The Sweat Behind Beautiful Sweatshirts!

On my quest to learn more about Forever 21 I came across some shocking information. In the previous years F21 has faced lawsuits regarding sweat shop labor in the U.S and overseas, but denies any responsibilities. The documentary “Made in L.A” explains the lives of these workers. “We worked ten to twelve hours a day for subminimum wages and no overtime”, said Esperanza Hernandez one of the garment workers. “ A lot of our factories were dirty and unsafe with rats and cockroaches running around.” The Garment Industry doesn’t ask for experience or paper work and assume they can treat their undocumented workers however they want. When workers wanted to negotiate with the company, Forever 21 denied negotiation.

The Garment worker center is a non-profit community center that was started by a coalition of immigrant rights groups who have been helping workers for many years. They are against the garment industry and how they treat their workers. The Garment worker center allows them to fight back against their employers and take action to change the sweat shop conditions in garment factories. The GMW is also there for anyone who has questions or is looking for information or assistance. On their website you can volunteer or donate to their organization!

Although Forever 21 has nice clothes and such an appealing look to their store they treat their workers wrong; everyone should be treated equally. A woman from "Made in L.A" stated that an employer told her that if she didn't like it she could leave! I do shop at forever 21, simply because im infactuated with the style of clothing they sell. Now that I'm aware of these past issues, when I walk into Forever 21 I'm sure I'll think about my learnings. I'm curious to know how many workers actually know the truth behind the company their working for. As of right now I'm not really sure of how to feel about Forever 21.

More on Forever 21 and sweat shops...



http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php

http://www.39thandbroadway.com/hate-21/

http://foreverunfair.wordpress.com/2010/04/01/an-interview-with-a-forever-21-manager/

http://garmentworkercenter.org/background.php

From Fashion 21 to Forever 21

"Fashion 21" now known as Forever 21 was founded by Dong-Won Chang and his wife Jin Sook Chang who immigrated from South Korea in 1984. The first store opened on April 21, 1984 located on Figuera St. in the Highland Park District of Los Angeles. By the end of their first year in bussiness sales had risen from 35,000 to 700,000. Fashion 21 expanded and became Forever 21. There are many different formats of forever 21; Forever 21 (The original department store), XXI Forever( carries merchandise from all formats of the stores), Heritage1981(Vintage clothing), For Love21(accesory store), Forever 21+(plus sizes), Love21(line for women), Forever 21 Twist(a new limited edition collecttion launching a new line every 4-6 weeks), Forever 21 girls(for kids) 21Men(men clothing). There has been about 500 stores opened worldwide!

I Love Forever 21!

Bright lights, loud music, glittery floors, two levels and sooo much clothes to choose from...I think I'm In heaven. When I walk into Forever 21 the motivation to shop takes over me. My first destination, Heritage 1981. It's usually darker on that side and nobody is rarely there. The clothes seem to be more up beat and scream buy me! This is the only store where I'm excited to try things on; their dressing room is pure perfection! Huge black and blue doors with a nice mirror inside and a single door knob; it's a really classy look. Eventually I'll end up at the clearance section which is just as overwhelming as the rest of the store, Whenever I can't find what I need the clearance section never fails me. I absolutely love the $1.50 accesory section, it's the perfect finishing touch to a cute outfit. Overall Forever 21 is just AMAZING I could spend all day in that store, it has everything I need. So why not shop there? It has something for everyone, men, women and even kids. Forever 21 has become my new obsession and I need to know it's story.