Strip Tees: A Memoir of Millennial Los Angeles

Flannery’s bold debut memoir chronicles her experiences working for clothing company American Apparel in the aughts. Eager to break into the fashion industry after graduating from Bryn Mawr, Flannery had only been in L.A. a few months when she was approached with an offer to join the budding company as a retail employee and occasional model. Enamored by the concept of “ethical capitalism” peddled by CEO Dov Charney, and the prospect of working in an ostensibly feminist environment, Flannery eagerly accepted. It wasn’t long before she, in turn, recruited a young, fresh-faced “Classic Girl” to model and work retail and Charney—who often dated these women while they were on company payroll—sent Flannery to New York to scout more. Despite scandalous rumors about her boss, Flannery remained resolute that she “wouldn’t have to be a Dov girl to climb the ladder.” As she continued to bring new women into the fold, however, Charney’s predatory behavior permeated the cultish company, and she opted to leave. Flannery succeeds in illustrating the fashion industry’s blurred lines in the decade prior to #MeToo, and the tough choices women faced between professional success and personal safety. This is an authentic portrait of the battle to remain true to oneself. (July)