The New Purity

"It’s a company that does the right thing," Schneider said. "It aligned with my own personal beliefs. It’s one of the few companies that has a voice. That’s what really made me want to take the position. I think we can do something great here."

In recent months, American Apparel has also tried to move away from its reputation for sexualized ad campaigns. The retailer, for example, was accused last month of airbrushing nipples and pubic hair off its website. Also last month, American Apparel apologized after a leaked email from a company organizing the brand's casting call stated that "American Apparel isn't hiring ‘Instagram hoes or THOTS.’"