Trainwreck Dives Into The Cult Of American Apparel

Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel unpacks the brand’s explosive rise, controversial leadership, and the chaos that brought it down.

Trainwreck is back with another jaw-dropping episode—and this time, it’s pulling back the curtain on one of fashion’s most infamous meltdowns. Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel is set to premiere July 1, and it’s diving deep into the colorful, chaotic, and ultimately catastrophic rise and fall of American Apparel.

Once hailed as a revolutionary force in the early 2000s fashion scene, American Apparel stood out with its rainbow-hued basics, commitment to ethical manufacturing, and sexually charged ad campaigns that pushed the envelope. For many young creatives, working at the company was more than just a job—it felt like joining a movement. With a magnetic CEO in Dov Charney, the company cultivated a devoted culture and a rebellious edge that resonated with a new generation.

But as the brand’s popularity skyrocketed, cracks in the foundation began to show. In The Cult of American Apparel, director Sally Rose Griffiths captures how the company’s cult-like allure masked a darker reality. Former staffers recount how the same energy that once inspired them slowly spiraled into dysfunction.

Charney’s erratic leadership style soon began to take a toll. Financial missteps and internal turmoil started to threaten the empire he built, all while disturbing accusations of sexual harassment by female employees began to surface. As the allegations mounted and the business buckled under pressure, employees were left to reckon with the toxic workplace culture they had once embraced.

The episode is produced by RAW and BBH, with executive producers Sheun Adelasoye De Nicola, Alexander Marengo, and Tim Wardle (RAW), as well as Casey Feldman, Erica Roberts, and William Swann (BBH). Ben Rumney serves as series producer.

Part of Netflix’s gripping Trainwreck anthology series, The Cult of American Apparel continues the show’s mission to chronicle the wildest real-life debacles that captivated the public. With previous episodes tackling infamous moments like The Astroworld Tragedy, Poop Cruise, and Mayor of Mayhem, this latest installment promises to be just as addictive and unsettling.

Brace yourself for a behind-the-scenes look at how one of the most recognizable brands in modern fashion unraveled—and how the people inside it saw the cult turn into chaos.