Photo via flickruser

It seems like the display rack in Target looks ‘a whole lot like’ the display racks in American Apparel. Like the products are ‘complete rip offs’ or something.  At first I was excited, since I thought I would get a ton of Am-Appy-ish materials ‘on the cheap’ but then I started to wonder if these knock-offs would enable me to achieve the same brand goals.  Not sure if I would be able to ‘lie’ to myself, kinda like women who use fake purses.  Not sure if the $5-$10 prices would be worth paying if they weren’t officially amAppy.

Can’t believe Target ‘totally ripped off’ Am Appy. Wonder what they are trying 2 do.

I feel like Am Appy owns the ‘design rights’ to this aesthetic, and probs deserve to sue any1 who rips them off. They are responsible for branding this aesthetic as ‘kewl.’

Maybe Target decided to ‘rip off’ the Am Appy clothing aesthetic in order to ‘get back at them for ’stealing their logo aesthetic.’

I did some internet research and found out that Target was founded in 1902. American Apparel was founded in 1989. I feel ‘very surprised’ by that fact, since I have only known about Am Appy for a few years (I first found out about them when they moved into my suburban market mall.) It is interesting that they both have similar logos that rely on ‘the power of Helvetica’ to get across their store’s aesthetic. It seems like Am Appy might have ‘ripped off’ the Target logo by using Helvetty/Arial as their font.

Yall can probably notice the similarities in the store logos.

Seems like most ‘everything’ stores are trying to appeal to alts. Or maybe alternative aesthetics have ‘taken over’, and they are trying to enable the poors to wear solid coloured shirts. Maybe poor people will no longer think that they need ‘branded logos’ + scribbly shit [via Ed Hardy] on their t-shirts to make them look like they are rich/fit-in.

Just don’t know what belongs to who, and what type of ‘intellectual design property’ can really be owned. I feel like the Font Industry and the Music Industry are really similar. I think I expect to utilize fonts for free, much like I expect to listen to music for free. The person who creates a font is looking to ‘go mainstream’ by ‘getting included’ on tons of personal computing machines. This is the same thing that buzzbands need to try to accomplish. Fonts + Music can’t really ‘change the world’ but they can definitely be an under-appreciated element of ur every day life.

Bands need to create files that make it on to as many computers as possible. MP3s, JPGs, MOVs, FLVs, PDFs, EXEs, DMGs, and any other type of file known to man. Buzzbands need to ‘make it’ on to pplz computers.

Having a huge crisis.

Do u think that Target will get sued by Am Appy?
Do u think Am Appy will get sued by Target?
Do u still think Am Appy is a ‘relevant brand’?
Is there a new Alt brand?
Should I be a font designer, or should I start a buzzband?
How does the law decide ‘who owns a font’/font-based logo?

Previous Target Coverage
http://www.hipsterrunoff.com/2009/09/is-target-the-most-authentic-everything-store.html

I was browsing the Am Appy store, and I found a kewl new product called ‘the bag o scraps.’ I think that the concept behind the product is that you can ‘create your own meaningful arts and crafts’ using Am Appy material/the exclusive Am Appy colour/design palette. Like if you can’t afford a real Am Appy t-shirt, you could glue together these scraps to make ur own unique one. Or if you are a free-spirited girl, u can ‘let ur imagination run wild’ while creating some thing ‘beautiful’ with the bag-o-scraps.

It seems hard to run a clothing manufacturing company, like there is all of this ‘extra shit’ left over, but u don’t really know what to do with it. Then u hire some ‘alternative arts+crafts consultants’ to come in with some ‘fresh ideas’ about how you can brand this waste. Seems like u are just ‘jonesing 4 money’ in anyway possible, trying to ‘liquidate inventory’ and ‘reduce the bottom line’ by ‘creating brand synergy’ and ‘manufacturing efficiencies’ while keeping ‘fixed costs at a minimum’ and creating a ‘progressive business culture’ where ‘ideas are incubated’ and ur ‘vertically integrated corporate structure’ is able to ‘make huge margins.’

The bag-o-scraps sorta reminds me of how barbecue restaurants invented a product that is a sandwich made out of the leftovers from beef scraps and the leftover meats that have a ‘high fat content.’

The Chopped Beef BBQ sandwich is made up from the scraps and leftover fat cuttings from the ‘premium beef products.’ They are able to mix all of this 3rd class waste with barbecue sauce, and sell it like it is a ’special recipe’, but the people who eat it are actually ‘eating pig slop.’ It seems important to only eat ‘white meat’ and possibly red meat that has a ‘reasonable fat content.’ But I think in America, ppl like to eat unhealthy stuff, and take pride in it.

(What is ur fave kind of BBQ?)

It seems difficult to run a business efficiently. I feel like ideally, there would be no ‘leftover scraps’ to salvage. But maybe the bag-o-scraps is sorta a lesson about life. Not everything is going to be a perfectly tailored t-shirt in a unique colour sold at an above-market price because ur buying a ‘quality brand.’ Sometimes u have to take what life gives you–a bag-o-scraps– and turn it into something beautiful. Maybe life is just a bag-o-scraps, and the individual scraps are the people/mp3s/blogsites/social networks/tweets that make U who U R as an individual.

Might buy a bag-o-scraps and open up an etsy store/ebay thrift store. Seems lucrative. Might open a BBQ restaurant.

‘Matter can neither be created nor destroyed. It may be rearranged in space, and changed into different types of particles, and utilized to create meaningful arts, crafts, and branded products.’
-God when creating the Bag O Scraps

Previous Am Appy Coverage
[Kanye West Shops at Am Appy] [Am Appy Swine Flu Mask] [Am Appy Black Guy Employee] [Product Packaging Analysis] [Am Appy undies with cock pic] [Afrikaan products at am appy] [Am Appy Products that are easy 2 <3/h8]

Do u have n e good ideas 4 making shit with the ‘bag o scraps’?
Do u know if Am Appy cloth is ‘the same as a condom’ if u wrap it around ur penis and penetrate ur lover?
Does n e 1 know where I can buy Hollistercrombie bags-o-scraps?

Since I am moving to NYC after this summer to go to design school, I have started to read NYC-centric blogs to sort of ‘put my finger on the pulse’ of what real New Yorkers read and see on a daily basis. I couldn’t help but notice this huge Calvin Klein ad with 4 ppl in some sort of ‘orgy.’ It seems hot, and sexual. It reminds me of the feeling of when my ‘penis becomes erect’ while I am wearing jeans. I think that is what ‘advertising’/'marketing’ is all about–”SEX SELLS.”

Seems intense to have a 4some with a 3-to-1 boy-girl ratio. I would hope that I could be the one ‘doing the penetration.’ Then there is the bro who ‘awkwardly walks over and tries to position himself to ‘get a blowjie.’ Then there is ‘extra bro’ who is on the floor ‘tugging off’, hopefully getting his chance to ‘be inside’ of the girl eventually. Have yall ever had 3somes? Is it awkward when 1 of your bros is involved? Have u ever ‘crossed swords’?

Sort of worried about Am Appy’s brand. I read on a design blog that they ‘made an official flag.’ Think that this means that they might secede from America [via Civil War].

Photo via PSFK

Not sure if this flag is ’still sexual.’ Sorta wish it was a picture of a real broad, or something, maybe with her areolas exposed. Not sure if this is the kind of flag that I would want to ‘put on the moon.’ Can’t believe they have an official flag.

What do yall think of these branding choices?
Do yall think that sexual advertisements are bad 4 society?
Do u think it is natural to ‘get aroused’ when u see a sexie ad?
Have u ever ‘made love’ 2 more than 1 person at the same time?
Are Calvin Klein jeans ‘the new skinny jeans’?

Can’t believe Kanye West shops at Am Appy. Not sure if this makes me want to wear it more/less. Not sure if this means that American Apparel is meant for people of all races, or that they are trying to be some sort of upscale blipster brand. Feeling very confused, like I want to burn all of my Am Appy/try to think of new conversion projects.

When I see Kanye looking at Am Appy shirts, it seems like he is saying that he could design them better than Dovathan Charney. It seems like he ‘likes the aesthetic’ but would probably ‘tweak that shit’ to make it more ‘epic’ somehow.

Can’t believe he brought ‘his skank ass girlfriend‘ with him. Wonder if her curvie figure can even fit in2 Am Appy. Feel like I might need to find a new brand. Has any1 heard of Anthropologie / Hollister / Ammy Eagle?

would have guessed that Kanye was ‘above’ generic retail bullshit. Guess he’s just trying to chill. Apparently he bought 2 hoodies & sunglasses. Seems like a sillie purchase, since summer is coming up.

I remember Kanye West had a song on his first album where he talked about being a black dude who worked at the Gap. He rapped about ‘murdering his boss’ and ’smoking blunts at work.’ He was just a disenfranchised black bro, still hungry to ‘transcend society.’ Now that he is ‘famous’ I feel like his content is ‘totally different’, and he just sort of sings about ‘generic hip hop greatness.’

Feels weird that Kanye West used to have a ‘different image.’ Wonder if he was still ‘demented’ back then. Feels weird to ‘look back’ on ‘rappers who we thought were going to be different than every other rapper’, but eventually all ‘hip hop stars’ turn in2 the same thing.

I remember when Kanye’s signature gimmick [via 1st album] was a ‘dejected bear.’

Seems like maybe he was ‘less cultured’ back then, and this was ‘all he could think of.’ Back before he met the Ed Banger crew/ traveled to France / started ‘blogging’ / ‘going 2 fashion shows’ / becoming an ‘artist.’

Can ppl change, or are they always the same?

Meme that we must nvr 4gt
http://www.hipsterrunoff.com/2009/01/blipstaz-or-fggts-new-hro-gimmick.html

Yall. Saw this picture of some bro. Thought he looked a lot like 1 of my favourite DJs…

Hints:

• He is not AZN.
• He wasn’t on That 70’s Show
• He seems like a chill bro
• He invented ‘mashups.’
• His favourite baseball team is the Pittsburgh Phillies.
• He will play ‘crunk-ass’ parties on college campuses for the next 4-30 years.
• He ’stole’ Radiohead’s ‘pay what u want’ model 4 his most recent album
• Ppl who ’still see him’ are usually under the age of 19 / 16 / 8.
• He’s a “P.C.”
• He starred in the film Honey I Shrunk the Kidz, yall!
• He works in a factory that creates ‘Free AOL’ cds.
• Pitchfork gave his latest mixtape a 100 stars
• he has a party picture website that gets 1million hits per day

Who do yall think he is?

Do yall think this mask might work? Do u think the moustache can filter out all of the bad germs?

Or should I actually buy a protective mask from Am Appy? Not sure which colour I want.

screenshot via the Am Appy Store

Can’t believe Am Appy is actually selling protective gear. Feel like I might actually ’start taking the swine flu’ more seriously.

Just want to protect myself without compromising my fashion sense. Might just buy a ‘pakistani scarf’ to cover my mask.

Does n e 1 have any tips for avoiding swine flu?
Does n e 1 know any other signature Am Appy / Urban Outfitters / H&M styles that might help 2 protect me from catching ‘pig fever’ without ‘looking like a poor mainstreamer?

I wonder what it’s like to be older, less connected to what is ‘culturally relevant’ in today’s alternative society, and be able to see women as ‘pieces of meat’ and only judging them ‘based on their bodies’ and ‘how likely they look 2 have sex with u. Wonder what it would be like to see clothing that is ‘obviously Am Appy’, but not really ‘get’ what Am Appy is all about and not be able to identify the brand. Wish I could only identify brands like Nike, Polo, Crombie, the lil Alligator, and Bananny Repubby.

Sort of just wish I could be an old bro, out of town on business. Accidentally stroll into the city’s alternative dive bar, and take part in a wild night filled with altQTs. Want to get ‘fucking hammered’ on ‘$1 well drinks’ and cheap beer. Want to ‘make passes’ at a lot of women, and not really care how creepy I look.

I wish I could reason to myself ‘She’s not that hot, and she’d probably go home with me’, even though she is considered ‘hella hot’ by alternative standards. I want to think that some1 young thinks that I am ‘hella hot’ because I make like $47K/year, and could theoretically ‘buy them anything they wanted’ for a few days.

Might cheat on my wife or something.

Just want to ‘have sex’ and ‘cum’ sometimes.
Makes me feel really human when I have these animalistic urges.
What do yall do when yall are ‘hornie’?

Do yall remember the ‘child predator‘ era of HRO? miss u

‘ugh’. Think that sometimes I assume that everything Kanye West makes is ‘beautiful art’ and don’t realize that he is actually just ‘trying to make money’, or what rappers call ‘hustling.’

Feel manipulated. It’s kinda like when I see a beautiful logo that I would consider getting as a tattoo, but then I realize that it is part of a global brand. Thought I was gonna get this tattoo, but then I realized it belonged to CHILI’s.

(Fortunately, I found out that it is a kick ass restaurant.)

In my digital art class, I actually made a symbol that looked like the ‘Nike Swoosh’ without even ever seeing it. I thought it was beautiful, but then my classmates accused me of ‘ripping off Nike’ and wondering ‘how could u have never seen the Nike logo b4?’

Feel dumb when art = advertising, and I appreciate it too much when it I thought I was just admiring something beautiful.

But I did like the recent Am Appy custom Woody Allen campaign. Feel like it really went viral.

wish websites had ‘billboards.’ Think ‘billboards’ might be the most authentic artistic medium.

Felt sad when I read that famous street graffiti artist Banksy was actually hired by a Coalition of the Eastern world to spread anti-American messages [via internet viral campaign].

Does n e 1 know where I can get an advertising/marketing internship?

Feel like I’m growing up and valuing different things about a woman. Have yall ever made a new wardrobe out of nontraditional items, like ‘wearing duct tape 2 prom’ or something zany like that? Have yall ever made a body-suit from the skin of fat women?

Not sure if I’m even gonna wear Am Appy n e more. Might just start wearing the Am Appy bag. Need to brand myself better with Helvetty + something that showcases my body.

All I want 2 do
is live in 1 of the cities on the Am Appy bag
Settle down
Start a family
Be the person I want 2 be
and grow old without feeling old
Getting more meaningful with each passing day

Kinda sad. Not even sure what I think it ‘hot’ any more.
Might just start looking at ‘a ton of porn’
because it’s good 2 know that some girls ‘just want 2 get pounded’
and only consider themselves’ to be ‘lil fuck holes’

What do u look 4 in a woman?
some1 who looks like Jessica Alba?

What would u do if u were in a no-win situation and ‘needed a good job’?

Might move 2 LA and work at the American Apparel factory.

Pros:

• They will teach me English
• They will give me stock in the company
• They will teach me how to make t-shirts
• Can probably get a lot of free kewl merchandise

Cons:

• My family probs won’t realize that I am wearing Am Appy, and will just think I am a ‘fggt’ wearing ‘bright shit’ that I got for free at work from my employer

Might also work at the Envelope Stuffing Centre at Netflix Inc.

Pros:

• Access to ‘bad ass’ movies: action films for black people, romantic comedies, movies about step teams, and movies about minorities who learn to excel in the classroom
• Won’t have to wait for a day or two for the movies I want
• Probably could take my computer into work and rip movies on to my compy
• Probably get to ‘watch movies’ while I work in Windows Media Player
• Employee Snack Rooms

Cons:

• Could probably just get all of the same movies on youtube/hulu/pirate bay without having 2 stuff envelopes with DVDs

Might also be Chili’s Waiter

Pros:

• People will think that I am a bro working on his Associate’s Degree at a local community college for up to 8 years
• Will get to learn how to cook some bad ass party foods
• Get to interact with ‘hot, mildly thick’ desperate broads

Cons:

• 40 lb weight gain and getting into a relationship with a fellow employee who is as sad as u, then living in a local apartment with him/her, then building ur whole social life around ur Chili’s franchise co-workers.  Also getting tempted 2 work for TGIFriday’s/Applebee’s.

Might just settle for McDonalds bro.

Pros:

• Free meals
• Free McGriddles
• Free Hot Cakes
• Free Sundaes
• Free bluetooth headset
• Get to ‘poop in the ball pit’
• Getting 2 interact with children 4 birthday parties

Cons:

• Having 2 work in the mornings 2 eat McDonalds breakfast.

I feel lucky 2 b me. Glad that I got to go to design school and live out my dreams working for an advertising firm behind some of the world’s most recognized viral marketing campaigns and strategically created memes.  

However, not every1 has it as lucky as me.

Previous post about authentic careers.
http://www.hipsterrunoff.com/2008/10/what-is-the-most-authentic-alt-job.html

Where would u work if u were ‘poor’ and ‘trapped in ur life’?  What would ur ‘career goals be’ besides ‘putting food on the dinner table’?