March 12, 2010 | Shanghai
Mind Office

AMERICAN APPAREL

Opened: October 25.

What: 1933 hits the ground running – in dayglo yellow jogging pants. At long last, the socially-conscious clothing retailer is open. The clothes are still made in LA, and so are the wages – staff here receive above the US minimum.

Look: Small, but packed full of sweatshop-free goodness. Keen to reassure us that the venue’s days as a slaughterhouse are well and truly over, there’s nary a hint of branding. The provocative promo-pics have been toned down but, if anything, the color spectrum has gone the other way. The only items not available in a dozen different shades are those that already look like they’ve been hung out over a rainbow to dry. The staples – T-shirts, highlighter socks, super short shorts – are all here, but there’s also a fair bit of winter gear too.

Buy: Fine jersey T-shirt (¥188); plain tank vest (¥154); knee-high tube socks (¥102); solid rib mod dress (¥307); lamé late night mini skirt (¥328); unisex striped zip hoody (¥461); nylon taffeta jacket (¥553).

People: Art-deco admirers, people who want the look without the logos, and anyone that loves Rollerdisco.