The Basics—But Better: Los Angeles Apparel’s Gritty Essentials
Origins and Founding
Los Angeles Apparel was founded in 2016 by Dov Charney, the controversial former CEO of American Apparel. After parting ways with his original company, Charney started over with a new mission: ethically manufactured basics made in downtown L.A., with complete vertical integration and transparency at the core. The brand revived the DNA of early American Apparel—gritty, unfiltered, and unapologetically bold—with a new emphasis on fair wages and domestic production.
Ownership and Leadership
The brand remains privately owned and operated by Dov Charney. All garments are made in the company’s Los Angeles factory, where the brand maintains full control over sewing, dyeing, and cutting, with a focus on fair labor and rapid manufacturing cycles.
Aesthetic and Design Language
Los Angeles Apparel is utilitarian, gender-fluid, and raw. Its collections feature heavyweight cotton T-shirts, cropped tanks, sweatsets, and body-conscious basics that nod to ‘90s nostalgia and downtown edge. Colors range from classic neutrals to neon and pigment-dyed brights, and pieces are often shot on film or modeled without airbrushing to embrace a realness rarely seen in modern branding. The overall vibe is gritty, inclusive, and made to last.
Notable Pieces
- 14oz Heavy Fleece Hoodie – A cult-favorite, oversized sweatshirt with vintage-inspired structure and weight.
- Cotton Spandex Bodysuit – Sleek and minimalist with a high-cut leg and flattering square neckline.
- Garment-Dyed Crop Tees – Vintage-feel basics with boxy proportions and pigment-dyed finishes.
- Bike Shorts and Tanks – Stretch cotton essentials styled solo or layered with sweats.
- Unisex Work Pants – Structured canvas trousers built for durability and styled with streetwear ease.
Famous Fans
- Kanye West
- Addison Rae
- Billie Eilish
- Julia Fox
- Hunter Schafer
The Future
Los Angeles Apparel continues to champion ethical U.S. manufacturing while pushing the boundaries of basics with limited-edition dyes, inclusive styling, and provocative campaigns. As trends shift toward authenticity and transparency, the brand is carving out space as both a cultural disruptor and a go-to for heavyweight, no-frills fashion made responsibly in L.A.
