Kate Flannery’s memoir “Strip Tease” offers a raw, unflinching look into the seductive and ultimately exploitative world of American Apparel during its heyday in the early 2000s. This compelling narrative serves as both a personal confession and a cautionary tale about the blurred lines between sexual empowerment and exploitation in corporate America.
The memoir begins with Flannery, fresh out of feminist-focused Bryn Mawr College, arriving in Los Angeles with dreams and ideals intact. When approached by an American Apparel representative who promised an ethical workplace focused on fair labor practices and revolutionary ideals, Flannery found herself drawn to what appeared to be a progressive company championing values she believed in. The billboards featuring “real” women seemed refreshing in contrast to the airbrushed Victoria’s Secret models dominating advertising at the time. This authenticity was appealing not just to Flannery, but to countless young women who saw themselves represented in these images.
However, as Flannery’s role within the company expanded, the darker reality emerged. American Apparel founder Dov Charney cultivated an environment where professional boundaries were systematically dismantled. The “family” mentality, the constant parties, and the blending of personal and professional lives created a culture where exploitation flourished under the guise of sexual liberation and corporate revolution. Women’s images were used without compensation, sexual advances were normalized, and reporting structures were designed to protect the company rather than its employees.
One of the most powerful aspects of Flannery’s memoir is her brutal honesty about her own complicity. Despite recognizing red flags, despite her “Bryn Mawr voice” warning her, she remained with the company for years. Her struggle represents the complex reality many women face in toxic workplaces – financial dependence, professional isolation, and the gradual normalization of inappropriate behavior all contribute to why people stay in harmful situations longer than outsiders might expect.
The memoir raises profound questions about feminism in the early 2000s. Was the “sex-positive” movement truly empowering women, or was it simply repackaging exploitation in more palatable terms? When women are encouraged to “own their sexuality” within systems still controlled by men who profit from that sexuality, is that progress or simply a more insidious form of the same old patriarchy? Flannery doesn’t offer easy answers, but her experience illuminates how easily feminist ideals can be co-opted and weaponized against the very people they were meant to empower.
“Strip Tease” also serves as a potent examination of cult-like corporate cultures. The isolation from outside perspectives, the charismatic leader, the us-versus-them mentality when faced with criticism – these elements created an environment where employees gradually lost their ability to recognize problematic behaviors. When Charney faced sexual harassment lawsuits, he framed critics as “puritanical forces” trying to destroy their revolutionary work, effectively silencing internal doubts.
The memoir resonates today as conversations about workplace harassment, corporate ethics, and the true meaning of empowerment continue to evolve. Flannery’s willingness to expose her own naivety, her struggles, and ultimately her growth provides a valuable perspective for young professionals navigating complex workplace dynamics. By sharing how easily her firm feminist principles were eroded in an environment designed to exploit, she offers a crucial warning about the subtle ways power can be abused.
