American Apparel Hires New Men\'s Designer


American Apparels' new CEO Paula Schneider is leaving no stone unturned at the company in an attempt to get back in the green.

After 180 employees were let go last week, and former creative director Iris Alonzo and designer Marsha Brady were let go in February, the Los Angeles retailer has tapped Joseph Pickman as its men's design director.

Pickman who was the former Band of Outsiders men's design director for more than three years joined the company last week and has been brought on board by Schneider to help the brand revive its men's section. According to WWD Pickman is said to be bringing the look he developed at Band of Outsiders and with updating AA's basics and “revamping the men’s offering to elevate it".

“We’re working on bringing our menswear business back, as this category has tremendous potential. The addition of Joe Pickman, who has worked for some of fashion’s leading brands, is a great win for American Apparel,” said Schneider.

Over the last five years American Apparel has experienced about $340 million in net losses and has more than $200 million in debt with continually declining sales. Since her appointment in January Schneider, has also hired a new senior vp marketing and chief digital officer and noted that the payoff of these efforts to stabilize the company will be seen in the more "robust" product selection that will be present in American Apparel stores as early as fall.