American Apparel Selling 'Teenagers Do It Better' T-Shirt
Hipster clothier American Apparel has a new product out. It's a t-shirt that says "Teenagers Do It Better." Made in conjunction with a teen magazine called Electric Youth!, the t-shirts boast a 100% cotton design and domestic manufacturing. And of course, they're reminding people of the fact that CEO Dov Charney has been accused of sexual harassment by a number of very young women. 
The logo is not an American Apparel design, but instead belongs to this Electric Youth! mag, which AA sells. Here's an example of an EY! cover:
We just spoke with American Apparel CEO Dov Charney, who said he wasn't even aware of the t-shirt's existence. "I'm not involved with it," he said. "Electric Youth! would have directed that." He notes that EY! is a gay teen-oriented magazine that "explores youth in a provocative manner."
We were under the impression that Charney had full creative control over his product lines, which he says he still has. But "I don't know about this one," he said. "We're making a million items a month, so I don't know about this particular one."
The outrage being manufactured over at Styleite seems a little over-the-top:
The fact is, teenagers are naive and impressionable -- and as a result, creepy, manipulative grown-ass men can get them to do things they wouldn't do in other circumstances. Including dancing half-naked in front of a camera and coming over to their apartments for unwanted sexual encounters. And that's just not the kind of thing you should celebrate on a t-shirt.
Breathe, Styleite! There are racier items to be had at AA. According to Charney, the company is about to come out with a lingerie line, which, hold on to your hats.
Previously: Dov Charney Is Not Sweating 'Fraudulent' Sexual Abuse Claims, Bankruptcy: Q&A
Dov Charney Staring Down Chapter 11: American Apparel Still Facing Financial Woes
[rgray@villagevoice.com] [@_rosiegray]
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