NEW YORK, May 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Dov Charney, CEO and Chairman of American Apparel, Inc., was honored as Retailer of the Year at the 15th Annual Michael Awards for the Fashion Industry, held on May 7 at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel. The annual awards ceremony, referred to by the media as the "Oscars of Fashion," showcases and honors the best and brightest of the fashion industry. Previous winners include Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss, Oscar de la Renta, and Tommy Hilfiger.
Steve Shor, Founder and President of the Michael Awards, said, "In a surprisingly short period of time, American Apparel has distinguished itself as a truly unique and exciting retail brand in the global market. American Apparel's high-quality, Made in USA clothing, together with the company's progressive business practices and provocative advertising campaigns, have set the company apart as a fascinating story in the fashion world. For Dov Charney's accomplishments as an entrepreneur and as the creative director behind American Apparel, we are honoring him as Retailer of the Year."
Dov Charney stated, "I am privileged to accept this award in recognition of the hard work and creativity of the many people who have contributed to American Apparel's rapid growth and success. For years I have said that it is possible to manufacture clothing in the United States, pay among the best wages in the apparel industry, and still have a profitable business. Every week in our factory in Downtown LA, our workers manufacture over one million garments, and it is on their behalf that I accept this award."
About American Apparel
American Apparel, Inc. is a vertically integrated manufacturer, distributor, and retailer of branded fashion basic apparel based in downtown Los Angeles, California. As of April 30, 2008, American Apparel employed over 6,700 people and operated 187 retail stores in 15 countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Israel, Australia, Japan and South Korea. American Apparel also operates a leading wholesale business that supplies high quality T-shirts and other casual wear to distributors and screen printers. In addition to its retail stores and wholesale operations, American Apparel operates an online retail e-commerce website at http://store.americanapparel.net/.
About The Michael Awards
The Michael Awards for the Fashion Industry is an annual gala event which recognizes outstanding contributions and achievements in the fashion industry, featuring the newest trends and the hottest designers. Now in its fifteenth year, the awards ceremony has come to be referred to by the media as the "Oscars of Fashion." Proceeds from the annual event benefit the National Children's Leukemia Foundation, a leading nonprofit in the fight against leukemia, cancer, and other blood disorders. More information on the Michael Awards is available at http://www.michaelawards.net/.
Contact:
Mathew W. Swenson
Fashion Media Director & Brand Strategist
213-241-9626
