American Apparel

With its home base located in downtown Los Angeles, California, American Apparel is a vertically integrated manufacturer, distributor and retailer. They have nearly 10,000 employees all over the globe (about 5,000 in LA), including a strong presence in 20 countries with more than 285 retail stores.

Designing, dyeing, knitting, cutting, sewing, marketing, photography and distribution are all key factors within their business model. All this exciting activity occurs in their Los Angeles facilities. Not surprisingly, American Apparel operates the United States’ largest clothing factory, in an era where most garment production has been widely outsourced. With the advent of store openings in China, Made in the USA clothing is being sold in the world’s largest consumer market.

Perhaps one of the most unique aspects of American Apparel is their ability to successfully merge technology, design and its most basic, art, to redefine the business model while making great strides in setting industry benchmarks regarding environmental and social responsibility in the workplace.