Abercrombie and Fitch Fifth Avenue Flagship Store Greeters/Models - Call Them Maybe

Store greeters/models of Abercrombie and Fitch flagship store on Fifth Avenue pose for photo at the entrance to the store. The video was posted on youtube by AbercrombieFitchHome to "celebrate the summer popularity of Carly Rae Jepsens's song, 'Call Me Maybe' by asking A and F shirtless store greeters around the world including NYC to film themselves having fun with the song."

Making Waves: Hollister's Second Manhattan Store Opens on Fifth Avenue

video from walkingapple

Hollister opened its second Manhattan store on Fifth Avenue recently. In keeping with the SoCal lifestyle theme, the store's facade features a live video projection of the waves in Huntington Beach, California. The new space has 15,000 square feet, with two floors, a double-height glass storefront, 28-foot ceilings, and of course, shirtless "surfer dudes" and "Betty" store greeters. Hollister Co (HCO or Hollister) is an American lifestyle brand by Abercrombie and Fitch Co. The concept was originally designed to attract consumers aged 14-18 through its Southern California-inspired image and casual wear. The new store is located at 668 Fifth Avenue near 53rd Street.

The ABERCROMBIE & FITCH Shopping Bag, From Bare to Bare-chested

Shoppers on Fifth Avenue carrying A & F shopping bags, October 18, 2009

Bruce Weber photography on A & F shopping bag

A & F Package Design, 1990 (Image from AIGA Design Archives)

Abercrombie and Fitch is known for its racy marketing photography shots by BRUCE WEBER, as exemplified by the design of the shopping bag. Grayscale photographs of bare-chested men and scantily-clad women are common aspects of the design. Bruce Weber is an American fashion photographer and filmmaker. He is best known for his ad campaigns for Calvin Klein, Pirelli, Abercrombie and Fitch, Revlon, Versace and Ralph Lauren. He has published several books that have become collectibles, and has contributed to magazines including Vogue, GQ, Vanity Fair, Elle, Life, Interview and Rolling Stone.

111 SHIRTLESS MEN INVADE ABERCROMBIE AND FITCH

Video from IMPROV EVERYWHERE

Having posted photos of shirtless male models/greeters at the Abercrombie and Fitch Flagship Store on Fifth Avenue (see October 12 posting), I thought it's amusing to feature IMPROVEVERYWHERE's latest mission. Last October 13th, 111 shirtless men (they're not models of course) caused a scene at the store when they shopped shirtless. Very funny.

From the ImprovEverywhere website:
Improv Everywhere causes scenes of chaos and joy in public places. Created in August of 2001 by Charlie Todd, Improv Everywhere has executed over 60 missions involving hundreds of undercover agents. The group is based in New York City.

Abercrombie and Fitch Flagship Store Fifth Avenue Store Greeters/Models: Most viewed Flickr images

Of all the images that I have posted on FLICKR, these photos that I took of some of the ABERCROMBIE & FITCH greeters/models at the A & F FIFTH AVENUE FLAGSHIP STORE are among the most viewed.

ABERCROMBIE and FITCH Flagship Store Fifth Avenue Store Greeters: Undressed for Success

Bare-chestedness should be the antithesis of clothing. At Abercrombie and Fitch, it is part of the marketing strategy. And it seems to work. At the firm’s always crowded (and loud like a nightclub) flagship store on Fifth Avenue, I took photos of some of the scantily clad models or greeters (I really don’t know what to call them) who pace under moody low lights at the entrance. Half-naked or donning a coat, depending on the weather, they flash their nice smile or pout and pose for photographs. A and F is probably one of the most controversial clothing firm in the country. The chain's once legendary and sexually-charged quarterly magazine A and F had to be dropped when several US states claimed it was glorifying soft pornography through famed photographer Bruce Weber's images of naked young men and women. The company was once boycotted by Asian-Americans when it introduced T-shirts caricaturing ethnic groups. One depicts smiling figures in conical hats, and featured the slogan "Wong Brothers Laundry Service - Two Wongs Can Make It White." At one time, concerned citizens protested against a line of thong underwear sold for girls in pre-teen sizes and including phrases like "Eye Candy." Through all of this controversy, A&F continues to become a success.