Thanks for posting this, Brad. On several levels, the article describes the
dynamics of this generation, at once recognizable to aging Boomers with
bittersweet memories and the inevitable tension between the new
establishment and its latest challengers.
As the journalist noted, Charney's work zeitgeist often resembles Hugh
Hefner's early mission, as both were preaching a lifestyle as much as a
magazine or retail product. More than underwear, tee shirts have become the
mobile poster, chests and backs more outspoken than a plastic bracelet or
peace symbol pendant of not so long ago. Erotica and social conscience as a
marketing strategy ("Gap with a social conscience") appear to be a
successful descendant of the Berkeley-led revolution of the 60s, without the
social dropout factor.
You are right, it is the workplace environment and management model that
underscore the potential for a lasting impact. One could argue this is an
extension of a teenagers dream work environment, slang included, and the
sexual harassment suit proves that not all players know the game, reality
and time will bring changes. What happens when the management staff age and
settle down?
But it's great to see a young entrepreneur with ambitious plans to make the
workplace more worker-friendly and maximize multicultural themes. Whether it
can or will be duplicated or if this is too personally identified with the
owner to become 'normal', we shall see. kwc
The 23 April NYT Magazine has a feature article about American Apparel,
a clothing company which is making clothes and making money in the USA and
treating its workers well.
Ah, but there's a catch! This company does not live by neo-fundamentalist
morals, so we should be ashamed (as or at least puzzled!)
that the free market has brought forth such an
entrepreneurial teratoma (maybe regulation is at the
bottom of their success after all!). Dubya should put their CEO in jail
for his sinful advertising (There's also more on Information Clearing House
today
about how Dubya talks with God)!
\brad mccormick
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