10/19/2007
Abercrombie Nixes Shirtless Men. (Plus: Eco Stag Party?)
In an effort to keep y'all entertained, we'll check in with some blog friends and get some links up through the day. Rest assured Andy will be back next week. (And yes, he misses you too.) Our regular tech column by Jon Barrett will be up later today of course. So you do have reason to go on.
Our friend Kenneth (in the 212) is featuring photos from from the Anderson Cooper, Jeff Corwin, and Dr. Sanjay Gupta launch party for CNN's new enviro-series. He found Lance Armstrong, Matthew McConaughey, and strangely...no women.
HunkduJour directed us to the latest from performance art group Improv Everywhere. Where else would you go shopping with a few hundred shirtless buddies after playing football in Central Park? (Plus Ugly Betty shirtless geek hotness.)
You may have missed...
Improv Everywhere: Best Buy Ambush [tr]
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 7:08 AM EST by Michael Goff in Abercrombie & Fitch, Anderson Cooper, Art & Design, Models | Permalink
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"Our friend Kenneth (in the 212) is featuring photos from from the Anderson Cooper, Jeff Corwin, and Dr. Sanjay Gupta launch party for CNN's new enviro-series. He found Lance Armstrong, Matthew McConaughey, and strangely...no women."
because they didn't bring a female with them, that automatically infers they might be gay - pathetic to even make a comment like that... it's their own personal decision to remain closeted or not, no one else's...live your own life and stop caring about the lives of others!
Posted by: sad... | Oct 19, 2007 7:15:26 AM
I think it is strange no women were at the party. ::chuckles::
Posted by: Rob (lrdarystar) | Oct 19, 2007 7:36:14 AM
I've got a crush on Sanjay Gupta.
Posted by: sam | Oct 19, 2007 9:29:42 AM
Lame posts like that really really make me miss Andy.
Andy please please hurry back and save us from drivel like that.
Posted by: Derek | Oct 19, 2007 9:52:41 AM
I miss Andy, too. I hope all is well with his family. See ya' next week, Andy.
Posted by: Dean | Oct 19, 2007 9:54:13 AM
comment on the abercrombie and such: beauty and the bear
Posted by: frtgyyb | Oct 19, 2007 10:18:21 AM
I went to school with Charlie T, the organizer of the shirtless raid. Great to see him continue to get press for his antics, he's a terrific guy!
Posted by: nillachino | Oct 19, 2007 10:42:02 AM
Derek, If you really like Andy and his blog, perhaps you can show him and his guest the respect of not insulting someone who he has asked to fill in for him while he can't be here. You pay him no tribute in doing so, in fact I'm sure you bring him much grief by your words you posted here.
If you don't think his guest bloggers do a good job, write him a private email to inform him of that. I think he would appreciate that more than now having to apologize to his guest blogger for his reader's rudeness.
Posted by: Patrick | Oct 19, 2007 10:43:17 AM
Amen, Patrick.
Posted by: Jonathon | Oct 19, 2007 10:46:34 AM
Patrick- hey I have a tip for you. Close your mouth, pucker up and kiss my ass. I am free to voice my opinion on any matter I wish in any way I wish period, end of story.
My comment built upon what Sad first stated and if I can be honest, I think Andy is far better served seeing the comments left by his dialy readers and not by some "private email" like you suggest.
And btw Patrick how does my voicing my opinion publicly about his guest blogger's post and you voicing yours about my post differ? And if you prefer to send me your response (imagine praticing what you preach) my email is right there for you to use.
XO,
Derek
Posted by: Derek | Oct 19, 2007 11:14:06 AM
To all the gays leaving the comments
What are your experiences with Ambercrombie and Fitch? Do you find them snooty or fun? Does it enhance or weaken your own self-esteem? Leave your comments here on the message board so I can see.
David in L.A.
Posted by: David in L.A. | Oct 19, 2007 11:21:39 AM
And Patrick I have to really laugh at your thinking that somehow Andy would feel the need to apologize for my rudeness/honesty.
When you post something, regardless of content, you open yourself up to both praise and critisism depending on how readers digest it.
I mean come now, is this a new concept for you?
Posted by: Derek | Oct 19, 2007 11:23:21 AM
Come on people it's Friday...be happy.
I'll state the obvious, Anderson sure looks pretty happy between 2 guys. (okay, okay I'm done)Derek we love you, Patrick we love you, Andy we miss you...
Posted by: Davey | Oct 19, 2007 11:35:10 AM
I despise Abercrombie & Fitch. Their whole image (their ads and who they hire) is the opposite of inclusive (only beautiful model types, almost all white).
I also find the way they blatantly target the gay market kind of disgusting. And I don't find it's in an "out and proud" way, its kind of more like "remember when you were in the closet in high school and you had a huge crush on the football star?" or "remember when you would get aroused by the horsing around in the locker room?"
And most importantly of all: when you get past all the BS, their clothes are nothing special.
Posted by: Meeg | Oct 19, 2007 11:38:14 AM
Well, "Sad", we all know ONE of them is definitely gay whether he says it or not.
Posted by: Matt | Oct 19, 2007 12:19:34 PM
DAVID IN L.A.,
I don't find Abercrombie and Fitch to be snooty, nor do I find it particularly fun. I find it to be boring, trite, and conformist. And I find the people who wear it are also usually equally boring, trite and conformist. And I haven't associated an article of clothing with my self esteem since I was in high school.
xo,
peterparker
Posted by: peterparker | Oct 19, 2007 12:22:35 PM
@ PETERPARKER -- Amen, brother. When I see someone wearing that over-logoed crap, I see: a) a victim of a particularly insidious marketing angle (body naziism/\\\\\"youth is all that matters\\\\\"), b) someone who has an unimaginative, mass-market sense of style, c) a big ol homo (LOL).
@ DEREK -- I agree with you 100% about your right to say what you want (though it doesn\\\\\\\'t make you any more fun to read). Just be warned that Andy will block you from posting if you carry on in a negative way. I got the whammy for making fun of Mika LOL
Carry on.
Posted by: Becks07 | Oct 19, 2007 12:46:15 PM
I don't even know Derek, and I want to smack him. Blech.
Posted by: GM | Oct 19, 2007 12:47:32 PM
Yes, Derek is an asshat. So what? Shall we strip him of his interwebs license? Whining about asshattery is almost as bad as the asshattery itself.
Hmmm. Where does this put my post? How meta...
Posted by: tservo | Oct 19, 2007 12:50:42 PM
If only for accuracy, I'm Andy's business partner, hardly a blogger, and appreciate the feedback.
I'm sorry. I guess my first link really was like one of those quick jokes that just isn't funny after it's been over-explained incorrectly by a comment troll defending the closet first thing in the morning.
Btw, I'm a huge fan of our comment sectiona and our commenters. No, seriously. I am looking into some forum and other technologies to expand these discussions, and invite your ideas and input on that as well--in comments or in email.
More mediocre links to come. I'd love to post something better, so send it on if you have it.
No way am i going to post anything really good or I'll be expected to do this regularly.
Thanks for the support.
Posted by: Michael Goff | Oct 19, 2007 12:52:12 PM
Abercrombie makes awesome shorts though. The cargo shorts fit really well and are really comfortable, albeit a little hefty.
Most of their other stuff is bleh. They've taken the "worn" in look to the extreme in most cases.
Also, I want to be Forever Young, Forever Young, I want to be Forever Young.
Posted by: David | Oct 19, 2007 12:54:09 PM
Abercrombie is for teenagers (Hollister is for pre-teens). I absolutely despise gusy trying to be younger simply by the A&F they wear. Get a life! Act your age! Dress appropriately!
Posted by: DKNATL | Oct 19, 2007 1:34:26 PM
The absence of our esteemed blogger forced me to turn on The View this morning. I caught the last 10 minutes, and was surprised to see Candis Cayne... no doubt the result of her star turn on the otherwise forgettable Dirty Sexy Money. Curious how the Gs in GLBT feel about this T... I, for one, have a serious crush on her.
In a nod to the A&F posting: The shirts are age inappropriate for anyone over 25 (which includes me) but the cargo shorts are a city living must have... a pocket for everything you might need for a day out on the town.
Posted by: my2cents | Oct 19, 2007 1:44:17 PM
Hey Michael Goff,
I found the post fun. The video made me laugh. A good thing especially on a Friday. Thanks.
Posted by: Chris | Oct 19, 2007 2:04:54 PM
I absolutely can't stand A&F, and don't see what the point or attraction is, cause it is really very trashy (although it is one of the very few lines cut small enough that I can wear). And don't even get me started on their colognes, or should I say insecticides...
I've been a Ralph devotee (after J.Press) forever, even if I have to buy all his stuff in the boy's dept. or custom tailor. While I can't stand Ralph's cologne's either, at least Ralph has more class in every aspect of his operations than A&F will ever have.
Posted by: Jordan | Oct 19, 2007 2:57:48 PM
Michael Goff, you're a hoot. The post was particularly hilarious and it made my morning. A&F is crap and I'm pretty horrified when I see it all over gay hell and kudos to Peter Parker, Becks, et al. Agreed, 100%.
I'd rather wear a shirt made out of Tom Ford.
Posted by: FizziekruntNT | Oct 19, 2007 3:35:24 PM
OMG. BUAAHAHAHAHHA Jordan!
I just blew OJ out my nose. "...insecticides..."
HAHAHAHHHAHAHAHA. Gosh, and I thought everyone was just wearing OFF!
Posted by: FizziekruntNT | Oct 19, 2007 3:39:30 PM
Super "zap" of A thanks for the video. Though I wish they'd also approached it from a legal point of view. I believe that the A&F employees putting their hands on them technically constituted "assault" and I wish the zappers would have called for the police on the fashion fascists.
For another topic, Michael, I suggest links to clips from Wednesday night's "Private Practice" on ABC. Whether or not one likes the show generally it probably caused some coronaries in Middle America then [I'm impressed with the cast; unimpressed with most scripts].
This one involved a ten-year old gay kid. Repeat: TEN-YEAR'S OLD!!! He was treated with total respect and empathy by the show's leads. No, "Are you sure?", "Maybe you should wait until you're older to decide," ad nauseum. Gay was okay, even for a ten-year old! His problem wasn't accepting it—he clearly already had—but that he was attracted to someone who wasn't attracted to him, who hit him BUT later wanted to apologize. And his sexy adult male doctor praised him for his courage in asking that skater friend out when he, the adult, couldn't be honest with the woman he was secretly attracted to.
Mindbogglingly wonderful!!!
Posted by: Leland Frances | Oct 19, 2007 3:41:18 PM
Meeg,
Well, I fall for the Abercrombie world hook, line, and sinker. I like the clothes, I like the store, I feel like I am part of the Abercrombie world. I even worked there while in high school and college and a store greeter. So, it kind of bugs me when people rag on the company. If you don't like the store, don't shop there and leave it at that, please.
Posted by: DEAN | Oct 19, 2007 3:42:01 PM
I think the post's funny and perfect for the end of the working week.
As for Abercrombie, I haven't purchased anything from there since I was about 15 and eight years later I have no desire to start up that trend. Then again, none of the stereotypes hold up for me in terms of the fashion department, which suits me just fine (pun intended!).
Posted by: Ryan | Oct 19, 2007 3:58:27 PM
Hey Dean, you in the NYC area...? :)
Michael Goff-YOU ROCK!
Posted by: Davey | Oct 19, 2007 4:12:33 PM
Off topic too but OMG...I had sworn to never, I repeat nevah watch "Private Practice"( I admit to having a slight aversion towards tv dramas)and then the other day I walk in and my sisters (who are totally hooked) are watching and calling me to hurry and watch a gay kid on TV (coz I'm always complaining that there aren't enuff gay characters on day time tv). But I missed the initial part. So that's added on my "to see" shows and the list is getting longer and longer. Ugly Betty? Totally funny last nite!
Now...About A&B, I actually don't know what their shorts look like but if they're anything like the shirts...
Posted by: Shabaka | Oct 19, 2007 4:33:39 PM
Of course, if people over 25 did start wearing A&F then they might all commit suicide in the marketing department and have to come up with something new. They used to be a brand for wealthy retirees!
Posted by: anon (gmail.com) | Oct 19, 2007 4:51:37 PM
Shabaka: you can watch that full episode of "PP" with the gay 10-yr. old online for free via ABC.com [click on "Full Episodes" and follow the directions] as well as most other ABC prime time shows including "Betty" hot Billy Baldwin under the covers with a gorgeous T on "Dirty Sexy Money" and cute Kristin Chenoweth's song on "Pushing Daisies" and the gayderful "Brothers & Sisters." They even have most [though, strangely, not all yet] of last season's episodes of "LOST" for those who need to catch up before the new season in February. Of course, you need a fast connection, and, even then, there seem to be some glitches but it's helped me a lot and the image quality is stunning.
And why is Uncle Leland not using TiVo? Because they share promotional profits with the rabid homohating Hitler Jugend group Battle Cry:
http://battlecry.com/pages/KidsZone%20Redirect.php
Posted by: Leland Frances | Oct 19, 2007 4:54:36 PM
Dean: I don't shop at A&F, but I won't leave it at that. Like I said I hate the store and everything it stands for. David in LA above said he was curious to hear people's opinions, and that was mine.
Posted by: Meeg | Oct 19, 2007 6:03:01 PM
The stunt would have been more interesting if it had included a more diverse range of bodies. (As opposed to just skinny white guys). There were a couple of heavier guys and a couple of hairy guys, but if they had managed to get a much wider range (in terms of size, shape, colour, ablility) then there could have been an interesting comment on body fascism. I guess this was an internet stunt, so skinny white guys are, realistically, what they're going to get.
The model they had in the shop was smiling but looked very uncomfortable being next to that guy. I liked that shot.
A&F? My only experience was a shop I went into in Toronto, I asked if they had my size in a pair of jeans I fancied and the shop assistant went to look, then disappeared. I found him talking to a tall tanned clone of the large photographs around the shop looking to buy a shirt. Needless to say I left without making a purchase.
The shop was dark, I felt like I was stuck in the cloakroom of a nightclub.
Sean xx
Posted by: Sean | Oct 19, 2007 7:07:25 PM
I really HATE Sanjay Gupta. He is a smarmy little twerp and he gives South Asians a bad name. He really had his lunch handed to him when he bad-mouthed Michael Moore's movie on CNN about errors. Sanjay must be spending too much time in his closet to do much fact checking.
Veejay
Posted by: veejay | Oct 19, 2007 8:06:38 PM
A&F: Bought pants there once about 9 years ago, haven't gone back since. I'm 23 and find the place ridiculous in its obsession with an identity I can't understand.
Posted by: Henry | Oct 19, 2007 8:57:07 PM
I detest "I'm-a-zombie & Bitch".
Reminds me of the vapid, narcissistic steroid queens in Chelsea who try to "subdue their age" by wearing one of their t-shirts a size too small. UGH!!
Posted by: soulbrotha | Oct 19, 2007 10:47:27 PM
i have never found the Leni Riefenstahl marketting attractive.
there was a few good Ezra jeans and sweaters but that line seems to be discontinued, and there's been some decent army pants. i would never feature the A+F name on my chest, or exterior for that matter.
as for Hollister, there's been great pants there, and a few good hoodies, but once again the name cannot be sported in public. And i cannot believe that the company is attempting to sue the town of Hollister to cease the sale of souvenir Tshirts (as if A+F had created the town itself).
As for both those stores... the darkness, loudness of the sugarsappy music, and the lineups make entering the stores Hell but (both exterior designs are genius).
Posted by: A.J | Oct 20, 2007 9:44:05 AM
A&F - I'm not a fan of their clothing, since I tend not to like logos EMBLAZONED on everything, with no fun or graphic style to it. Puma, on the other hand, tend to use their logo in fun ways, so I don't mind it as much. But my father's words still echo in my head - "If they're gonna make me advertise their brand by putting their logo on my clothes, then they should pay ME" - LOL
It still boggles my mind that people have an issue with anyone over a certain age wearing a particular brand. A&F is so generic and non-descript that if you didn't see the logo you would assume the wearer got it at ANY Gap, J-Crew, Banana, Macy's, etc. If you think that only people of a certain age are allowed to wear a particular brand, then you have fallen hook line and sinker for their marketing.
Age-appropriate dressing has far more to do with size and fit than with any particular brand.
Posted by: Gregg | Oct 20, 2007 10:35:08 AM
FYI...
In 2005, A & F CEO Michael S. Jeffries earned $5.054 million in total compensation including stock option grants from Abercrombie & Fitch Co. From previous years, Jeffries cashed out $108.46 million in stock option exercises and has an additional $204.19 million in unexercised stock options.
In 2002, Abercrombie was one of 26 companies that paid $22 million to settle a lawsuit filed in U.S. courts by factory workers from Saipan who claimed that they made clothes in sweatshops.
In 2003, Abercrombie & Fitch paid a $2.2 million settlement after 11,000 employees in California sued and demanded reimbursement for clothes they were required to buy as a condition of their employment. Because the clothes were a job requirement, they were deemed uniforms, which must be paid for by employers under state labor regulations.
In November 2004, Abercrombie agreed to pay $50 million to settle a class-action discrimination lawsuit brought by nine former employees who claimed they were fired, or hidden--asked to work in storage rooms or put on overnight shifts--because they didn't fit into the "Abercrombie look" enough to work with the public. The settlement applies to all women and all African Americans, Asian Americans and Latinos who either applied for a job at an Abercrombie store (or attempted to do so and were discouraged), or were employed there between February 24, 1999 and November 16, 2004.
Not hiring ugly people isn't illegal, just very shallow IMHO.. Remember that when you buy those $80 jeans, think about who made them and how little they got paid.. Think before you buy...
Posted by: Timothy B | Oct 20, 2007 1:51:02 PM
We've only recently have A & F open here in the UK.
Like many gay men, I found the marketing appealing - for about five minutes! But on consideration it is very shallow as is the whole approach to the store. Very aryan-looking imagery coupled with "size zero" designs leaves me out of the frame. It also sends a very unhealthy message to young people - "be skinny and white if you want to fit in..."
And who decided it should be so dark in the stores? Is that so you don't see the stupid prices clearly??
Personally I find that the Gap achieves much the same thing in terms of clothes design - their cargo shorts are 100 times better than A&F :) - but without alienating anyone using ridiculous sizes and proto-nazi marketing. Oh and they're not over-priced either!
Posted by: Roger | Oct 22, 2007 4:51:06 AM
Thanks for the info LELAND...I got monday evenings free so I'll make sure to catch up on some of the shows. I'm not a big fan of TV but some shows are okay. B&S bored me to death after the 1st few episodes though.
Posted by: Shabaka | Oct 22, 2007 1:18:00 PM