Is Dov Charney The New Larry Flynt?

July 31st, 2006 | Published in T-Shirts | 18 Comments

That’s what Blogging.la contributor David Markland wants to know…

On Friday night Dateline NBC aired a story focusing on harrassment charges against the CEO of American Apparel, Dov Charney. NBC says that a number of different employees in different cities contend that Dov was constantly looking for employees to have sex with, and commonly used inappropriate language.

More interesting than the debatable charges against him are the actions and opinions he openly refers to that constantly remind me of quotables from “The People vs. Larry Flynt”.

We’ve thrown a few volleys in Charney’s direction in the past, but I’m pretty sure this is the first time we’ve done it since we added comments. So what do you kids think — is Dov the new Larry Flynt or not?

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Dan says:

July 31st, 2006 at 8:33 pm (#)

who cares?! as long as AA continues to make decent shirts I could care less about the drama in that perverts life. I suppose we as a t-shirt community have our own opinions on the matter but for me, personally, I could care less. In fact, I almost hope he loses his money and some boring guy takes over so there would be no controversy.

Rong says:

July 31st, 2006 at 8:50 pm (#)

Are you for real? Use your brain dude. Dov will beat Larry up if they were in celebrity death match. He just will. Besides, American Apparel’s stuff is just plain awesome.

Jason Cosper says:

July 31st, 2006 at 9:30 pm (#)

The question wasn’t if I’m for real or not — nor was it if Dov could beat up Larry in a celebrity death match. I am using my brain, but it’s pretty apparent that you might not be.

Quit trying to be a troll, Rong. It’s not very becoming.

R0913R says:

August 1st, 2006 at 12:32 am (#)

Well, I think the answer is no.

While Dov is certainly attempting to loosen up the rather spastic attitude of a large part of America to sexuality - like Larry did in more dramatic way (I guess - I only saw the movie) - his major contribution is in a field (mass production of consumption goods) where enforcing legislation is lacking in many many cases.

I’m not sure, but I guess one can compare Dov’s sexual activities with Larry’s secondary activity as a politician…

Love the site, btw

Dave says:

August 1st, 2006 at 3:48 am (#)

While I hate to support a company with this pervert as CEO, I’d rather do so than support a company using sweat shops.

Brad says:

August 1st, 2006 at 8:12 am (#)

I’m not sure if he’s the next Larry Flynt, but I am pretty sure his company would be doing even better than it already is if he calmed his pants down a bit.

TPB, Esq. says:

August 1st, 2006 at 10:30 am (#)

While I tend to think his company is a short term fad, one that will be extinguished within a few years, I’m definitely intrigued by Charney’s behavior. It’s noticeably creepy (i.e., the ads that evoke porn, the alleged sexual misconduct, etc.). Combine that with the fact that American Apparel shirts seem to have only been made for males who have no upper body mass (or shoulder blades), and I’m not likely to buy their stuff.

History is a Weapon says:

August 1st, 2006 at 9:33 pm (#)

I’m not sure what you mean by the new “larry flynt.” If you mean hero to superficial twenty-somethings who think he’s a strong individual just “doing his thing,” well, maybe yes. If you’re asking if I think he’s a misogynist dickhead, the answer is yes.

Matt says:

August 1st, 2006 at 10:10 pm (#)

To be clear, it looks like Charney is being charged with “hostile environment””, which I think most would agree is far less egregious when compared to its “quid pro quo” counterpart. Nonetheless I’m sure his eccentric personality has made him a prime candidate for nightly news stories (and Preshrunk) to smear him and his company. However I think the more important question revolves around whether or not journalists and bloggers should give this type of thing any attention at all, at least until there has been a verdict in the case.

I’m sure most of AA’s customer base is composed of politically conscious individuals who feel secure purchasing clothing that hasn’t been produced in sweat shops, by child labor, or under other conditions that violate basic human rights (which is the bulk of clothing sold in the U.S.). [Which, as a side note, I'm surprised that the media has credited style instead of labor-conscious principles for his company’s success.] I would guess these customers would rather not buy clothing from an employer that encourages sexual harassment either. I would also guess that the result of media spin suggesting AA’s CEO is some smarmy sex-crazed businessman who forces all of his employees to engage in sex, or at least sexual banter, is sure to decrease profit margin.

The question then becomes; what is the intended effect of syndicating this news story? Is this to enlighten your audience to the recent slanted NBC report? Is there a benefit to perpetuating speculation as to whether or not sexual harassment actually took place? I think most would agree that this is one of the first wildly successful textile producers and retailers (if not the only) since globalization came to the fore. Is it worthwhile to reinforce news reports that portray a sleazy caricature (I realize it’s not difficult in his case) of a CEO who is actually making social and economic progress?

At the least, maybe we could give the absurd lifestyle and personal habits of pro-sweatshop CEOs some attention too.

TPB, Esq. says:

August 2nd, 2006 at 12:57 pm (#)

Um, hostile environment is or can be just as egregious, as it includes unwanted contact with employees.

Bo Duke says:

August 2nd, 2006 at 12:59 pm (#)

I think there are other big coporate dudes doing way worse things than Dov. It’s just that he’s eccentric, and always in the media. So it’s easy to focus on the crap he does.

What about Gildan. They impose pregnancy tests, and fire any woman who gets pregnant.

Cameron says:

August 3rd, 2006 at 1:57 pm (#)

1) AA’s stuff isn’t “just plain awesome”. Well it might be if you’re tiny. I’m not. Most of their shirts just plain piss me off. The 70’s/80’s retro crap they are doing this year makes me laugh: “quick quick, let’s see if we can get people to wear the worst clothing of a whole decade… tee hee”

2) The porn/pseudo porn in their ads and stores is just fricking creepy, especially when it all spills into their tiny kids section

3) Unwanted sexual advances and contact (which is what is being alleged, so let’s just talk in the abstract shall we?) are not part and parcel of “loosing up” anything. They’re wrong.

4) I wish I had a 4. But I don’t. Sorry.

Matt says:

August 3rd, 2006 at 3:43 pm (#)

“Um, hostile environment is or can be just as egregious, as it includes unwanted contact with employees.”

Not true. It “can” involve contact, but typically does not (see Lexus Nexus). As contact is more likely to be considered quid pro quo as the employee would then be forced to trade sexual behavior (i.e. physical contact) for employment.

3) “Unwanted sexual advances and contact (which is what is being alleged….)”

Again, not true. According to the NY Times and various other sources (including the woman is claiming hostile environment.

The previous comments underscore my point of the effect of media spin.

Cameron says:

August 3rd, 2006 at 5:16 pm (#)

And what makes an environment hostile?

Rose petals? Happy birthday cake?

Come on…

“The previous comments underscore my point of the effect of media spin.”

Oh yes, I’m all dizzy. Confused even. I’m a zombie. Thank you so very much for readjusting my world view random one named guy on the internet.

derek edison says:

August 6th, 2006 at 3:25 am (#)

it depends on what you mean by ‘the new larry flynt’. he’s a good self-publicist & he uses sex to promote his business. but, he’s not in a wheelchair, and i don’t think i’ve ever heard him condoning rape.

Rong says:

August 8th, 2006 at 8:34 pm (#)

… It’s true. You just can’t please everyone. So why beat yourself up trying to do that.

Besides, who got who talking about who?

Weronika Cwir says:

August 10th, 2006 at 5:24 pm (#)

Dov Charney’s employee here.

I used to be his assistant. Hostile environment? He uses creative metaphors involving elaborate dirty deeds and shouts them out on the phone. I actually thought it was really funny to hear “one million dollars” and “shove your pretty little face up my dog’s ass” in the same sentence from my boss. And I never felt threatened. He’s a lamb! Yeah, he swears a lot. But throw an inventive combo of swear words back at him, and he’ll probably just start laughing with you.

And yes, our stores are plastered with some very sexy images icluding covers of old porn mags. People who are upset by such images should not shop or apply for jobs at American Apparel.

nick says:

September 2nd, 2006 at 9:52 am (#)

mr. charney is hardly mr. flynt.
mr. flynt’s move into politic action and the defense of personal freedom was the byproduct of persecution (albeit for making nasty porn).
mr. charney’s claims to purity are tarnished by both his personal (sexual) actions and his proffesional actions.
while AA made a name for themselves as “sweat” free, they are also one of the only non-union textile manufacturers in the states. the heavier charges levied against charney and AA are for “union-busting” on site, not an old man making pervy adds or trying to sleep with his coworkers.
unfortunately, like most “left” concepts, the population that demands it is the first to tear it down. while i think AA needs the support, i do feel that it would be appropriate to rid the company of it’s controversial head, as he can only do more damage.
-keep the pervy adds
-keep the the small sizes (come on’ its the only brand where a medium couldn’t fit three of me and goes past my crotch. other companies keep making medium BIGGER, it’s annoying.)
-keep the styles (as to the “worst clothes” comment, AA pretty much has a revovling stock. most of the things in the store “this season” were there last season, and will be there next season. the polos, the t’s, the shorts, the velour track jackets…none of it is “this season”)

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Is Dov Charney The New Larry Flynt?

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