Sex, Porn and My American Apparel Backpack

I bought this great bag from American Apparel the other day. It seemed like a frivolous purchase, particularly given my age. After all, I am no longer a teenager, so why do I need a clear, black, plastic schoolbag?

Why not, indeed?!

My American Apparel Black Clear Plastic Backpack

It’s come in very handy, actually! I have been taking it to work, and it looks great with an all black outfit: thick black stovepipe pants, a black silk shirt, black open-toed flat shoes and my black clear plastic schoolbag! All capped off with a decent blow-dry and a big smile. It’s big enough to fit all my gym gear (including sneakers) a water bottle, a book (I always have a book with me, that’s something you need when you don’t have a car and you catch public transport everywhere!) and all my wallets, keys, umbrella, sunglasses… you know; all my crap!

It’s also been great when I’ve been walking the streets of Sydney, house-hunting. The last few Saturdays have been rainy. That’s not problem for my American Apparel plastic back pack!

How Do You Get Your Hands on One?

If you want to pick up one yourself, then here’s the American Apparel link. They actually have a really great website, but make sure that you go to the correct page for your country.

I have bought things there before. The first ever time I found the brand was in San Francisco in 2008. It had probably been around for some time by then, but it hadn’t yet hit Australia. I was impressed by their good quality basics and terrific colour range. These days I buy there only infrequently, as I find the quality a bit sketchy and the staff too juvenile. But I am not their demographic. Personally, I would shop there more if either the quality was better or the prices were lower.

A Quick History of American Apparel

• Well, apparently the company began in 1989 – so it’s a very established brand.
• It’s now based in LA.
• According to Wikipedia, “Because of its vertically integrated and domestic manufacturing model, American Apparel’s gross margins are actually significantly higher than other basic apparel brands.”
• The reason I may not have been familiar with the brand name is that it traded other under names until after mergers post 2006.
• The company was sued by Woody Allen for using an image without his permission!

Sex, Porn and American Apparel

The company has also used pornographic actors in some of its ads including Lauren Phoenix, Charlotte Stokely, Sasha Grey and Faye Reagan. Some of the company’s other ads, which feature nudity or sexual themes, have been banned by various advertising authorities. Most recently, American Apparel agreed to comply with a UK ruling to not run an ad that appeared in VICE Magazine because it had the potential to “widely offend” people.

American Apparel was sued by four ex-models for sexual harassment, including one who sued the company, in a strange lawsuit where unsolicited nude photographs, consensual sexual text messages and requests for money surfaced.

So… About my Backpack

Well, that’s all very good and interesting. It was a great purchase. The quality is again, a little sketchy and I doubt that this bag will last more than a few months, if that. It cost me about $AUD 79.95.