Dov Charney

Dov Charney is a Canadian entrepreneur and clothing manufacturer best known as the founder of American Apparel.

Dov Charney is a Canadian entrepreneur and clothing manufacturer best known as the founder of American Apparel. He was removed from American Apparel in 2014 amid allegations of sexual harassment and assault, and later founded Los Angeles Apparel, which he has continued to lead in some capacity. Charney remains a notable figure in North American fashion entrepreneurship.

Early life and education

Charney was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1969. Public sources identify him as Canadian and describe him as the child of creative parents.

American Apparel

Charney founded American Apparel and served as its public face during its rapid expansion. The company grew into one of the largest garment manufacturers in the United States before entering bankruptcy in 2015 after years of financial and reputational troubles.

Departure from American Apparel

He was removed from the company in 2014 after allegations of sexual harassment and assault, and later reporting also described internal investigations into inappropriate conduct. Charney and some reporting have disputed how misconduct claims were characterized.

Los Angeles Apparel and later activity

Charney launched Los Angeles Apparel in 2016, returning to the basics-and-blank-apparel market. Later reporting noted financial problems, including a 2022 bankruptcy filing with debts in the tens of millions of dollars. As of 2024–2025, reports described him as still active in the fashion industry and associated with Los Angeles Apparel and apparel-industry events.