The NSFW History of American Apparel's Ads

1995

Jewellery, Elbow, Chest, Neck, Muscle, Trunk, Sleeveless shirt, Abdomen, Waist, Active tank, American Apparel

Not exactly sure about that headline, but, hey: It was a simpler, less porn-y time.

1999

Shoulder, Joint, White, Elbow, Undershirt, Chest, Neck, Sleeveless shirt, Muscle, Active tank, American Apparel

Still tame, even by normal standards. (And especially by AA standards.)

2000

Finger, Shoulder, Elbow, Joint, Wrist, Undershirt, Chest, Neck, Waist, Muscle, American Apparel

And here we are, at the top of the slippery slope.

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2001

Blue, Hairstyle, Sleeve, Skin, Shoulder, Joint, Elbow, Waist, Style, Black hair, American Apparel

Still teetering. Haven't quite slipped yet.

2003

Lip, Cheek, Forehead, Facial expression, Tooth, Jaw, Organ, Teal, Aqua, Neck, American Apparel

Starting to lose footing.

2004

Shoulder, Joint, Undergarment, Thigh, Plumbing fixture, Undergarment, Back, Lingerie, Briefs, Stomach, American Apparel

And here it is. The start of the slide.

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2004

Human leg, Shoulder, Brassiere, Joint, White, Undergarment, Swimsuit bottom, Thigh, Lingerie, Trunk, American Apparel

Moving faster now.

2005

Human, Hairstyle, Skin, Shoulder, Joint, Chest, Muscle, Thigh, Trunk, Neck, American Apparel

Faster still (wearing nothing but socks).

2005

Facial hair, Skin, Human body, Joint, Chest, Trunk, Muscle, Beard, Thigh, Moustache, American Apparel

"Hey, Glen. Do you plan to take this journey to the bottom with us?"

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2005

Hairstyle, Skin, Joint, Black hair, Muscle, Bangs, Beauty, Eyelash, Thigh, Wrist, American Apparel

2005 was, apparently, the year of AA's butt obsession.

2006

Blue, Skin, Human leg, Joint, Thigh, Undergarment, Brassiere, Stomach, Abdomen, Muscle, American Apparel

Oh, and 2006. Here's Exhibit A.

2006

Shoulder, Joint, Waist, Back, Thigh, Long hair, Abdomen, Hip, Tights, Undergarment, American Apparel

And Exhibit B.

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2006

Skin, Human body, Shoulder, Elbow, Hand, Joint, Wrist, Waist, Muscle, Neck, American Apparel

Also, nudity. At least her feet aren't cold. (Because we bet the rest of her is.)

2006

Arm, Finger, Shoulder, Elbow, Hand, Joint, Wrist, Bottle, Jaw, Drink, American Apparel

"Hey, do you know Glen?"

2006

Arm, Skin, Elbow, Comfort, Fashion accessory, Wrist, Jewellery, Thigh, Flash photography, Model, American Apparel

This sort of pseudo-candid, snapshot-style shot became a hallmark of AA's campaigns.

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2007

Skin, Human leg, Joint, White, Thigh, Undergarment, Knee, Muscle, Tan, Hip, American Apparel

As did butts. Clearly.

2008

Elbow, Font, Knee, Wrist, Thigh, Exercise, Advertising, Physical fitness, Stretching, Active pants, American Apparel

Compared to the rest? Not so bad, actually.

2008

Human leg, Elbow, Knee, Thigh, Muscle, Illustration, Foot, Ankle, Linens, Flesh, American Apparel

But this one more than makes up for it.

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2008

Lip, Hairstyle, Skin, Shoulder, Joint, Chest, Brassiere, Eyelash, Undergarment, Jaw, American Apparel

For a while there, AA started using actual porn stars in their ads. Here's one of them.

2009

Nose, Lip, Mouth, Skin, Chest, Eyelash, Trunk, Black hair, Abdomen, Muscle, American Apparel

And here's another. (We warned you this was NSFW.)

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