That’s right they have one and it’s just like home.

After 2 days, many metro rides, walks through VERY residential areas (meaning NO foreigners but us) and some broken Chinese conversations, Garrett and I found American Apparel in Shanghai.

And they might as well have picked up a store from home and moved it here cause they are identical.

From the fluorescent tights to the blinding white walls and the shiny white mannequins… everything was the same. Even the price tags and signs were the same… everything was like home, well except the prices.

My favorite deep v tee is about 20 bucks at home (which is already expensive). Here in Shanghai, it’s $45.00!! Just like my mascara!! Outrages.

In an attempt to try to justify these prices for them I came up with a variety of reasons:

1. All the clothes are made in LA and then shipped to China. (They are very proud of their Made in America-ness, as you can see throughout signage in the store.)
2. All the employees are paid US wages. (Maybe I should apply?)
3. Shipping costs?

I will say they have to be saving money on rent. They are located in the middle of nowhere right next to the Bermuda triangle and Santa’s workshop. It took Garrett and I two days to find them. And after we did some perusing, we tried to find a place to eat and happened to find… NOTHING.

They are in Shanghai’s 1933 Building which I guess is going to be a hot spot for art and creative-ness but from what I gathered that Sunday morning… its not a hot spot yet. It’s not even luke warm. I might have totally missed everything else… because they’re invisible.

Nevertheless I will give them their respect for bringing their movement to Shanghai. American Apparel is active in a movement they’ve coined “Legalize LA” which focuses on the rights of immigrants who often hold jobs in the garment industries in the US.

Clothes with a cause.

And a price tag… I guess wanting to make a difference via your t-shirt costs you 45 bucks here in Shanghai. Ce la vie.

Since Garrett and I worked so hard to find this place… I wanted to share the route with you…

Take line 4 to Hailun Rd and basically walk… a lot until you see two stone buildings that say 1933. I would bring a map.

Here’s the address.

Shanghai 1933 Building
Unit 1-103
No. 10 Sha Jing Road 1933
200080 Hong Kou District, Shanghai
Tel. +86 (0) 21 6563 8907

Store Hours:
Mon – Sun		11am – 9pm

4 Comments »

1. 

   thanks… okay i will stop this weekend afer work…

   Comment by PILAR — January 22, 2009 @ 10:11 am

2. 

   Yea that was a hike for sure, I still don’t understand how they are even in business. Something tells me the people who live around there aren’t buying $40 t-shirts.

   Comment by Garrett — January 22, 2009 @ 11:42 am

3. 

   dude, you should totally apply. unless it would mean a 3 day commute to work…

   Comment by Lori Phillips — January 31, 2009 @ 6:15 am

4. 

   I think there’s another American Apparel store at 138 Huahai Middle Road.

   Comment by Victoria — December 5, 2010 @ 11:33 pm

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