Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel - Everything we know about the upcoming Netflix docu-series 

If you love watching documentaries, then mark your calendars, as Netflix is all set to release Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel, a new documentary episode on July 1, 2025. It follows the rise and fall of the once-iconic fashion brand, and the episode is part of the larger Trainwreck anthology, which focuses on controversial moments and people in pop culture history.

American Apparel was regarded as a fashion pioneer. When the majority of its competitors were outsourcing labor, the company proudly promoted fair wages, ethical manufacturing, and a made-in-USA philosophy.

Young customers responded favorably to its positioning as a brand with a conscience. This external message, however, was concealing something quite different within the organization, which will be revealed in Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel.

Dov Charney, who is characterized as both visionary and volatile, is a major subject of the documentary. He started the brand from the beginning, but several insiders claim that his strict, unrestrained management style made the workplace unstable and frequently terrifying.

The episode's promises reveal recurring reports of verbal abuse, frightening late-night calls, and unpredictable demands through interviews with former employees. Some workers even call it "a fashion cult", claiming that after being initially thrilled to be a part of something brave and moral, they were emotionally ruined by the experience.

Keep reading to learn more about this upcoming episode.

Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel: Everything to know about this upcoming episode

Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel is directed by Sally Rose Griffiths and produced by RAW and BBH, and is based on compelling personal stories and visual storytelling. It is the fourth episode of the eight-part series, each of which focuses on a different scandal from real life.

In this instance, the documentary tells the complete story of American Apparel's spectacular rise and fall by combining internal documents, first-hand interviews, and archival footage. As seen in the trailer, the former employees are claiming that Dov Charney was incredibly rude.

A woman can be heard claiming, "He was crossing all kinds of lines and boundaries", and never understood the meaning of "no". Charney has been the subject of numerous sexual harassment allegations, which he denies. Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel notes that these claims never led to criminal convictions, but they were a major part of the public controversies.

Despite the brand’s strong marketing and distinct aesthetic, the weight of internal dysfunction, legal battles, and financial mismanagement pushed it into two bankruptcies, first in 2015 and again in 2016. It went from being a dream job for many to feeling like you were stuck in some kind of fashion cult.

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Where to watch Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel

The episode will premiere on Netflix globally on July 1, 2025. It continues the anthology’s pattern of dissecting the most infamous public meltdowns and scandals from various sectors, from business to pop culture.

Whether you're interested in fashion, corporate culture, or true stories of downfall, this installment of Trainwreck will likely strike a chord. It’s not just a story about a clothing brand. It’s a sharp reminder of how powerful an image can be, and how quickly things fall apart when reality doesn’t match the façade.

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