Abercrombie & Fitch Profile

Please keep in mind that the opinions here are just that, opinions, whether they are written by the members of Global Amen, or others, please use your own judgment when reading them.

A&F es MUY Malo
Abercrombie and Fitch is a company which I despise. Some people (usually teenagers) "hate" the company because they feel the clothes are "too preppy," or that people who wear the clothes lack originality. These reasons are not why I have a strong negative opinion about A&F. It is sad that in some areas students feel pressured to wear A&F clothing or be considered an outcast, but this only skims the surface of the real issues. Many companies use sex to sell their product, but I don't think I've ever seen a company that uses it as much or as blatantly as Abercrombie does. Their ads, which target teens and college students encourage an immoral lifestyle. Their newest catalog (A&F Quarterly ) boasts a plain blue cover with these words printed across the front "A&F XXX Adventure: Get Wet Set & Go On Spring Break." (check out their website, and you'll see what I mean) I don't know about you, but that sure isn't a motto that I would encourage any student to live by, and it's certainly not something that should be appearing on the cover (or anywhere inside for that matter) of a catalog which children can purchase at a store. The company claims that you have to show identification proving that you are 18+ before you can purchase the catalog, but this is rarely enforced in reality. I recently went into an Abercrombie store and saw a picture of a girl between two young men. She had her face uplifted, and one man had his mouth open against her chin, while the other rested his head against hers and touched her hair. All three had their eyes shut.The picture enraged me. Is that what love is about? No! But that's what Abercrombie and Fitch is saying with its advertising, and that's what you're buying into if you purchase something from their company.
-Carissa Thomas (webmaster of Global Amen) 2-23-01

Original Correspondence (dividers indicate change in writer)

Added Comments

"Carissa Thomas" <[email protected]> on 04/02/2001 07:03:53 PM
To: [email protected]
cc:
Subject: Information

To whom it may concern;

I have recently come to a realization of how important it is to be a responsible shopper. Before I purchase any more items of clothing, I have decided to thoroughly research the garment industry. I would be extremely grateful if Abercrombie & Fitch would supply me with the following information:

1. A complete list of the suppliers/countries from which A&F purchases its garments, as well as the sweatshop monitoring agency used to monitor the condition of each.

2. Origin of merino wool, silk and leather items used in the garments.

3. Percentage of recycled paper used in the catalog.

4. Charities to which A&F donates.

5. What the company does with slightly damaged clothing when it is returned by a customer.

6. A list of lawsuits the company has been involved in (if any).

7. List of the fleets/airlines used to transport A&F goods.

8. List of modelling agencies from which the A&F models come.

9. Name(s) of person(s)/group(s)/company(ies) in charge of advertising.

Thank you for your time!
:) Carissa Thomas

From: [email protected]
To: "Carissa Thomas" <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Information
Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2001 14:22:12 -0400

Carissa-

Thanks for writing!

At Abercrombie & Fitch, we take matters such as those expressed in your recent correspondence seriously. We require that our associates, our vendors and our suppliers strictly comply with our business policies and all applicable laws and regulations, including those of the United States, as well as countries where our goods are made and exported.

Abercrombie & Fitch is dedicated to full and complete compliance with our business policies and all laws and regulations applicable to the conduct of its business. We expect those with whom we do business to do the same.

We appreciate you interest in our company and your concern about this issue.

"Carissa Thomas" <[email protected]> on 04/03/2001 03:45:12 PM
To: [email protected]
cc:
Subject: Re: Information

I appreciate the timely reply, but actually the information I am requesting is as follows:

1. A complete list of the suppliers/countries from which A&F purchases its garments, as well as the sweatshop monitoring agency used to monitor the condition of each.

2. Origin of merino wool, silk and leather items used in the garments.

3. Percentage of recycled paper used in the catalog.

4. Charities to which A&F donates.

5. What the company does with slightly damaged clothing when it is
returned by a customer.

6. A list of lawsuits the company has been involved in (if any).

7. List of the fleets/airlines used to transport A&F goods.

8. List of modelling agencies from which the A&F models come.

9. Name(s) of person(s)/group(s)/company(ies) in charge of advertising.

Sincerely,
Carissa Thomas

From: [email protected]
To: "Carissa Thomas" <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Information
Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2001 15:46:42 -0400

Sorry, but the specific info you are requesting is proprietary and cannot
be shared with the public. Other info can be found at www.abercrombie.com,
at A&F info.
_______

"Carissa Thomas" <[email protected]> on 04/03/2001 04:34:32 PM
To: [email protected]
cc:
Subject: Re: Information

Is there a particular reason that this information will not be shared with Abercrombie's customers? If so, could you please elaborate?

Thanks!
Carissa

From: <[email protected]>
To: "Carissa Thomas" <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2001 1:33 PM
Subject: Re: Information

Hey Carissa,
This info is shared among A&F associates and that's it. Info available to the public can be accessed on our website.
________

I understand. What I am asking however, is why this is so.

   No Reply

Hi,

   I'm guessing you probably didn't receive my last message. Hotmail acts up a lot =) Anyway, what I was wondering was why none of the info I requested on A&F will be given to the public. I understand it's only available to the associates, I just wanted to know why.

    Thanks!!
        Carissa

   No Reply

Hi,

   I'm guessing you probably didn't receive my last message. Hotmail acts up a lot =) Anyway, what I was wondering was why none of the info I requested on A&F will be given to the public. I understand it's only available to the associates, I just wanted to know why.

    Thanks!!
        Carissa
To be continued. . . .

I spelled "modeling" wrong here. =) oops

The name of the individual I was in contact with has been omitted from all messages.

This is simply to protect the privacy of the individual.

Here I received no reply so kept trying. . .

This isn't a mistake . . . I sent the same message twice since I didn't hear back.