My Experience Working at Abercrombie & Fitch

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My Experience Working at Abercrombie & Fitch after watching the documentary White Hot: The Rise and Fall of Abercrombie and Fitch. Mike Jeffries gives me the creeps.

[@jbt6007]

I wouldn't say Abercrombie loves everyone now. That is called capitol adapting to the market. If it makes them money they will love whomever. LOVE you Mark!

[@VergeXT]

Isn't that basically what Mark was saying though? That their "all inclusive" attitude is fake and just for marketing? I know I never felt comfortable in those stores, I always felt like I was too fat and the employees didn't want me there.

[@Pasta_Water]

I think that’s exactly what Mark was saying…lol

[@liatalgranti4075]

Yes, but they also have a different CEO now. Mike Jeffries stepped down a while ago, and even when he was there through all of the scandals he didn't really care to adapt to the market.

[@nikkilogan7726]

Very true!!

[@gagrlntxworld6641]

Amen

[@yaidesantiagogarcia7085]

The fact that Abercrombie was able to exist that way and nobody ever really questioned it, really highlights how we felt about diversity/inclusivity during that time. The CEO was only able to capitalize off of those attitudes because they already existed. It's hard to fault him for that as that's truly where we were in American society. Side note: People do not realize how far ahead we actually are. Obama was president when I was in High School and gay marriage was legalized a few years after I came out. Gay people older than me had their youth stolen from them and gay people younger than me have the privilege of not ever seeing that divide. Our generation was the first to feel/see those effects in real time. SO WEIRD.

[@collinsje5]

I'm a gay man of 74. Despite it all, I never lost my sense of humor, and now I am a crabby old man. GET OFF MY LAWN!

[@VergeXT]

My cousins shopped there often but I never felt like I fit in, being a chubby teen.

[@yaidesantiagogarcia7085]

@@collinsje5 LMAO YOU'RE LIVING THE DREAM. At my rate, i'm gonna be the 74 year old gay man on roller skates. 😂

[@yaidesantiagogarcia7085]

@@VergeXT I personally shopped at the Hollister next to it. They had this little iPad looking thing that you could use to select songs to play in the store... It was awesome (stores should bring that back) Also WAY more colorful than Abercrombie. I really only bought their shirts/hoodies bc there is noooo way my legs could fit in those jeans. 🤭

[@samf.s8786]

"Hard to fault him"... No! This was a grown @$$ adult with ALOT of money

[@BeNMcCaughan]

Abercrombie & Fitch has always, ALWAYS loved the gays. It’s everyone else they used to have a problem with 😂

[@testing7802]

That’s true, I think Mike Jeffries was gay

[@TheCOnassis]

You might be too young to remember this, but Abercrombie and Fitch stores used to be very traditional and conservative. Plaid carpet, deer antler lighting fixtures etc. what a big change.

[@whatalsaid]

I feel like when I was a teenager, Abercrombie was already out of trend. In Junior High/High school, everyone was wearing American Eagle or Aeropostale. Me included. Nowadays, most teenagers today are Social Media influencers, and only wear Versace, which is kinda mind-boggling.

[@Kupid14]

There’s a difference between being all inclusive and “better”, saving face to keep making money. A&F and Hollister are not what they claim to be.

[@kodyjbosch1]

Exactly. 👍

[@baobabs727]

Who cares. Then don’t shop there. I mean, I don’t shop there because I don’t like their clothes these days. Not because I feel they are bad people. We should stop virtue signaling and making everything about morality and values. It’s just clothes, people.

[@Kupid14]

@@baobabs727 a lot of people DO care that’s why there’s a conversation about it. I don’t shop there nor do I work there. Not sure why my comment bothered you so much to go on a rant that makes no sense. No one is making everything about morality and values?? I am speaking in the sense that they as a company were obviously being called out for being discriminatory and still continue to be, but hide behind the facade that they are all inclusive.

[@dorothygale1104]

@@Kupid14 You obviously feel A&F’s all-inclusive direction is fake. Well, how do you determine if it is fake or real, not just with A&F but also with any company that had similar issues in the past. A&F’s past practices that Mark alluded to were quite a while ago and change was brought about because the company’s financial performance took a big hit due to its focus on a very narrow market/customer base. If A&F’s past practices are always going to be an anchor around the compNy’s neck regardless of changes they make, then what incentive does any company have to change those practices? Does it make financial sense for A&F or any other company to embrace inclusivit? Sure it does. If A&F made changes and now embraces an allinclusive approach, does any financial motivation in making those changes cancel any and all benefit associated with the changes it has made? Did A&F adopt inclusivity for financial reasons? Sure they did because not being inclusive hurt the company badly. Is a company doing the right thing to maximize financial performance a bad thing? Every company is motivated to make a profit and operating in a way to achieve that profit goal isn’t a bad thing…even if the emoloyees don’t really believe in the chsnges they have made to achieve higher profitability. IMO all that matters is that A&F is publicly doing tbe right thing with regard to an all-inclusive direction. As long as I’m treated with respect when I’m in any establishment and I like the product, I couldn’t care less about what those working in the store or at the company’s headquarters office think about me privately, as I can’t control the thoughts of others.

[@baobabs727]

@@dorothygale1104 For the life of me I cannot wrap my brain around the concept that all businesses must appeal to all peoples. That’s just ridiculous and absurd on its face. We are in a brave New World that I do not recognize. As long as they do not break any laws, businesses are free to market themselves to anyone they so choose. In any way they so choose. If you don’t like it, don’t shop there. Every business cannot appeal to everyone. Nor should they try.

[@bigguy43055]

I was a cook and extra cashier at their distribution center cafeteria in New Albany Ohio . I was let go for no reason. I later found out that Mike Jeffries came through the cafe and saw me working and said I didn't fit the " A&F look". My boss came in the next day and asked where I went and was told they let me go because I wasn't "A&F "( older and a little thick and gay). My manager said we need to hire him back because he's a good employee and if he ever finds out , he has grounds to sue, so they called me back. I ended up lasting about 8 or 9 months before I quit. It was a horrible company and Mike Jeffries was straight up creepy. This was back in 2000 - 2001.

[@lordwalker71]

I remember going into hollister once and it was so dark and the music was blasting and there was nothing that would fit someone my size, their XL looked like a medium at other stores, I never had felt so uncomfortable in a clothing store.

[@collinsje5]

I remember when Ambercrombie was a stuffy old man store that sold smoking jackets and duck decoys. The next iteration was the non-diverse one that objectified attractive white "cool" kids of both genders - I went in there once to buy something for my grandson, and the salesperson looked at me like I was a rodent. They might claim to be more inclusive now, but be assured that attitude is totally bottom-line driven. Abercrombie IMHO is an effed up company that should show a little class for once and leave us all to decide for ourselves what is fashionable and what is passe. They are not an arbiter of good taste, and they can eat my shorts (with or without ketchup). BTW, Mark, this new documentary style of yours really works.

[@MichaelDJ68]

Before it was "stuffy," it was the go to sporting good store in New York City--actual sporting goods.

[@inoxide5454]

are you a rodent?

[@collinsje5]

@@inoxide5454 don't think so lol

[@jjara010]

Hey Mark. A bit off topic, but I wanted to commend you on how you've carry your self these last few months. Stay gracious, and respectful.

[@pavel_moscow]

Come on, A&F were always targeting gay audience with all their marketing. But they did it by showing beautiful sexy images rather than ordinary people and plus size models. Simple as that. You don't always need to show your target audience in your communication, you just need to show what your target audience wants to look like. And yes, their clothes are mostly overpriced basic sportswear. Although fragrances are really cool!

[@trevorn9381]

A&F bought my college's mailing list back in the 1990s and mailed out their catalogs which were basically soft gay porn. Pretty much every closeted gay dude on that campus maxed out their credit cards buying Abercrombie clothes. Back then if you saw a dude wearing Abercrombie it was a pretty safe bet that he was gay or at least bi. LOL

[@premnath.09]

Mark is the kind of guy who will just would complete my world. He is being himself. Nothing more or less. Love him to bits. ❤️ 😍

[@jerdiego]

The best thing we could hope for is for companies with a history of bad behavior to do a 180 and learn from their mistakes. Everyone deserves the chance to be better tomorrow than they were yesterday.

[@markjones95648]

This is why you gotta make more documentaries. You are an amazing and authentic film makers. Just do it😁 Much love... I'm doing a project because of you and something you said. So make more magic!

[@KeonNeon]

Yes mark! Love these type of videos

[@UncleBruceCT]

A&F used to have a store locally (years ago), where once a day all the shirtless boiz (white, naturally) would parade through the mall where the store was located. I asked once what they were supposed to be promoting. It must have been shorts or flipflops, because they weren't wearing anything else. I was told by a salesperson inside the store that they were selling "pretty." Five years later, the store was closed.

[@briobrandon911]

Isn't it crazy how different the social norms was back then? And it wasn't even that long ago considering how drastic it changed.

[@mitchellwhitfield4872]

Definitely wondered why there was an extremely specific employee group back in the day, and I never purchased from there because of it - after watching that documentary, I felt so validated because people use to say I was over thinking it and I was like no, it’s seemed very intentional.

[@coreyseancash]

two moments stick out to me when i look back on my time working for abercrombie kids when i was like..19. the first one was how it felt weird that they were basically winding it down to three guys and three girls to be the "face" at the front of the store and how we had to take polaroids from different angles and wait until corporate approved us to be at the front of the store in pajamas (i overheard a few comments made about each of us on what they didn't like about our appearance and what they could be okay with working with). the second one was when i walked into work when my manager stopped me, pointed at me and proceeded to tell another employee "see, corey wears the same last season shirt every shift. don't be like him" like, sorry bro that i make cents and can't afford the overpriced product. this was literally so long ago but as a customer now, it definitely feels different. i mean it's a typical retail store where sometimes you'll get friendly customer service, sometimes they can't be bothered with you but i will say it's definitely grown to what seems to be a better company? lol

[@MatthewLavan]

Love you, Mark 😊 I do shop at A&F, and especially now since their rebranding/new era you can say lol 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Zenithx3]

As a younger gay man, I Loved the Abercrombie models look of Hot White Shirtless Men! Helped me realize I was gay early on. That being said, it also definitely perpetuated the hot white man stereotype that that as a brown gay man, is still very difficult to overcome as those you are attracted to And feeling bad that you are not 'them'. I think Abercrombie must have made a Lot of money from the gay male community but I agree how much they really care about the gay community I was always a Banana Republic fan and worked there for years - still love it. Thanks Mark for the Insight.

[@Areyoumadnott]

I hated banana republic I worked there for three years. It was drama everywhere same for Abercrombie and I worked there for two years. Drama all over

[@williamwrege7278]

Now wait a minute, they changed to what you thought they should have been; but now you dismiss it, complain about it, distrust it?

[@richardchen7062]

I mean, you don’t have to read many of the comments to look into why this rebranding is disingenuous

[@axeell92]

I didn’t realise that the CEO of A&F looked like that… I mean if he only wanted attractive cool people employed he should have resigned 😑

[@richardsoucy4152]

Hello Mark! My husband Duane and I operated the Roy d'Carreau Guest House in Montreal in the Gay Village for 7 years and during that time Duane invited local gay artist to show their creations. One of the artist was Martial. One of his large paintings titled "Orgie de Culture" was about how suddenly big corporations started to exploit the pink dollar we called it as they realized that gays made good money and spent a lot in stores including Abercrombie. It was and I think still happening and it is basically for the corporations to get rich. The painting names many big corporations and as soon as the painting was put in the window of a gay bar in the Village, the police came to have it removed. Duane and I bought it and I still have it today all rolled up and ready to go to an Art Gallery that would display it. Even now, it is not easy to find such an Art Gallery and the painting is a masterpiece. I am moving back to Montreal this week after leaving on Halifax for the past 8 years and I will continue to search for a Gallery anywhere in the world but hopefully in Canada or the States to put it up proudly in their gallery. I am glad that Abercrombie is more inclusive now and I hope it is for the right reasons.

[@remsan03]

Remember, companies love money rather than you. Becoming LGBT supporter for them is a mean of survival rather than love.

[@mikalpdx11]

I think we need to forgive and move forward and honor that they have changed rather than a being too woke or picky about their turnaround. They have made a real effort and if we can’t forgive then why should the next company make an effort.

[@thevontelproject]

It’s truly not that simple. Yes of course forgiveness is much better than holding grudges. But Abercrombie & Fitch (like many other companies) did not want to go bankrupt for their very twisted views. So they resulted to being “more inclusive” by including everyone such as: POC, Queer people, plus size people, non-binary and trans people. It’s a classic marketing scheme to make their numbers go up and to make consumers buy their products more than they ever had been. So just because they they reshaped the face of the company does not mean that they truly believe in the values they are marketing for their brand.

[@mikalpdx11]

@@thevontelproject of course the company didn’t want to go bankrupt. The fact is they have changed in a very public way. And you have no idea if they have truly changed or not. Give them the benefit of the doubt and stop perpetuating the worst part of the gay community that picks on others and endless victimizing.

[@badboy.vic.o]

I didn't realize how problematic A&F was back in the day, until after watching the documentary. I'm not proud that I bought a lot of their apparel back then. Had I known what I know now, I probably would have stopped shopping there. I'm a proud, gay, Filipino and make more informed choices where I spend my money.

[@baobabs727]

Yes, and you thought those white boys were hot hot hot. Don’t lie lol.

[@octoberboiy]

@@baobabs727 😝😝😝😝

[@baobabs727]

@@octoberboiy 🤩🤣😂 see, you and I know the truth! 🔥🔥🔥🔥😁🤣

[@keepitsmooth9498]

I wish they had interviewed me for that documentary. I worked for the Kids store in Austin, TX, and I remember one day the district manager made a surprise visit which the store manager did not expect. I was working that day and so it was a special girl with a handicap syndrome. The store manager was almost panicking when he saw the district manager. He grabbed the girl by her hand and took her in the back and locked her in the bathroom. It was sad, but the store manager was a good guy, I swear. He literally had to do that because when the district manager came in visiting he expected to see only good looking people working there. I think that was my worst experience ever that I witnessed while working at Anf

[@w.8329]

Wow that is sick!

[@Guruvalverde]

I wish one day to meet you in person, you inspire me so much and I have to say that lucky the guy which stays beside you. If you ever come to Switzerland or anywhere in Europe, let me know :)

[@unknownsponge14]

You’re the only Patreon I’d subscribe to

[@johnscott983]

I saw the vid. it really was a eye opener!

[@BrianChambersUnique319]

We have the power of the purse. Good video Mark!

[@Omfgitsdustintyler]

I wore their clothes as a teenager in like 2004, only thing I but now is the Abercrombie Fierce vintage cologne because it’s so 🔥🔥🔥

[@annas9]

I've been once in an Abercrombie & Fitch store in Milan, Italy, and this feeling that I don't fit there just because I'm not that aesthetic canons was so much painful, in a clothes shop - just really stupid.

[@sweeperboy]

I guess I never had the same sort of relationship with Abercrombie & Fitch because I wasn't in America and you'd literally have to go to the capital to even see a store. That being said, I was aware of them and certainly it was eye-catching their stunts of having shirtless hot guys as the workers, standing outside, etc (again, I assume not as common over here, due to the weather). I didn't really understand about their nefarious working practices, but I distinctly remember seeing one catalogue where each and every model - mostly male, some female - was either completely or mostly naked, and all incredibly good-looking and horsing around with other largely homoerotically. Once you got over the initial "wow they're all really hot" thought, the next thought was: "Wait...this company is selling clothes. So why are all the models naked?" and it didn't make sense.

[@dreamershavemorefun]

I remember being very influenced and really wanting to shop there ( we didn’t have Abercrombie and Fitch in Quebec). I’m ashamed at how much I loved the aesthetic. I’ve grown up now and see that it’s honestly a toxic aesthetic. I’m sure they’re only rebranding to capture more dollars, it’s not truly their core values; another company gay washing for the masses *sigh*

[@marlonelias]

I tried applying there before but I never get a call back!.!. It’s been a while since the last time I visited them and buy clothes from them!.!. Maybe it’s a good thing, because now I have a job that treats me well and pays me well, and at least I know where I can spend my hard earned money.

[@danielrotello4950]

Netflix recommendation - "Heartstopper"!!! If you haven't seen it yet, you can thank me later. It is the television equivelent of the most comforting hug!

[@mcmanpa]

I feel like documentary filmmakers are following their audience: they see what people are choosing to watch; and it must be said, like people are watching a whole lot more documentaries now than in pre-Netflix days.

[@sanyeung1620]

I thought you were straight at first at the beginning of the video… 😂 love you ❤😘

[@kevinh811]

In my 20's, I took it as a point of pride that I didn't own any abercrombie clothes. Something about them I just didn't like. My friends all wore their clothes. But I was in retro phase then. My wardrobe consisted of mixing in old clothes from Structure that I got from a neighbor's garage sale who had saved stuff from the 90's. That brand had a cool aesthetic during the 90's.

[@ACwebseries]

I remember when AF sold high-end fashion and accessories for the outdoors. It was the Brooks Brothers of outdoor gear. In the 80s, when preppy fever reached its height it was cool to buy from AF if you could find their catalog or a store. In the early 90s, AF became more commercial, ditched the outdoor stuff. Their landmark moment came by creating their very homoerotic, preppy, fratboy coffee table catalogs, shot by Bruce Weber, who basically recreated his Bear Pond books for AF. Hot, fit guys doing preppy outdoor things together almost naked. So they now had the gay’s attention. Then they added women and women’s wear to the catalog. At least in the later campaigns I remember people of color included in the catalog, not equally, but in proportion with the general population. The photographs were great, but the clothes were now on par with the GAP. I didn’t know many gay guys who bought their clothes. I guess it’s when they had stores, straight guys started buying. The Aryan look they had in their stores was creepy. They should have caught up with their divirsity by then.

[@joeysweeney262]

I worked there once. The Boston location, one of their biggest. It was 2016-2017 so it was after the rebrand. The employees were a diverse group of people. It wasn't until sometime in 2017 where they STARTED selling women's plus sizes. It wasn't even plus sizes really....just sizes 10 and 12 maximum. The white managers and white security did however racially profile people, and the managers were extremely judgemental in how their employees looked. I had a manager tell me to go home because I was having a bad acne breakout (I was an awkward 18 year old at the time). Abercombie is still huge in Europe and Asia, but DEF not in America lol.

[@makingmymark898]

What drives me crazy with restaurants and other companies,especially during pride month. They don’t show any support until they see dollar signs during Pride, Pride flags go up and other merchandise related to pride hit the shelves.

[@leoprg5330]

Just came to this video after watching the documentary on Netflix. It's interesting that A&F kept their logos on stuff in some other than USA markets, Fierce cologne sold here still looks as it used to in the US. A&F came here much later, people don't know it's past. They just like the quality of the materials and see their image simply as aspirational, sort of preppy leisure, active.. there are no stores, everything is sold online, so no disriminatory practices here..

[@davoncochran5526]

I don't shop at Abercrombie. However, I don't see an issue with this company making a pivot in the right direction. Completely new leadership has been brought in. I think the clothes look great. My style is more Theory, Club Monaco, and Vince but for teens and those shopping on a budget, Abercrombie is a good fit.

[@CastelliR14]

I worked in Abercrombie and Hollister (the same mall, they shared employees due to shortages) in 2011-2013. I was also 17 and clueless, but always loved Br*ce W*ber's aesthetic and the magic the company brought to life in their lifestyle branding. My head store manager was a 29 year old gay man with a husband, and he rolled his eyes at Abercrombie's "rules". He hired a diverse cast of managers and floor models who were queer, BIPOC, all body types, etc. and I made some of my first amazing queer friends and role models (South Carolina was rough in that department). We followed the important rules that weren't bs (and the aesthetic ones when management came in) but otherwise we all had a lot of fun learning about retail, trying on clothes, and worked hard to keep the store looking good and selling as much as it could. It was a great experience thanks to the queerness and diversity of the team and I look back with nothing but fond memories. This happened in the height of the Mike Jeffries takedown, and we all watched the news together in awe while at the store.

[@Papaya48]

They changed . That good. What you need them to do more?

[@lacuachaero]

Wow I love your chair where did you buy that?

[@cedie121213]

ok what! I need that shirt mark!

[@JuanMcelroy1985]

Love your shirt where’s it from??

[@patrickdeady410]

The store in Fort Wayne at Glenbrook Mall has been closed for years. I doubt that the company is even close to the size it was during the Jeffries time frame. Pretty sure they had many, many retail stores that were shuttered.

[@sadem1045]

I told an A&F employee (who seemed to be in her early 20s) that she should see White Hot. I told her this because she seemed young enough that she probably didn't remember what the store was like in the 2000s and definitely didn't know about its early years (freaking Hemingway was an Abercrombie customer for Pete's sake!!!).

[@loveFFKamloops]

I have not bought anything at Abercrombie in years ! Only recently when I saw the rainbow heart you showed on a previous instagram reel ! When ppl ask me where I got the t shirt I tell them at the Gap😝😝😝

[@belizeguy]

Very interesting. As for me, if I am in the USA to visit. I buy from Goodwill, or wait to buy here in Mexico. This was a neat video.

[@Tommaso_Squarzoni]

Love Ya Dude ♥️

[@drken1332]

Apropos of nothing, I just got one of your "You are magic!" hoodies. Absolutely love it. Exceedingly comfortable. And you were spot on about the size. Really nice piece if kit. Many thanks! xxx

[@marty88ish]

I have to say I was blinded by the beautiful guys and loved the Bruce Weber photography back then. I had no idea of what was happening behind the scenes.

[@lloyd2364]

Sending love from new Zealand mark your adorale and have a sweet smile

[@user-iu5fi2qk6b]

I absolutely love Abercrombie and fitch. I purchase all my Abercrombie on poshmark though. I pay a fraction on the cost this way. Hate em or love em their clothes are very wel made.

[@rickweiss2793]

Same! But I get the vintage 90’S-early 2K Abercrombie clothing because of how high quality and durable it is/was. Idk about you, but I truly believe that modern day A&F has lost its identity and the quality of their clothing is fast fashion junk. Albeit just with a higher price tag!

[@user-iu5fi2qk6b]

@@rickweiss2793 totally agree! The quality of the early Abercrombie and fitch is so good. Made out of durable material. The newer Abercrombie is a totally different vibe. The quality level went down as the years went by.

[@rickweiss2793]

@@user-iu5fi2qk6b Unfortunately, now days it’s quantity over quality. But maybe if companies start realizing that more and more consumers prefer clothing that stands the test of time, and are being thrifty due to economic issues, the message might get through to them. Here’s to hoping.✌️☺️

[@rileyjoseph3689]

i shopped at Abercrombie for the first time in my 24 years the other day after doing a project about their former ceo. I LOVED the items but the fit was weird so i returned all of it lol.

[@barron204]

A&F is no longer in my country, but some items are available through other retailers.

[@mitchellquartero]

What are your thoughts on the us supreme court’s ruling against Abercrombie and fitch back in 2015

[@Tom-sg4iv]

Yes! Just because their fabrics are so soft, without comparison.

[@ikarmic]

I haven't been in an Abercrombie & Fitch store in 20 years. I did like their clothes, but thought they were overpriced, so I never actually bought anything from them

[@250Rem]

I normally shop at Belk which is backed in my state also North Carolina or shop cheap FaceTime stores that you were talking about I really feel uncomfortable going into the store I still don’t like going to them so I’m trying to give me the heebie-jeebies sometimes who knows

[@cristiandepaulafavaro4590]

I loved the video

[@XzTS-Roostro]

My sisters used to shop at Hollister, AE, and Aéropostale back when we were in high school, even buying some of their stuff for me as gifts, which I didn't really care, even for a closeted gay guy.

[@tallnlankyrn]

You know that meme trend, you are my Heartstopper, well you were my Hearstopper Mark! Any chance you could react to the show?

[@Noelia1582]

List of your favorites documentaries please

[@Sebastian-wz1wh]

corporates are always trying to adapt to the current political climate

[@dalmatianluvr]

They are "gay-washing" right now. It's a week before LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. Look again for the same representation on their website and ads in August or Fall or January. Will you see any differences?

[@mikedemarchelier9090]

I never understood the appeal myself, I went in a few times, saw some no-name made in China crap with HUGE markups, thought the staff was affected and ridiculous, so I never bought anything in there! I don’t mind paying for good quality items, but I won’t buy into a “manufactured lifestyle” because this stuff is not going to all of a sudden make me feel like I’m Lane or Kyle (Carlson) circa 1992! Before buying anything, you should always consider a few important factors: where was this made? Is it good value for the money? Is it eco-responsible? Or is it just a cheap shirt I’ll wear a couple of times and then throw on top of the pile of other cheap stuff at the back of the closet? If it’s defective, will they stand by their product and replace/refund said product? Who am I giving my money to here? Do I like how they treat their employees, and are they well paid? Or is it made in sweatshops somewhere by children who were sold into slavery by desperate/greedy parents? Am I ready to use this item for many years and not create more landfill, and waste more resources, just because I wanted that “fun logo shirt that was only 10 bucks”? Sure, you’ll pay more but if you buy a good quality item from a reputable manufacturer (who’s not all about hype and no substance), chances are you’ll enjoy that item for many years to come, and you won’t have to shop as much.

[@Y5Warrior]

I use to work at Abrecrombie and I remember my manager had me come from the back to work the front and followed me around the store.

[@ryananderson6728]

I tried to work there and Hollister when I was in high school. This is back in 2010 or so. They told me I was too ugly to work there. Hollister hired my sister as a diversity hire. She left shortly.

[@yaidesantiagogarcia7085]

that's so harshhhh 🤭 That's so horrible that it's funny. 2010 was like living in a satirical reality, if you weren't white and wealthy. Side note: there's a good chance you aren't ugly and just experienced being brown in 2010.

[@kojishimizo]

u re the best!

[@SFVone]

Wow that IG for A&F just feels like a huge virtue signal. Anyway, I've only been into that place once because an employee was standing outside and said I should come in. Everyone saying 'Hi' 'How's it going' creeped me out honestly. Felt so fake. Looked at the prices and I was out in maybe 3 minutes.

[@baobabs727]

Everyone and I do mean everyone is virtue signaling nowadays. Don’t you know?

[@lespalmer3426]

I like the old Abercrombie marketing. Abercrombie has always (at least mid 90’s on) been gay friendly.

[@MichaelDJ68]

I always felt (in the '90s when I cared) that I could get the same look from cheaper brands, but those stores were darn attractive to a young gay man with all those beautiful giant black and white photos of shirtless college boys decorating the walls. I once had an A&F baseball cap as a gift, but as it happens, I only window shopped there. Glad to know they are working at diversifying.

[@gfatreak2]

Does Abercrombie still exist? 😅 Hollister and Abercrombie disappeared from Germany like completely a couple years ago. Wow

[@richardchen7062]

We love to see it

[@trezeis]

So I've always been like a big person and i remember that A&F didn't have plus sizes in store they were online only and so i would buy some online but would have to return because the sizing was all wrong like I did compare but wearing an XXL felt like wearing a Medium to me lol.

[@chanceriekkola2076]

victoria sercret did the same thing and to be honest a lot of stores did

[@AugustEverywhere]

I feel we need to document it all, good or bad - all should be exposed, though I do agree that the negative is sensationalized over the positive.

[@gabrielncali8999]

Mark, great that you covered this! Glad you watched to doc. Interesting to hear your story of how you worked there! thanks! 👊👍 Btw, your comment about A&F including ‘the gays’ it’s just a corporate sponsor for the gays. . .

[@johnvictorvaldez592]

My friends nephew was a model for A&F and he was ask how to spell the word Duh! And he spelled it 412, go figure.

[@anthonywatts2033]

A company that listens and changes is one that will survive. Like it -shop it; don't like it- don't shop it.

[@joshuadavidjoseph7531]

You would love Waterbear. Look up "pink washing" too.

[@tigaspinoypower]

The reason for me to buy AnF in the mid 80s n 90s and 2000 when i was a young adult is about the quality 👌 i do kept 2 boxes full of my vintage anf specially my hoodies now they resurfaced 😅😅😅to use it again well some are a bit tight n i need to loose weight 😅😅😅

[@FredvonMunich]

When I was younger, I travelled to London UK to go to the A&F shop near Oxford Street, because they do not had shops in Europe like France or Germany. I only go there because I wanted to see with my eyes the half naked guys ☺️😊 I know which wouldn’t 🤣 but I also bot clothes… Anyway… It was weird to see that, but after have watched the documentary I understand much more the whole story. To conclude, I would go again to such shop, just by curiosity to see if they really change…. And I agree with you, „private“ means everything and nothing 🤣🤣

[@SABOREAME68]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Mark, regarding Abercrombie & Fitch I say "A Tiger cannot change its stripes" Therefore, one can't change one's essential nature. Stay Safe & Healthy... Abrazos

[@milescumminski8077]

I think all the mall stores are in trouble. Malls are closing at a record pace.

[@fasciab8886]

have not shopped at Abercrombie.

[@hithere1590]

Never!

[@kodyjbosch1]

You're hilarious, and your smile is infectious! 😊 - I grew up white tr*sh in trailer parks of The Great Pacific Northwest wearing hand me downs, but at times different family members would buy me something Abercrombie - a shirt , pants, cologne or whatever - I remember liking the bag all that crap came in most of all... ;) Mmmmmmhhhhmmmm...lol! My first boyfriend loved A+F back in the dark ages of my youth...and he would drag me in there, he looooovvvved the mall. God bless him! I think he worked there for a while if I remember correctly...I like new clothes, and shopping - but I always felt like I was suffocating , (a fish out of water!) it made me nervous even to walk by that place with its Aryan Youth looking employees lurking out front trying to draw in their victims...lol! I think that your summation of A+F "gaywashing" is probably very accurate. First they were pandering to the male gayze (some of their photographers have historically been some of the best i will give them that) - and now "gaywashing." if it looks like a duck, smells like a duck, quacks like a duck, etc ...- have a great week Mark! 😊

[@juztina7346]

That t shirt so cool i would love to have one

[@seanyb7210]

I have never bought an Abercrombie shirt or anything like that😂😂 it was always too intense lol

[@jedgeorge3485]

To survive, thy adapt (play the desired, trendy, profit inducing facades).

[@LeonScottKennedy134]

Mark I love your house

[@testing7802]

Abercrombie was a terrible company, but the style was so engrained in the 90s and early 00s. I sort of miss the sweatpants and plaid shirts Anyways, I was a manager there 2010-2011. They were in the middle of trying to recover from lawsuits so the diversity question was nothing but a compliance thing. We asked it but we didn’t give a crap about how anyone answered the questions. The only thing that mattered was a good looking face and someone with enough work ethic to fold clothes all day. We had a “diversity score card” to keep track of how many minorities we hired. If we were low on a race we had to go recruit people from universities and target minorities. However they also still had to have a certain look and based on the “look book” they issued us it was still a very American “white” look. Black people could only have natural fro or straightened hair. No dreads or braids. People with very dark skin were never shown as an example , and the minorities they wanted in the store looked mixed race. We often kept beautiful people in the database even if they didn’t want to work regular hours and we only called them in for regional manager visits when they would audit our store and judge us based on how pretty the staff was. All us managers were jerks because all executive leadership were jerks and shit always trickles down. I had to yell at people for not wearing the clothes or not spraying enough cologne. .. because if you didn’t score well on those audits you would get disciplined. Anyways I’m not proud of my A&F days and they totally are overcompensating now with all the gay love lol!

[@ZaGGa1991]

Thanks Mark it was very interesting. AB&F wasn't and isn't that big in Europe

[@BBQNBLUES]

I wouldn't know about A & F most of my clothes come from the old K-Mart.

[@gregburg9714]

Right on