One of the worst excuses for a clothing company that I have ever seen is “American Apparel.” In 2005 the company was named “Marketer of the Year” at the first-ever LA Fashion Awards. “Women's Wear Daily” published a survey in April 2007 from Outlaw Consulting, a creative research firm tracking the habits of 21- to 27-year-olds, which ranked American Apparel as the 8th most trusted brand, ahead of such clothing brands as H&M and Levi's. After the passing of Prop 8 (which defines marriage in the state as one man and one woman) in California in November 2008, American Apparel launched the “Legalize Gay” campaign. Not surprisingly, American Apparel’s website features some of the most pornographic images of any fashion brand: the above picture (top) is only one example. It’s practically indistinguishable from the “classic” spread-eagle pose (bottom) from Penthouse. The American Apparel model may be more beautiful, the photographer more accomplished, and the overall feeling of the print is more artsy; but, it’s the same thing. It’s porn!