Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Explains Why He Hates Fat Chicks

[JaneSmith]

I read that article, he makes me sick. And its not like he is a prize himself ( see real pic of him below)! I hate A&F, always have. I am not even sure how they are still in business.

One more facelift and he'll have a lovely beard of short-and-curlies!

 

[Laila619]

Oh and here's the sexy cool-looking A&F CEO passing judgement on the fat chicks.

Um YUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCk who in the world does he think he is to be passing any judgement?!?!? He made me think of the icky guy in the princess bride....

Yeah, no kidding!

 

[ame]

I read that article, he makes me sick. And its not like he is a prize himself ( see real pic of him below)! I hate A&F, always have. I am not even sure how they are still in business.

One more facelift and he'll have a lovely beard of short-and-curlies!

I just laughed out loud so hard my neighbor outside working in his yard was startled.

 

[sonnyjane]

Aside from this guy's jerky delivery of his message, I was wondering what you guys thought about places such as Lane Bryant? I posted the A&F story on my Facebook and one of my friends pointed out to me that Lane Bryant specifically targets full-figured women, only selling size 12 and up. So is it just that we don't like his messaging and not necessarily his idea that he only sells to certain consumers?

 

[tammy77]

The big difference between Lane Bryant and A&F that I see is that LB caters to plus size women, much like children's clothing stores. They aren't marketing to specific sizes to "only attract beautiful people".

Also, this size 18 mom sure as heck isn't going to be buying my size 2 daughter ANYTHING at this store!

 

[ame]

Aside from this guy's jerky delivery of his message, I was wondering what you guys thought about places such as Lane Bryant? I posted the A&F story on my Facebook and one of my friends pointed out to me that Lane Bryant specifically targets full-figured women, only selling size 12 and up. So is it just that we don't like his messaging and not necessarily his idea that he only sells to certain consumers?

Not even the same thing at all. Lane Bryant and other full figure specific stores cater to women who cannot find stylish (or any) clothing in their sizes in straight sized stores. It is filling a need that other companies, like A&F, completely ignore. Further, their CEO hasn't come out with a mandate that their store caters only to full figured people and that thin people are disgusting and unwelcome like this toolbox.

 

[sonnyjane]

Aside from this guy's jerky delivery of his message, I was wondering what you guys thought about places such as Lane Bryant? I posted the A&F story on my Facebook and one of my friends pointed out to me that Lane Bryant specifically targets full-figured women, only selling size 12 and up. So is it just that we don't like his messaging and not necessarily his idea that he only sells to certain consumers?

Not even the same thing at all. Lane Bryant and other full figure specific stores cater to women who cannot find stylish (or any) clothing in their sizes in straight sized stores. It is filling a need that other companies, like A&F, completely ignore. Further, their CEO hasn't come out with a mandate that their store caters only to full figured people and that thin people are disgusting and unwelcome like this toolbox.

Yeah I completely agree that this CEO is a toolbag, it did just make me think that there ARE stores for "big and tall" men, there are stores or full-figured women, so not selling larger sizes isn't really the issue, it's blatantly saying that you don't want certain people to wear your clothes and THAT'S why you don't offer those sizes that's crummy.

 

[davi_el_mejor]

.

 

[Enerchi]

.

Davi!!! You *nailed* it!! that's perfect!!!!

 

[Madam Bijoux]

Someone who looks like Gary Busey on his worst day has no business being comtemptuous of anyone.

 

[lovebug1031]

Ladies that picture isn't really him. Its Biff from one of the Back To The Future movies

That aside, I think this is disgusting. Wasn't there also an expensive designer who refuses to dress larger ladies too? Karl Lagerfield is ringing bells. Its a very stupid & irresponsible thing to say anyway. My nieces here in the UK are obsessed with the A&F label & drag their parents to the shop in Manchester. And you'd think they'd been given a box of diamonds from the way they react when they have something new from there, squealing & jumping around. And why? Because the cool children at school all wear this brand & so now they will be more accepted

yah, but he doesn't look much better!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Jeffries_(CEO)

 

[partgypsy]

Things must be pretty bad off when I'm nostalgic for my high school days. the most we got regarding labeling was wearing polos with yes little polo players on them or more usually a little lizard (alligator), and for a brief period of time having a member's only jacket (while holding onto your trapper keeper). My husband wearing Chucks.

I really feel sorry for the crap that young people have to deal with, and that grown adults are trying to profit and exploit kid's insecurities during one preteen and teen years like this, particularly how they are trying to associate it with a) being skinny, and b) sex.

Eventually kids grow up, and realize all these status symbols are just that, and find their own identity apart from what they buy. But this guy is so shameless and sleazy about it, maybe teens will realize this a little quicker than usual. Teens hate "fake" and it seems like this is happening already to them.

http://seekingalpha.com/article/809191-abercrombie-fitch-management-discusses-q2-2013-results-earnings-call-transcript

 

[partgypsy]

.

Davi!!! You *nailed* it!! that's perfect!!!!

Hilarious! I thought I recognized those eyes somewhere

 

[partgypsy]

http://seekingalpha.com/article/809191-abercrombie-fitch-management-discusses-q2-2013-results-earnings-call-transcript

 

[iLander]

I used to buy his T-shirts (in large, because I don't like a clingy shirt) because I thought they were cute.

Now I won't. I won't buy anything from Abecrappie and F#@ks ever again.

He can bite my size 6 a$@!

 

[rainwood]

Oh and here's the sexy cool-looking A&F CEO passing judgement on the fat chicks.

Well at least in this picture he's staying true to his belief and wearing Adidas rather than A&F

That's a good one, Matata!

 

[Enerchi]

I used to buy his T-shirts (in large, because I don't like a clingy shirt) because I thought they were cute.

Now I won't. I won't buy anything from Abecrappie and F#@ks ever again.

He can bite my size 6 a$@!

you go girl!! I'm with ya iLander --- but I do not fit the profile of who A&F want... my DD does and even now, she's losing interest in their crap .. um.. I meant 'items'!

 

[FrekeChild]

This is awesome.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/...ch-homeless-brand-readjustment_n_3272498.html

 

[kenny]

FrekeChild that's awesome!

 

[kenny]

I wonder if I might start a trend that could be even more extreme and insulting than homeless folks ... ugly and fat old folks, LIKE ME, in A&F duds.

I could get a tiny A&F tank top, prompt some mechanical failure of the seams with a razor blade and squeeze my beer guy into it, with my moobs and rolls bulging out.
Maybe I could grease my lower body with lard to squeeze into some of their low-cut jeans so my fat @ss bulges out the top.

Then I'll hang out in front of the local A&F store in the mall and just stare slovenly into an iPhone that I'll buy for the occasions (but return it within 10-days to get my money back).

My SO will be nearby filming as the panicking A&F bimbos try to get rid of my fat @ss so teens with two brain cells are not scared away.
We'll post it on Youtube and Facebook and twitter.
Ugly fat old people will flock to A&F stores coast to coast to help drive the nail into this jerk's coffin.

 

[AGBF]

This is awesome.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/...ch-homeless-brand-readjustment_n_3272498.html

Cute video. My daughter used to wear almost exclusively Abercrombie & Fitch clothing when she was younger. I only wish that there was some left over for me to donate to the homeless! She moved on to other types of clothing. I feel lucky I haven't been inside one of the Abercrombie or Hollister or Abercrombie Kids stores in years now! My kid was really into those clothes. She was even telling me about a store that was higher priced (Ruhl One* or some such name) that was owned by the same people and wishing these was one near us in Virginia when we lived there!

Yes, some of us have enlightened children...and some of us have the dummies.

Deb


*Here is a link to The Urban Dictionary...http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=ruehl

 

[monarch64]

Deb, aww, your daughter...are things going better for her these days? Sorry if I'm touching on a sore spot here, but I've followed your stories for a fair amount of years now and am just curious. Btw, it was so sweet of you to offer cake to a new poster on another thread! You're just a sweetheart.

Re: this A&F thing: again, I am questioning why this 2006 article is being brought up again. Has someone in Jeffries' ranks finally aged out and is no longer under some sort of contract, so did a tell-all? What gives? Why is ancient information going around like it's brand-new again?

The backlash so far...is cute, but kind of weak. Of course HuffPo is going to seize the one little video that some kid in search of his 15 minutes made. And of course a blond, plus size gal who is oh so brave to post her pic on FB is going to get some attention. But where are the actual news stories? Or doesn't anyone but us care? I have to wonder: do the majority of PSr's kind of feel the same as Jeffries about A&F? I loved Annette's description of what the company USED to be, mainly because I've worked for an outdoor/adventure outfitter (indie) for over 2 years now and we don't stock a lot of XL or XXL for either men OR women. We just don't sell enough of those sizes to cater to people who need them. It's more of a business interest than an image thing. I mean, do you know a lot of people who are scaling mountains who are a size 44 waist or size 18-20?

 

[iLander]

I wonder if I might start a trend that could be even more extreme and insulting than homeless folks ... ugly and fat old folks, LIKE ME, in A&F duds.

I could get a tiny A&F tank top, prompt some mechanical failure of the seams with a razor blade and squeeze my beer guy into it, with my moobs and rolls bulging out.
Maybe I could grease my lower body with lard to squeeze into some of their low-cut jeans so my fat @ss bulges out the top.

Then I'll hang out in front of the local A&F store in the mall and just stare slovenly into an iPhone that I'll buy for the occasions (but return it within 10-days to get my money back).

My SO will be nearby filming as the panicking A&F bimbos try to get rid of my fat @ss so teens with two brain cells are not scared away.
We'll post it on Youtube and Facebook and twitter.
Ugly fat old people will flock to A&F stores coast to coast to help drive the nail into this jerk's coffin.

You don't have to get a tiny one, their stuff runs SOOOO small, it's ridiculous! I thought it was sized for children, but DD told me it was actual adult sizes.

But I DO want to see you in this get-up Kenny! The effect just might be the opposite of what you think!

 

[iLander]

This is awesome.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/...ch-homeless-brand-readjustment_n_3272498.html

Hmmm . . .

I think it's a bit demeaning to homeless people to imply that they are so hideous that they can degrade a brand just by wearing the clothes. These people have feelings, too.

I like Kenny's idea though. I'll wedge myself into a tiny A&F top and show off my lily white, one-piece-wearing, untanned belly. That should do it.

 

[nkarma]

This is awesome.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/...ch-homeless-brand-readjustment_n_3272498.html

Hmmm . . .

I think it's a bit demeaning to homeless people to imply that they are so hideous that they can degrade a brand just by wearing the clothes. These people have feelings, too.

I like Kenny's idea though. I'll wedge myself into a tiny A&F top and show off my lily white, one-piece-wearing, untanned belly. That should do it.

I agree too. They are saying homeless people are gross and therefore devalue the brand, that is gross!

Also, Kenny please don't lump fat/overweight and ugly together. They are not one in the same unless you are the CEO of A&F.

 

[movie zombie]

Someone who looks like Gary Busey on his worst day has no business being comtemptuous of anyone.

LOL, Madam, you are so very right!

 

[kenny]

Also, Kenny please don't lump fat/overweight and ugly together.

Granted, and sorry if I offended.

Frankly I find heavier guys MUCH more attractive than skinnier ones.
My SO of 14 years was quite heavy when we met.
Hair too, hair everywhere, the more the better ... up to a point.
Age too, if I was single I'd take a middle-aged+ guy in a flannel shirt over a 20 something in GQ clothing any day.
People vary, as does what we each find attractive.

The common stereotype of the guy who's 'attractive, (young, lean, hairless and stylish) doesn't turn my head, ever.

Being aware of widely-held and unfair stereotypes does not mean I share them.
Besides, I said what I said in this thread in response A&F's CEO's offensive perspective.

 

[FrekeChild]

This is awesome.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/...ch-homeless-brand-readjustment_n_3272498.html

Hmmm . . .

I think it's a bit demeaning to homeless people to imply that they are so hideous that they can degrade a brand just by wearing the clothes. These people have feelings, too.

I like Kenny's idea though. I'll wedge myself into a tiny A&F top and show off my lily white, one-piece-wearing, untanned belly. That should do it.

I agree too. They are saying homeless people are gross and therefore devalue the brand, that is gross!

Also, Kenny please don't lump fat/overweight and ugly together. They are not one in the same unless you are the CEO of A&F.

I disagree with saying that it's the fact that they are hideous and gross is the reason they are degrading the brand. Homeless people are generally regarded as being less than human by people who aren't homeless. Homeless people know that other people think less of them - I used to work with/for them. They would regularly apologize for being smelly and they would often go to the shelter to get clean clothes before coming to our office.

I thought it was awesome that the guy was going out and giving A&F clothes to people that the CEO would regard as being the opposite of the demographic he wants his clothes on. He has already shown that because he BURNS clothes that don't sell instead of giving them away to charities that give clothes to people who can't afford them (which would garner him a tax deduction, I'll add). This is giving clothes to people who need them with a flick of the nose to the CEO - giving his clothes to the people he takes great pains to prevent the items from getting their hands on.

Giving clothes to people who need them and who are grateful is always a plus in my book, the middle finger to the CEO is just icing on the cake.

 

[momhappy]

Clearly, he's an a**, but I guess that he's found something that works for him. There are stores specifically geared towards all different types of people (plus-sizes, petites, etc.) and I guess that I don't see catering to a specific "look" as all that much different. I have always assumed that the store "Forever 21" means that they carry clothing that appeals to 20-soething year-olds, correct? Isn't that targeting a specific group or look?
I don't shop at A&F simply because I loathe their perfume and I can barely stand to walk by the outside of their mall store, let alone walk in to the store.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I also never liked going in A&F because of the smell and loud music. I might have bought my kids a t-shirt or two, but I thought they were ridiculously overpriced. But I actually banned them years ago when they put out R rated Christmas catalogs. Children do not need the message that cool people have sex as teenagers, as far as I am concerned.