Abercrombie and Fitch controversy. Only "wants to market to cool, good-looking people.”

Contributor: Mr. John Mr. John
The controversy stems from a 2006 SALON magazine interview with the CEO of Abercrombie and Fitch, which has just recently surfaced. In this interview, Jeffries (CEO) says that his brand is "absolutely" "exclusionary", and only "wants to market to cool, good-looking people." That he doesn't want "fat", or "not so cool" kids wearing his company's clothes.

I for one, will never be shopping at Abercrombie and Fitch again. I think it's appalling. Does anyone else have any thoughts on this article that they may wish to share?
05/22/2013
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Contributor: Woman China Woman China
I think that is what the CEO wants, then that is what he should do.

Now, I think if this is true, the man is an idiot and I wonder how would he control the cool kids not wearing his company's line?

As for shopping there, I am not a kid, so thankfully, this does not matter to me!
05/22/2013
Contributor: PeaceToTheMiddleEast PeaceToTheMiddleEast
I always looked but never shopped there. I am glad I did not because I think this dude is a douche bag. Everything he said is discriminate towards heavy set people. He will not get a penny from me.
05/22/2013
Contributor: Chilipepper Chilipepper
I never found the stuff appealing enough to buy to begin with, even if I was the size that could wear it. Besides, I don't see the merit of clothing whose gimmick is to slap their logo on it.

Besides, he's botox'ed within a inch of his life. I'm doubting he ever got to hang with his target demographic when he was that age. He's obviously living vicariously through his clothing line.
05/22/2013
Contributor: PeaceToTheMiddleEast PeaceToTheMiddleEast
Quote:
Originally posted by Chilipepper
I never found the stuff appealing enough to buy to begin with, even if I was the size that could wear it. Besides, I don't see the merit of clothing whose gimmick is to slap their logo on it.

Besides, he's botox'ed within a inch of ... more
He looks a hot mess and has no right to talk. They said he never fit in and from his pics I can see why.
05/22/2013
Contributor: Pierced Blaqk Skies Pierced Blaqk Skies
Quote:
Originally posted by Chilipepper
I never found the stuff appealing enough to buy to begin with, even if I was the size that could wear it. Besides, I don't see the merit of clothing whose gimmick is to slap their logo on it.

Besides, he's botox'ed within a inch of ... more
This kind of sums up how I feel. I think brand name things are kind of ridiculous anyway but clothing lines seem to be the worst. I'm a body positive advocate and this really grinds my gears.
05/22/2013
Contributor: Noelle Noelle
Quote:
Originally posted by Mr. John
The controversy stems from a 2006 SALON magazine interview with the CEO of Abercrombie and Fitch, which has just recently surfaced. In this interview, Jeffries (CEO) says that his brand is "absolutely" "exclusionary", and only ... more
I think they just sealed their own fate. Wouldn't be surprised if they are out of business in the next year or so. IDIOTS!!!
05/22/2013
Contributor: marmouse marmouse
I wouldn't buy from them in the first place... But that does not help it's true.
05/22/2013
Contributor: gsfanatic gsfanatic
Heh, wouldn't buy there in the first place, but this kind of confirms it for me. Besides, I don't fit the profile
05/22/2013
Contributor: js250 js250
Thank goodness for his employees--beauty and coolness is in the eye of the beholder.

(No, I don't even have a store near me so obviously do not shop there...)If people are so shallow they follow a herd, let them run off the cliff with them. It is a gimmick that may work with some of the people but everyone has their own taste and affordability issues, so they will end up with another target...same old, same old.
05/23/2013
Contributor: UnknownGirl UnknownGirl
I don't know why this comes as a shock to anybody. It very apparent how image conscious they are. I mean, all one has to do is enter an A+F to see that all of their models are beautiful, non-average looking people. And how many black or Asian folks have you ever seen working there? Probably very few.
05/23/2013
Contributor: K101 K101
Quote:
Originally posted by Mr. John
The controversy stems from a 2006 SALON magazine interview with the CEO of Abercrombie and Fitch, which has just recently surfaced. In this interview, Jeffries (CEO) says that his brand is "absolutely" "exclusionary", and only ... more
I have been boycotting A&F for years now due to their ways. And I will continue to do so with a smile on my face. Who needs clothing that magically gets holes in it after two washes anyways?! I'm not even exaggerating either. This has happened to every last shirt I have from there. Hollister is just as bad too. They carry larger sizes, but still. Aren't they owned by the same people or whatever? Ugh. I recently quit going there too, a year ago.

I too think it's appalling. More like disgusting and really stupid, what A&F does. I have no use for a company like that or their product. It's not okay to send such a message that only tee-tiny people are "good enough" to wear their clothing (that isn't quality anyways!)

I choose not to condone their behavior by not wearing their clothing or shopping there. If the CEO doesn't have any more brains than that -- brains that think size is everything in the world &forgets what real life and real life issues are even all about -- then perhaps he needs a reality check, not just on weight. Recently, a girl my mom works with was upset about A&F and them not carrying her size. My mom told her that was why I boycotted them. She said "but they DO carry her size!" And my mom said, "but they DON'T carry yours." And that's how I feel. If everyone is not accepted, then neither do I want to be.

It pisses me off that they seem to almost want to target people who are over a size 2 & make them not only feel excluded ,but badly about themselves. Nobody should have to feel any worse about themselves. I mean, it's hard enough on people. Why make it worse? I feel like the CEO and whoever else supports that stupid idea of their clothing only being "good enough" for those who can fit it have lost touch with reality. Everytime I see articles about it, I keep thinking to myself "is size seriously the ONLY thing you people know or think about?" Nothing else in the entire world is of any importance? Seriously!? Talk about sad. There is so much in this world that A&F could be doing. Hell, they're big enough that they could be making an impression on people in a good way, but they choose to be hurtful to people. That does not make sense to me. It's like using your powers for bad when you have the opportunity to use them for good. Think of how much body acceptance they could be doing.

If they dislike a certain size, fine. That is not my problem. If the A&F CEO and whoever else are strongly against being over a size 2 or whatever, fine. That's their own ideas and issues and desires or what ever. I have goals for my own self too, but I am not trashing everybody else or trying to make everyone else feel badly for not being what I want. And that brings me to this: why do people want others to be something such as a certain weight? What the HELL does it matter to them? People are not A&F CEO's pretty little objects to look at and approve of. I mean, we are freaking humans. We aren't some shiny object that should always be looking a certain way to please others. That's what the message seems to be -- that they want us to be what they like to look at. Did they forget we aren't things that are only for looks? That we are people who happen to have more to us than looks. I know, everyone says "people are more than just looks, etc." But seriously here! This is what to me, it feels like they're saying "be what we like to look at or else we'll make you feel less than, not good enough."

Like A&F is anything special anyways & IMO, each person should focus on themselves and only themselves when it comes to this type of thing. Look in the mirror and "fix" what you want, but don't go trying to "fix" everyone else for things they may not even see as wrong (and likely they shouldn't because it's NOT wrong.) A&F are sending the message that no matter what else, as long as you're a size 2-3 and below, you'll be good and pretty. Because the size of us is what will determine whether or not we live a happy, fulfilling, healthy life? WTH?! No.

Okay. Rant is over. Lol.
05/23/2013
Contributor: KrissyNovacaine KrissyNovacaine
Quote:
Originally posted by Chilipepper
I never found the stuff appealing enough to buy to begin with, even if I was the size that could wear it. Besides, I don't see the merit of clothing whose gimmick is to slap their logo on it.

Besides, he's botox'ed within a inch of ... more
*snicker* good point!
05/23/2013
Contributor: Pete's Princess Pete's Princess
Many stores are marketing that way, he was just stupid enough to tell a reporter. Let's face it when the store only sells small sizes, who do you think they are marketing to? It sure isn't the heavy kids.
05/23/2013
Contributor: Zombirella Zombirella
I'd rather be my chubby self than look like that ugly asshole. I can lose weight but you can't fix ugly! I don't know what makes him think he's so above other people, he's no model. And as far as hiring only good looking people, that's hilarious because I've seen some "butter face" chicks (everything looks nice but her face) and some homely guys working at the Hollister and A&F near me.
05/23/2013
Contributor: Zombirella Zombirella
Quote:
Originally posted by Chilipepper
I never found the stuff appealing enough to buy to begin with, even if I was the size that could wear it. Besides, I don't see the merit of clothing whose gimmick is to slap their logo on it.

Besides, he's botox'ed within a inch of ... more
YES! I so agree.
05/23/2013
Contributor: Zombirella Zombirella
Quote:
Originally posted by Noelle
I think they just sealed their own fate. Wouldn't be surprised if they are out of business in the next year or so. IDIOTS!!!
Oh they won't, I bet on it. There's too many shallow people that shop there and support his feelings.
05/23/2013
Contributor: Zombirella Zombirella
Awesome video
link
05/23/2013
Contributor: eri86 eri86
Wasn't a huge fan even before this came about. The clothes aren't that special, or even all that different from other places.

Sure, there are 'brands' I like, but that's because they have certain things, like jeans, that work well on me. I don't buy clothing because it's a certain brand.
05/23/2013
Contributor: sunflower sunflower
If you're over 15 years old why are you even shopping at Abercrombie anyway? Lol.

The guy is nuts..... and good looking people, really? Have you seen his fucked up facelift?
Here is an article about the manual he had for employees on his private jets. The guy is crazy! My favorite part is when he required them to play Take Me Home by Phil Collins on liftoff and how everything is so weirdly specific. He is like Van Halen with the brown M&Ms but 1000x more ridiculous.
05/23/2013
Contributor: joolie joolie
A & F has been on my s***list for quite a while.. My kids were done with them four years ago. I sure everyone remembers the thongs for little girls scandal.
In any case, the CEO creeps me out. His lips look like bologna, his hair is destroyed,really nothing about him is natural. He was never part of the demographic group that he wants to shop at his store.
05/23/2013
Contributor: Ansley Ansley
It's their company, they can do and/or market to whomever they choose.
05/23/2013
Contributor: KinkyKatieJames KinkyKatieJames
Personally, I think it sucks. However, it's his company, so who am I to stop him from doing what he wants? If he wants to be an exclusionary tool, then that's his prerogative.

I shopped there in high school and then realizes there was nothing special about their clothing. With his attitude, I would never ever consider going there again.
05/23/2013
Contributor: Mr. John Mr. John
Quote:
Originally posted by K101
I have been boycotting A&F for years now due to their ways. And I will continue to do so with a smile on my face. Who needs clothing that magically gets holes in it after two washes anyways?! I'm not even exaggerating either. This has ... more
Dear kendra30752,

Your post here was simply outstanding. I thoroughly enjoyed reading every last bit of it.

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.
05/23/2013
Contributor: Nezzie13 Nezzie13
I've been giving them the side-eye for years; their hiring policies are sketchy and I've always thought it a bit foolish to pay extra so that I can be a walking advertisement. This doesn't surprise me in the slightest, they say as much with the clothes they sell. "Oh, hello buxom women, would you like your breasts to breathe? Not in our tops!" And don't get me started on the way wider hips are completely ignored in the design of those jeans
05/23/2013
Contributor: alliegator alliegator
I never fit in their clothes well before, so I've never really shopped there.
05/23/2013