Netflix’s Trainwreck: Fired American Apparel CEO still working in the fashion industry

The former CEO of cult clothing brand American Apparel still works in the fashion industry despite allegations of wrongdoing and sexual misconduct.

Dov Charney, the initial driving force behind the clothing brand’s success during the 2000s, was terminated in his role as CEO in 2014.

Netflix released a Trainwreck special titled The Cult of American Apparel at the start of this month, bringing the company and Dov’s leadership back into focus.

Why was Dov fired?

Jonny Makeup via Netflix

In the documentary, employees exposed Dov Charney’s alleged sexually explicit behaviour as well as how he reportedly crossed workplace boundaries.

One employee, Jonny Makeup, described how he lived with the fashion tycoon and revealed: “Young women were always hanging around the house.”

There are also reports of Chaney facing at least five sexual assault lawsuits since the 2000s, however he has never been found guilty of any of the accusations.

Speaking to The Guardian, Dov maintained his removal from the company was an attempt by directors to steal American Apparel’s success for themselves, describing it as a “hoax” in an interview. He even went on to say: “Sleeping with people you work with is UNAVOIDABLE.”

Although Dov sought vengeance through defamation lawsuits, the parent company of American Apparel responded by releasing documents illustrating the CEO’s alleged misconduct.

What is Dov doing now?

This led to Dov launching rival clothing brand Los Angeles Apparel in 2017. He doesn’t deny the similarities between the two brands, labelling his new venture the natural progression of American Apparel.

The workplace also seems to operate under the same practices as American Apparel, which Dov labelled “revolutionary”.

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Hadley Freeman, a journalist from The Guardian, reported she had been “warned” about being “a little shocked by the factory”. Whilst the journalist found nothing extraordinary on the factory floor, when interviewing the self-proclaimed “free-thinking maverick”, she said she realised how he built up such a contentious reputation.

Los Angeles Apparel has also experienced its highs and lows, contending with a mass COVID outbreak among employees and Dov filing for bankruptcy in 2022. Yet, with the brand opening a store in New York this summer, the CEO seems to be making a comeback.

Additionally, Dov has worked with figures such as Ye, formerly known as Kayne West. However, he has subsequently distanced himself following the rapper’s anti-semitic comments.

Dov has denied the allegations against him, previously saying: “I’ve never engaged in any activities that could be characterised as sexual harassment.”

“There’s allegations… we’ve resolved them. None of it – none of these allegations were ever proven.”

Dov further spoke to Netflix, stating he has not been found guilty of, or liable for, any crimes.

Featured image via Netflix