Can Pubes Save American Apparel?

American-based “Hipster” brand American Apparel is well-known for three things. First, their severely overpriced, essentially cotton garments (leggings, dresses, v-necks, glittery spandex bodysuits, and the like). Second, they’re well-known for their provocative, borderline pornographic advertisements (see some examples below). And finally, American Apparel is well-known for having been in huge trouble business-wise for quite some time now. The company has neared bankruptcy on numerous occasions and seem to be doing whatever they can to keep their head above water.

American Apparel’s newest gambit to to feature women with pubic hair. It began with cartoons, which was shocking enough, and has now moved to actual photographs.

My problem with this ad isn’t necessarily its promiscuity and its borderline grossness. But honestly, what is this doing for the brand? If nudity hasn’t helped the company in the past, who’s idea was it to take a turn for the raunchy? The viewer isn’t looking at the garments that AA is sellling – they’re looking at her down-there hair, and it’s not likely making them want to run to their nearest American Apparel store.

Certainly the media placement for ads like these are severely limited – this one is running in Purple Magazine, a French publication. Perhaps if American Apparel cleaned up their inappropriate image and advertised to a broader audience they could save their company.

Below are some past ads from the company. Good luck, American Apparel.

Source: Fashionista