Who is Jonny Makeup from Netflix's Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel? Explained in depth

Despite its ‘Made in USA’ label, American Apparel became an infamous brand known for its controversial campaigns and a CEO whose personal conduct faced intense scrutiny. Netflix’s Trainwreck explores various modern-day disasters. The latest addition to it is The Cult of American Apparel. One of the key figures who appears in the docuseries is Jonny Szymanski, also known as Jonny Makeup.

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In Netflix’s Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel, Jonny shares his experiences at the fashion brand and how the dysfunctional company, led by the controversial founder and CEO Dov Charney, caused misfortune for both its employees and the company itself.

Who is Jonny Makeup?

A socialite in the early 2000s, Jonny Szymanski was a nightlife performer who rejected the conventional work life. Jonny is a strong supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community. He often used his platform to promote inclusivity and diversity. As part of the gay hip-hop group V.I.P. Party Boys, he became a well-known figure in the underground music scene.

In 2013, he also worked as a solo artist, showcasing his more refined songwriting skills. He has also appeared on shows such as ‘The Girl Next Door’ and ‘The Tyra Banks Show’. Additionally, he has a song named after him, ‘Jonny Makeup’ by the band Gravy Train!!!!.

In 2005, Jonny decided to find a more stable job when he applied for a merchandising role at an American Apparel store. Although his expectations were uncertain, he successfully secured the position of District Merchandising Officer. Jonny’s creative mind and out-of-the-box thinking helped him climb the corporate ladder quickly.

Jonny Makeup’s experience at American Apparel

Jonny started working closely with Dov. He found Dov to be mercurial towards his employees. In Netflix’s Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel, Jonny shared that he even stayed at his boss’s house briefly. He said that when Dov invited him, he didn’t want to pass up the chance since he could live in luxury. But things took a turn when he saw young women always hanging around the house, giving it a ‘Playboy Mansion’ vibe. Eventually, Dov’s toxic behavior led Jonny to move out.

Jonny was unaware of the sexual misconduct allegations against Dov. Initially, he thought they were just for monetary gain. However, after hearing accounts from employees over time, he concluded that the allegations might be true. Though he no longer held Dov in high regard, he felt uneasy when he learned that Dov was no longer the CEO of the brand.

Where is Jonny today?

Jonny continued working at American Apparel long after Dov left the company. After American Apparel was acquired, he took on the role of Director of Philanthropic and Creative Partnerships and Marketing. He played a key role in shaping the brand’s image, which was then under intense public scrutiny.

In 2017, he joined Sunset/Studios as Vice President of Accounts and Creative, collaborating with influential brands worldwide, including Disney, Harley-Davidson, and Puma. In 2023, he became Creative Director at Borg Rise US, where he leads marketing and business development strategies.

Watch Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel on Netflix

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