrators in their welcome kits, and Charney often walked around the office naked.
- Employees recounted emotional abuse and intimidation. One former HR executive called it a “fashion cult” and said, “We’re all going to be in therapy until the day we die.”
Charney’s massive ego fueled a need for control and power trips, creating an environment where bullying was common and anyone who challenged him risked retaliation.
This toxic leadership style ultimately led to Charney’s ousting in June 2014.
The scandal didn’t stop there. American Apparel struggled to recover its reputation and financial footing, eventually filing for bankruptcy in 2015 and again in 2016. What began as a promising, disruptive brand became a cautionary tale of how personal misconduct can destroy even the most hyped companies.
Did Dov Charney Sue American Apparel?
The fallout between Charney and American Apparel didn’t just play out behind closed doors — it exploded in courtrooms too. After being ousted in 2014, Charney launched multiple lawsuits against the company and former board members.
- Yes, in 2015, Charney sued American Apparel and board member David Danziger for defamation, accusing them of spreading false claims to keep him from regaining control.
- He also filed a $20 million defamation lawsuit against the company and its chairwoman, Colleen Brown, alleging they sabotaged his efforts.
- Charney even sued his former attorneys for legal malpractice in 2016, claiming they mishandled his cases.
Meanwhile, American Apparel pushed back hard, filing suits accusing Charney of violating standstill agreements and trying to orchestrate hostile takeovers. Courts even issued restraining orders to keep him from interfering with company affairs.
This legal tug-of-war exposed just how toxic and contentious the breakup really was — a bitter battle where neither side emerged unscathed.
What is Los Angeles Apparel? The New American Apparel
After the American Apparel saga, you’d think Charney might have taken a hint. Nope. Instead, he doubled down and launched Los Angeles Apparel in 2016, hoping to revive his “Made in USA” basics dream — with all the drama in tow.
- According to Los Angeles Apparel’s official site, the company runs a vertically integrated factory in South Central Los Angeles employing over 1,500 people as of 2022.
- About 90% of the factory’s machinery came straight from American Apparel’s bankruptcy sale, proving Charney’s not ready to let go of his past.
- Factories were slammed shut during COVID-19 outbreaks in 2020, when over 300 workers caught the virus and four tragically died — forcing a health-mandated closure (Los Angeles Times).
- Financial troubles piled up, dragging the company into bankruptcy twice, showing the money drama isn’t new.
- And the toxic leadership? According to former staff and industry reports, it’s the same old story — the problematic management style Charney just can’t shake.
Charney’s track record? Less “comeback story,” more “history repeats itself.”
Some Redditors who worked at or bought from Los Angeles Apparel noticed that little has changed,“LA Apparel still carries that weird vibe. The founder’s behavior hasn’t evolved much, and customer service sucks.” (reddit.com/r/ethicalfashion)
Reports of poor working conditions during the pandemic and a persistent lack of transparency continue to be common complaints.
Would you trust a brand with that kind of history?
The Yeezy Connection: When Two Toxic CEOs Collide
Here’s where it gets messier.
Just when you thought Charney’s disaster saga couldn’t get worse, Kanye West’s Yeezy — a brand already in freefall — needed a lifeline. Enter Dov Charney.
Los Angeles Apparel became the main manufacturer for Yeezy’s clothing — because apparently, two chaotic egos in meltdown make a perfect disaster combo.
- Charney refused to produce a swastika shirt for Yeezy merch. Not some noble stand — just a bare minimum of common sense.
- Kanye publicly called Charney a traitor, dragging him through the mud on social media and interviews like a reality TV villain.
- Rumors exploded about millions missing, a warehouse resembling a disaster zone, and a backstage mess worthy of its own meltdown special.
No heroes here. Just two egos crashing and burning — and everything around them going up in flames.
How Did Kanye and Dov Charney Meet?
Their connection didn’t come from a big press event or a fashion week handshake. It started quietly—and got weird fast.
It all started with a hoodie. Around 2016, Kanye’s team began sourcing hoodie samples from Dov Charney’s Los Angeles Apparel. The quality and style matched Ye’s vision for Yeezy basics—and that small production exchange kicked off their working relationship.
As Kanye’s Sunday Service performances took off, Charney wasn’t just producing clothes anymore—he was showing up. Behind the scenes, he was helping manage production timelines, material sourcing, and the logistics of merch drops.
According to SoapCentral, Charney evolved into a key figure in Yeezy’s operational strategy—serving as an ongoing consultant and manufacturing lead.
By mid-2023, multiple outlets reported that Kanye had made Charney the unofficial CEO of Yeezy. While never formally confirmed, he’s reportedly responsible for:
- Factory production and fulfillment
- Drop logistics and timelines
- High-level brand strategy
So yeah—what started with a few hoodies turned into a full-blown role in one of the most chaotic brands in fashion.
Why We’re Done With These Toxic Trainwrecks
We’ve been watching Dov Charney and Kanye West crash and burn for years. But this isn’t just entertainment — it’s a serious problem. These “visionaries” built empires fueled by ego, controversy, and a blatant disregard for the people who helped make them successful.
Toxic leadership like this ruins lives, destroys workplaces, and sets a dangerous example. It’s not enough to just shake our heads and scroll past. We have to demand better.
Here’s why we’re done—and why it’s time for you to join the movement:
- People Over Profit: No brand is worth sexual harassment, abuse, or toxic culture. Workers deserve respect and safety, not silence and exploitation.
- Accountability Is Non-Negotiable: When leaders behave badly, there must be consequences. No more “cancel culture” excuses — real accountability means structural change.
- Your Dollars Are Your Voice: Every purchase supports the values behind the brand. Boycotting toxic companies sends a powerful message that abuse isn’t acceptable.
- Support the Ethical Alternatives: Seek out brands and leaders who uplift their teams, prioritize transparency, and fight for fairness.
We’re done glorifying trainwrecks disguised as geniuses. It’s time to build a fashion industry — and a world — that stands for dignity, respect, and real progress.
Why Boycotting Matters
Every purchase is a choice — and when you buy from brands connected to Charney or Kanye West’s troubled empires, you’re indirectly supporting workplaces with a history of harassment allegations, unsafe conditions, and toxic leadership. Behind the glossy ads and trendy merch are real people affected by these issues. Boycotting sends a clear message: we won’t back harmful behavior. Supporting ethical alternatives is a way to stand for respect, safety, and accountability.
How You Can Take Action
- Refuse to buy from American Apparel, Los Angeles Apparel, or Yeezy merchandise linked to this toxic leadership.
- Support ethical, transparent brands that prioritize worker safety and respect. Check out Good On You for a list of ethical fashion brands.
- Share stories and documentaries like Netflix’s Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel to raise awareness about toxic workplace cultures.
- Demand accountability from brands and their leaders by engaging on social media and signing petitions like those on Change.org.
CREATE. OPTIMIZE. INNOVATE.
High-Resolution Writing, LLC.
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