Nickname: csrollyson

Review: Patty Seybold describes how Muji encourages customers to design products in a case study in her new book, Outside Innovation. I think this strengthens customer experience in a "community" human way that resonates. I agree with other readers that it's inhuman to be a tabula rasa whose only value is the logos s/he configures that day.

Date reviewed: Feb 1, 2007 7:56 PM

Nickname: val@night

Review: Hi Pallavi! I belong to the Muji club (or Muji wannbe: I would love for my house to resemble a Muji store, but can't afford it ...yet) And I disagree when you say they haven't "been able to escape being identifiable brands". They meant to be different, and HAVE SUCCEEDED. Definitely different: the product and the design is star, and that's what is changing. Plus it all works together as you mentioned: the whole store looks nice together, if you lose one item into the clutter of your house (welll at least mine is cluttered) then it doesn't look as good... when I buy a muji item , and I suspect same goes about American Apparel, it's making a statement about who I am (wannabe), what I value, and I wishthink my belongings could be so perfect

Date reviewed: Sep 20, 2005 5:40 PM

Nickname: et

Review: There are two main reasons I dislike visible logos: 1) I don't want to be a walking "billboard" or in effect an unpaid advertiser. 2) Everyone knows that when you add in the cost of the unnecessary logo, the price goes up. The designer profits and you lose.

Date reviewed: Sep 12, 2005 5:48 PM

Nickname: angelie

Review: I recall one dress-down Friday when I came into the office only to be greeted by a co-worker plastered from head to toe in visible brands. From her Gucci glasses to her A|X T-shirt to her Versace jeans and CK belt to her fancy sandals--she was a brand explosion! It sort of loses the sense of independence; of being unique and not having to rely on visible brands to make one feel like they look good. Instead of being impressed, I felt a pang of pity for her. If people are that dependent on the media and magazines and are not able to be confident with themselves, naked and brand-free, think about what a dismal life that would be. One must always chase the next new brand or fad--spending countless hours and dollars on this. I admire those who can just roll out of bed and slap on that old pair of jeans and white T-shirt. That, my friends, is confidence. They rely on nothing else but the ideas in their head and the words that come out of their mouth to impress others. I am impressed.

Date reviewed: Aug 19, 2005 5:21 PM

Nickname: Dave

Review: I love American Apparel's clothing. Certainly the lack of branding makes their products attractive but, more importantly, are the clean lines and soft fabrics. American Apparel has a minimalist sexy look that corresponds to their marketing--wearing their clothes allows you to have a "look" without having to feel like a gaudy advertisement. The no-logo thing is a breath of fresh air, but style and quality are still important. I think Muji demonstrates the same aesthetic as well and this more than anything explains the success of both brands.

Date reviewed: Aug 18, 2005 4:22 AM

Nickname: Marty

Review: As Vice President of Operations at American Apparel, I would like to clarify that currently, we support 35 American Apparel retail stores in the U.S.,(New York, Boston, Chicago, Baltimore, Miami Beach, Denver, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle; and 28 stores outside the U.S. (Canada, Mexico, England, Germany, France, and Switzerland). Too, we have another 40 store buildouts in the pipeline (worldwide)that we plan to open before the end of 2005.

Date reviewed: Aug 17, 2005 6:07 PM

Nickname: Owen

Review: There is a movement among sneaker freaks for de-branded designs--old Skool Nikes and Pumas, etc. with the logos removed. Specialty shops in New York, Paris, London, and such carry these custom made, often one-off designs that allow the style to show in a pure light, unmediated (or tarnished) by brand affiliation. It lets fashion belong to the wearer, not the corporation. Right on.

Date reviewed: Aug 13, 2005 1:37 AM

Nickname: sylph7

Review: Speaking from my own preference in clothing, less is more. I enjoy a classic look in clothing without the built in billboards. I believe the style and quality should sell, as opposed to the name itself. It was only a matter of time before this became the way to go.

Date reviewed: Aug 12, 2005 5:20 PM

Nickname: Gary

Review: I don't know about the rest of the country, but go to any Black community here and everyone's wearing a plain white T-shirt. I'm even starting to wear a plain white dress shirt to the office these days. I don't know how others feel, but I like the basic simplicity and the sense of a return to the days when marketing and advertising didn't intrude on life as much as it does today.

Date reviewed: Aug 12, 2005 3:26 PM

Nickname: Tardo

Review: I've actually never heard of these brands, until I read this article. I have to say, I love the idea of no logos. I'm sick of paying for cheaply made, over-priced clothes simply because they have a stupid logo on them. I could care less what other people think about my clothes or the appearance of a logo. Thank you Muji and American Apparel. Oh yeah, sweatshops suck too.

Date reviewed: Aug 11, 2005 10:12 PM