Can you give more context on why you don’t “tolerate” the brands you mentioned? Examples?
Thanks!
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a designer who doesn’t know what she wants, isn’t a designer.
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I thought so when I worked there for 5yrs - literally worn me out physically & mentally.
still there are peeps works closed to 10yrs ++++
but there are still so many other companies would worse than Giii…after I left. 
Also, it depends on which division- each division works like individual company… 
At the end it wasn’t the worst, and learned a lot under my belt- and have this common questions how could you work there so long… 
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Oh goody I can vent without any reprisal?
Alex Ok who’s real name is Changho OK (He changed it to Alex because Changho is monkey in Korean) The former president of Forever 21, who I spent six years with from 1995 to 2001 is perhaps the biggest criminal in the apparel industry.
What they did from 2000 on with forever 21 destroying all of the other junior chains such as rampage gadzooks Mervyns intentionally because they manufactured for them, how do I, I am the one who brought them the accounts. I travel to Texas I travel to Chicago I travel to Germany I travel to China back-and-forth from New York to Las Vegas for these disgusting thieves. I went shopping with him and showed him what to buy when he plopped down $300 for an a sweet dress and two weeks later it will be in Forever 21 for 1999.
They knew the designs for all the junior chains I brought in they knocked it off and cut the price then when those stores went bankrupt they bought them.
I created ONE Clothing when they got served with a cease and desist from Pandora Casual’s because of the company that had the name for 40 years Pandora sweaters in Maine.
Innocently I would find myself at a tradeshow across from XOXO with the same exact line at half the price. It’s theoretically impossible that they didn’t have an insider at XOXO feeding them photographs and line sheets.
The whole bunch of them they used the church as a friend. I’m positive they still have safety deposit box filled with cash. Are used to hear that machine going all the time counting the money the cash from the San Pedro market store.
Yep the entire apparel industry in the United States was set up for failure by forever 21 Mr. and Mrs. Chang and Alex Ok.
Was no accident that they grew so fast buying the chain stores that they put out of business. It started with rampage Mervyns and gadzooks. That’s 800 stores right there.
I despise with those people did and got away with. Can you tell?
I threw away the best years of my life flying around the world organizing trade shows hiring the fashion models shooting and executing the catalogs, merchandising the line, bringing in licensing opportunities such as bugle boy and CBGB.
Those fuckers couldn’t speak English! The hardest thing was communicating to Alex and Cindy. what I wanted to do. They would look at me like, “duh”. I had to use sign language, pantomime, draw pictures, to do whatever it took for them to understand this is what we need to do. And in the end they fucked everybody.
The $10-$50 billion bankruptcy destroyed the lives of how many manufacturers around the world.
They walked away Scott free.
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Skechers is based in a beautiful beach city and a process oriented workplace. However, it lacks diverse and strong leadership who is willing to invest in their employees and operate with an open minded.
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What an assortment of horror stories! Many of the worst companies I’ve worked for are gone now,
but deserve mention here, such as Steve & Barry’s,
a real estate Ponzi scheme that was sold off to a series of unlucky investors;Pennsylvania Fashions, who’s owners, who had no understanding of fashion, cashed out and is now Rue 21, and Buckwear, which may still be in business, and lacked direction and competent leadership.
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Ugh, Steve & Barry’s.
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Hands down, it would have to be francescas. They still have their fitting rooms open, no cleaning supplies, took away maternity leave pay
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White and Warren is a terrible place to work. Owner and her daughter are miserable people. White privileged mentality. AVOID
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I have worked at 3 places that were beyond toxic, but I’ll speak to two of them since they are recent and very well known for this culture. Lucky Top Inc (DBA Hey Dude footwear) and National Stores (dba Fallas stores). I was horrified when I would hear the language used to belittle people and felt so bad watching these poor employees just take it because they don’t feel comfortable walking from a job in this climate. Both were totally driven by sole owners who believe in a tyrannical style that shouldn’t exist today. They don’t let you talk while at work, they get called names like STUPID, DUMB, ANIMALS, etc. I left both places, choosing unemployment over toxic work environment. My morals and ethics were just too high to allow myself to be a part of that. I just feel bad for all those still dealing with. Even ignoring COVID protocols when someone would get infected. STAY AWAY!
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I can 2nd that information about Guess being toxic. Paul also stands out in the parking lot to track when employees come/leave work. I had a superivior (at another company) that worked there for 20 yrs and learned well. She watched everyone like a hawk, self admitted she was harsh, didn’t trust anyone and was proud to be well trained and a product of the Guess toxic culture. I will say it did make her into an amazing politician however in my opinion not a humane manager.
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It depends on the manager too I think. I worked at a company where the first VP did not know what he was doing, slept with his subordinate, played favourites and basically made bad decisions based on his “feelings”. Then the next VP who came in was a fantastic, understanding, honest manager who understood what we needed, gave great guidance and had our backs.
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They are racist and sexist towards Black and Women of Color. The details you’d have to consult with our lawyer about since it is a sensitive subject and we are seeking legal counsel on how to file a case against these brands. Just know that the people who really shape fashion and beauty in the industry never are compensated or recognized in the upper management or in the great scope. That’s why the industry is losing money because the professionals such as myself who have been contributing to culture for decades refuse to put any more effort and have designed our own niche markets away from these mainstream corporations and brands. I can’t wait for all of them to go bankrupt already so the real fashion gurus and beauty taste makers can implement a much better, well-integrated more ethical mode of production moving forward.
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Ralph Lauren is the most toxic environment I’ve ever experienced. STAY AWAY. I quit without another job because I couldn’t take it anymore. Management is a complete mess, favoritism and nepotism is rampant and cultural diversity is non existent. I’ve never been treated so disrespectfully and been driven to such emotional and physical stress. Coworkers are cliquey and catty and you will never get promoted unless you threaten to leave (or are one of the “favorites”) Seriously, stay far away.
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A certain Orange County knitwear company… Zero leadership, CEO’s claim to fame is PetSmart… Abysmal corporate communication…Vendors not paid for months on end and retail store teams expected to keep creditors at bay… No name, big ticket designer hired to resurrect a dying brand, so expensive that most store managers who weren’t in “The clique” were permanently laid off after two months of unpaid furlough, by e-mail to pay her way… VP of retail has a vast luxury, fashion apparel background having most recently, supposedly served as a regional manager for an electric car company, wears ripped jeans on field visits to stores where elderly clients clutch their pearls and are expected to spend $2K on Chinese made sweaters, and spends most of her time posing on Instagram… I think it’s time to call time of death on this once fabulous, now mostly sad brand.
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Omg was it luxottica? I had a similar interview experience there that I can thankfully look upon now and just laugh. It was embarrassing at the time.
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If you are looking for Denim companies CANCEL OUT Jordache off the list too ! Once again a place that has their entire family in the highest positions of power whether they are qualified or not. Who constantly encourage bosses who treat people badly. They believe that people work well under a tyrant who is scary. I have literally seen certain higher ups go through 7 to 8 people just in a year. Lots of managers fighting with each other on the regular then running to the main Managemnt (which is always a family member )and the crazy ones always get support! They only and only care about their profits.
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Yes. Toxic environment .
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Thanks. I don’t see postings there often so it lead me to think I was a good place. Wellllll clearly I mistaken. Lol
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The list of toxic places I’ve worked is FAR LONGER than the list of places that were supportive and fostered a healthy workplace community. That said, the best company I’ve ever worked for was Rebecca Taylor. All the others in the same contemporary category have been outright bad for my well-being.
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