"American Apparel's resonant brand appeal stems largely from a unique business model and deft marketing strategy fashioned by the energetic, voluble and controversial Dov Charney," writes David Lipke. But now, two lawsuits filed late last year by ex-employees add financial malfeasance to charges of sexual misconduct against Charney alleged in a series of earlier suits. None of the cases have ever reached a final verdict, and Charney "vigorously" maintains his innocence.

Michael Jordan and designer Jason Mayden unveiled theAir Jordan 2009 yesterday -- an athletic shoe that was three years in the making and claims automobile technology, the sport of fencing and art as part of its heritage. A "zone air bag," for example, acts as a cushion in the toe box. And each shoe has a unique swirl pattern at the base of the midsole. A limited-release model, available on Jan. 31, costs $230 a pair; the regular retail price will be $190. Bradley Carbone interviews the shoe's designer, Jason Mayden, on Marc Echo's Complex.com Web site. Mayden, …

While poking around the Complex.com site, I spotted a blog item about a new model of Chuck Taylor's Converse All Stars. It reminded me of the '60s, when I'd walk two miles to an Army and Navy store on Fordham Road in the Bronx to snare a pair of Cons for $14 -- two dollars cheaper than the going rate (trudging in the driving snow, uphill both ways, with nary an iPod or cell phone to accompany me). The 1HUND(RED) Tokyo Police Club sneakers cost $89.99, with 10% of the wholesale proceeds going to The Global Fund To Fight …

Also while you're on Complex.com, check out the video on the "Welcome to Mark Echo Enterprises" page, which lays out the designer's business empire in compelling, fast-paced clips. Then there's the rag trade-to-riches story from New York Enterprise Report magazine you can download ("Marc Ecko started selling airbrushed t-shirts out of the trunk of his car at age 20"). All kidding aside, Complex.com is custom "publishing" at the cutting edge.

Palm executive chairman Jon Rubinstein introduced the company's much-anticipated new phone -- called the Pre and featuring new "webOS" software -- at a press event at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas yesterday. He didn't say how much the device would cost (it will be priced "competitively") or exactly when it would roll out (sometime "before July"), Troy Wolverton reports. Among its features is a touch-screen like the iPhone's, including the ability to pinch to zoom in or out, or to flick to scroll. It's shorter than the iPhone, though, and includes a physical keyboard that slides …

BMW is unveiling a sensor system this weekend that will allow emergency responders to quickly assess the likelihood of severe injuries in a crash, Chris Woodyard reports. "Sensors in all 2009 BMWs except the M3 now can assess car damage and other factors, data that experts say can be crucial to letting arriving firefighters and paramedics know what to expect and where they should be prepared to take the injured," Woodyard writes. Ford CEO Alan Mulally, meanwhile, told attendees of the Consumer Electronics Show that his company intends to be in the forefront of the digitization of the automobile, Bryce …