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07/13/2009
Abercrombie's Little Bros
Hollister's SoHo flagship doesn't open until Thursday, but the chain has already employed a set of scrubbed-smooth lifeguards to watch over it. No doubt you'll be noting how they stand out in Manhattan.
Posted 5:30 PM EST by Andy Towle in Abercrombie & Fitch, Fashion Men, News | Permalink
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Andy,
You're not Andy Towleroad are you? I'm pretty disappointed that you think it's wrong to criticize a company that has been shown to be openly racist. I guess I'll just stick to worrying about gay issues here. That kind of tunnel vision mentality is what keeps straight African American, Latino and Asian American communities from embracing gay rights.
-raf
Posted by: Raf | Jul 13, 2009 9:50:24 PM
And thanks to the folks that see the idiocy in segregating civil rights into their fight and ours.
Posted by: Raf | Jul 13, 2009 9:51:22 PM
Andy,
Never been one to question your editorial decisions (and won't start here) but are you sincere in you counter argument?
Phat farm does not now nor has it been known to in the past selectively choose models or markets based on race/ethnicity. The models are hot, the store sucks and your argument is beneath you. The man has a valid bone to pick with A&F.
Posted by: MB | Jul 13, 2009 10:30:16 PM
if people don't like that they mostly use white models then don't f-ing buy their shit. jesus, it's not a public school. I don't see tons of white guys in Sean Jean ads or lots of guys at Lane Bryant.
yes, everyone should have equal access to employment, but they shouldn't have to be benetton in their ads.
Posted by: chrisnyc | Jul 13, 2009 10:43:11 PM
This is not Andy of Towleroad.
It is a different Andy. And if the store discriminates against people in terms of employment, then that is a problem.
On the other hand, I beleive in the right to a have a creative vision. And if their look and image captures a white bread persona, I don't feel that there is anything wrong with that. Just like a rap video might project a certain urban look and feature black people.
It is comparable to when we put demands on artists to include one of every type of person in their movies. That is stupid. A lot of Woody Allen films are about jewish New Yorkers. Why should he be obliged to put black people in them? Tyler Perry's films are about black people in the South. Should he be obliged to have white people in them? It is like cramming this mantra that everything has to be just "so" and forcing it upon every aspect of life. And then people are so quick these days to go on the offensive and cry racism.
Look - the store perpetuates a blond, surfer fantasy lifestyle. It is exactly that - a fantasy, a hook, a gimmick, whatever...
I just think attacking these models is so stupid. Besides, Aryan means ice blue eyes, light blond hair, and Nordic bone structure. Only one of these models comes close to that.
Posted by: Andy | Jul 13, 2009 10:53:47 PM
Thank you CHRISNYC. My point exactly.
But nobody here would say anything about Sean Jean models or Vibe models or whatever because we are all conditioned (frankly brainwashed) to think it is okay one way, not the other.
I just think this racist fingerpointing on the Internet sometimes reaches witch-hunt hysteria.
Posted by: Andy | Jul 13, 2009 11:02:01 PM
AnFs racist advertising and hiring practices keep straight African American, Latino and Asian American communities from embracing gay rights? Huh? All this time I thought it was religion and homophobia.
Posted by: Mike | Jul 13, 2009 11:06:20 PM
"And if the store discriminates against people in terms of employment, then that is a problem."
Precisely. The indignation here does not arise from using these particular models or even the attempt at perpetuating a "blond, surfer fantasy lifestyle". It is about this company's employment practices. Even if the ads featured Tyson Beckford (highly doubtful), it wouldn't detract from the fact that AF is a RACIST clothing company.
Posted by: bading | Jul 13, 2009 11:12:19 PM
Do people still buy Abercrombie clothes? Their style/image have gotten pretty stale just like their sales and growth of the company.
But I would have to defend the board shorts with it's longish style, just right below or just above the knee. That is why it is called "board shorts", it was originally developed for the sport of surfing to avoid chafing of the inner thigh when you sit on your surfboard while waiting for the perfect wave.
Posted by: Donsnyc | Jul 13, 2009 11:22:11 PM
Im a black female and I was hired their but I see it like this. I know this sounds horrible but its like blacks have to look a ton better. I model in the traditional sense. 5'8 0/2. I wanted to work their to mark the end of my ugly ducklingness and cause I like the way their guys look. The caucasian girls their had the attitude and stuck upness mind you even though trust a bitch money as not the reason. My passport has more stamps etc. Furthermore they looked like Kelly CLarkson orange with bleached blonde. It was like someone on the same level of attractiveness and black would not have gotten hired. Steretypes were rampant biracial and full black males all the girls were in love with but hes their "playas". WHo for some reason think Id be atracted to them. I didnt last long at that job. BUt I will say overall the guys are nice and in other stores but that one.
Posted by: Olympia | Jul 13, 2009 11:44:34 PM
One thing needs to be noticed about all of this race- isms that are being mentioned on this particular post.
A/F made it very clear about their NON hiring of minorities models and who wears their apparel
And when you think of A/F clothes that displays beaches, surfing,etc.
What comes to mind?
UMMMM Blond hair, blue eyes, chiseled body. Just like when gay men always say "I'm looking for a ALL AMERICAN BOY" code word for just saying I'm looking for a white male.
At least Sean John, Roc-a-wear et al, caters to all races and have all races that are employed by them.
That's the difference.
It's all about the coin!
Posted by: DUPREE | Jul 14, 2009 12:31:47 AM
Nice to look at, don't get me wrong. All three have won the genetic lottery -if you got it, flaunt it. Right?
Still, Hollister clothes suck, they're cheaply made, overpriced and remind me of that most Americans only care about a certain brand name, versus just buying clothes.
As for flip-flops, well I love them and wear them all the time. Sure they're cheap, but living in LA, I feel they're more appropriate.
But to each his own.
Posted by: David | Jul 14, 2009 12:56:36 AM
Thanks for the eye candy, Andy!!!
Posted by: Name: | Jul 14, 2009 5:28:07 AM
The unfortuanate reality of cloning!
Can they not duplicate body hair yet?
Posted by: john | Jul 14, 2009 6:04:49 AM
SoHo unfortunately became an uncovered shopping mall when New York City lost its edge over ten years ago. The opening of another homogenized Hollister store in SoHo is like a final nail in the coffin. NYC used to be the ultimate shopping destination for its adventure and discovery, now it's as unremarkable and predictable as a shopping jag in Newark, Newark.
Posted by: NSFW | Jul 14, 2009 8:41:17 AM
My main concern will always be gay men who still wear A&F past the age of 22. No matter what race they are.
Posted by: another matt | Jul 14, 2009 9:04:06 AM
Having just shopped for with my 16 year old nephew at Hollister I can say with certainty that this is a teen/tween store only. How do you guys know so much about their clothes? I'm a skinny guy and the "large" shirts were still too small for me. How old are you guys? And why is this news?
Posted by: Wayne | Jul 14, 2009 9:50:07 AM
Andy you can defend your own personal racism & Abercrombies as well all you want, but, the fact of the matter is that racism is ugly even when pretty blonde beach people are involved.
Posted by: Derek Washington | Jul 15, 2009 4:35:24 AM
A&F has a very unprofessional managers and management(all of them are store experience managers and they don't even know how to deal with ppl). They make you suffer by treating you bad and sometimes you will wish to have blue eyes and blond hair to be treated as a human being (very racist).
Posted by: victim | Aug 26, 2009 9:13:45 AM
Oh! how i love these GUYS LEGS CHEST SIZE ARMS FEET LOVE THEM GUYS,.
WANT to massage there barefeet,.
Posted by: Robert Whittington | Sep 8, 2009 5:09:50 AM
Want to suck and lick thee soles of there barefeet
Posted by: Robert Whittington | Sep 8, 2009 5:12:04 AM