Forever 21 is an American chain of fashion retailers with its headquarters in Los Angeles and sales of $3.7 billion in 2013. Forever 21 began as a 900 square foot store in Los Angeles in 1984, and has grown to sell their clothing lines Forever 21, XXI Forever, Love 21, and Heritage in over 600 stores in the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, and the UK. More than 60% of its apparel is manufactured in China and the average store size is 38,000 square feet. According to Adrienne Tennant, an analyst at Wedbush Morgan Securities, and Andrea Chang of the Los Angeles Times, Forever 21 is known for its trendy offerings and its economical pricing. The company sells clothing, accessories, and beauty products for women, men, and girls. The company has been involved in various controversies, ranging from labor practice issues and copyright infraction accusations to religion.
Forever 21 founders Do “Don” Won Chang (Hangul: 장도원) and his wife Jin Sook Chang (Hangul: 장진숙) emigrated from South Korea to the United States in 1981. The luxurious cars of those in the retail industry influenced Don to enter the garment industry and so Fashion 21, later renamed Forever 21, was established. Don is the Chief Executive Officer and Jin Sook the Chief Merchandising Officer, with a combined net worth of $5 billion. As of September 2013, the couple ranked 264 in Forbes’ World’s Billionaires list and 90 amongst America’s wealthiest. Their two daughters joined the business in 2009, Linda leading the Marketing department and Esther in charge of visuals.
Never thought it would be me
Living in a shattered dream
How could this be the end for me?
What I wouldn't give to have
A life to live, a day to plan
Instead I'll be forever seventeen
Could have lived out every dream
I could have been most anything
Can someone wake me up?
I haven't lived yet
I'm only seventeen
God, did you forget?
I'm just a baby
And I don't wanna be
Forever seventeen
I'll never have a bed to make
A test to take, a summer day
I'll always be forever seventeen
I could have had a family
If things had worked out differently
Instead I'll be forever seventeen
Could I have just one more day
A chance to learn from my mistakes
Can someone wake me up?
I haven't lived yet
I'm only seventeen
God, did you forget?
I'm just a baby
And I don't wanna be
Forever seventeen
In a matter of a moment
Life fell before my eyes
And now I'm looking at the meaning of
The miracle of life
Where are we going without even knowing
The answers deep inside
Forever seventeen
So don't give up
You haven't lived yet
You're only seventeen
And God did not forget