AA is getting ripped off left, right and centre.

Most of us unanimously agree that fashions are formed on the streets, not the catwalks.
Scrolling through images from a new season of collections will usually produce a few "hey!" moments, when you notice designers channeling a look that has long been a cult hit, rattling around on the streets.

“Bodysuits” have hit the shelves along with the new fall ranges at topshop and asos that seem rather familiar, and they smell a little like American Apparel too.

Now, I’m not claiming that AA invented the leotard, but as a company known for it’s speciality in basics and dance-style designs it all seems a little too good coincidental to be true.

Two tone bodycon dresses and tee shirts are also making an appearance in the current H and M stock. As a loyal customer of the native Los Angeles brand, I feel a little peeved, mostly because it’s a brand that I love buying from (genius design aside) because I know that the pieces are produced ethically, where workers are paid decent wages and offered plenty of perks in return from the company, including bonuses, and a chance to share American Apparel’s growing profits.

[click here for more on how AA's treats it's workers, an interesting read.]

So when Topshop and H and M amble over, after a piece of the action, with their cheaper prices and questionable means of production, and offer customers cheaper prices than American Apparel, I find myself groaning with frustration.

On the one hand, I tell myself, that it is all about business, and Topshop in particular is always on top of the fashion curve, and this is simply what they’re doing; keeping up and coming up with designs that are in demand. But, is anyone else groaning a childlike “but it’s not fairrr” with images of sweatshops in god-knows-where city drumming out thinning pocket dresses and leotards for a couple of pence a day?

I know, I have mixed a couple of issues for this thought, and I have the tendency to get a little emotional (not boo-hoo, just stressed..) about how the clothes on our high street are made, but it seems relevant in this case, as American Apparel is, unusually, out and proud and sweatshop free.