I just read about American Apparel's new line of garments and accessories made of their usual stretchy cotton fabric. They're calling the pattern "Afrika" -- I guess that the 'k' gives it a Dutch colonial flair. Stereohyped noted that AA decided not to use any black models to promote the line but personally, I'm glad that no black models were used. I think they're a sleazy company and their garments are overpriced. If they used black models here it would obviously be to add some kind of legitmacy to the line which would be insulting. Also, the leggings they're selling on the website look like ass.
13 comments:
I accidentally deleted this when I was moderating comments:
::Otulp:: has left a new comment on your post "Afrika for Hipsters":
wow. relax. aa uses a fair number of black models. and "Tribal" is in now. i sweat aa and i think their clothes are cute and well priced. chill pill time
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Here's the thing Otupl, I DO think the company sucks and make overpriced clothes so there's nothing to "chill" about. I don't care if you don't agree. You can sweat those rags all you want and post on your blog about how much you love them. I promise I won't comment on it and tell you how to react to something.
Straight Up there stuff looks like crap, not surprised that usually happens when people duplicate a culture that doesn't belong to them
I agree, there's no doubt aa is sleazy and they are very shady all around. I'm so torn, though, because they make cool stuff, in my opinion. I constantly have to battle myself not to give them my money. My friends have all caved. I'm still holding out!
AA has opened up a store in Harlem, right on 125th street. I looked inside, wasn't impressed.
Upon seeing this photo, I thought I had made a mistake and keyed in the wrong website address. However after reading your comments, I realized that I was in friendly territory. Your overview of AA is definitely true and your witty commentary is right on target as usual. No self respecting fashionista would be caught dead or alive in that dreadful dress.
wow.. sorry if you took it personally. just throwing MY opinion out there- i wasnt telling you how to react, i read YOUR blog bc im interested in what you think.. obvs
but i still think the print is cute and that aa is harmless
@otulp
Thanks for posting. I don't have a problem if you disagree, I know tons of people that wear AA.
I mean i shop at american apparel, but i wholeheartedly agree...all their shit is over priced & i definitely will NOT be coping that slave shit. I know where to get real afrochic biribelle.com
Love your blog. I'm always creeping around here : ) Tribal is in...wow I just think its funny because its in to wear African patterns because AA said so?? African girls have been modernizing their mothers pieces and cloth for a while now. For example Cote Minou: http://bp1.blogger.com/_7OtST6Hl7ZM/SFCv7uPlLJI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/Jlwnhh7xMrs/s1600-h/launch+group.jpg
Did you see the blackface ad for American Apparel?
I read that the reason AAs clothing is overpriced is because they pay a decent wage, and the clothes are made in the USA. I've also heard from a few people that the t-shirts are of good quality.
I've also read in my much miss Jane, that the owner is a sleaze bag who has been accused of sexually harassing some of his female employees. I think* he may participated in a sexual act in front of the Jane writer who interviewed him. Does anyone remember that interview.
I look at it two ways. One they could of used blk models but then some os would of though it was racist or patronizing.
Dov Charney has totally been sued for sexual harassment by former employees and chastened by the National Labor Relations Board for union-busting at his factories. I think generic, but "ethical" (in quotes because I think he's not ethical in principle, just hipster marketing savvy) t-shirts and leggings are easy enough to get without padding that guy's wallet (see, for instance, Alternative Apparel).
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