Sexually Explicit Catalog: Abercrombie and Fitch Lets It All Hang Out
The Lieutenant Governor of Illinois is leading a boycott of the latest sexually explicit catalog put out by the popular clothing manufacturer Abercrombie and Fitch.
With its latest attempt to push the envelope of appropriateness for a clothing catalog, Abercrombie and Fitch has drawn the ire of politicians and moral activists all over the country. The catalog, which is scheduled to hit the stands on Friday, is laden with sexually suggestive poses, some nudity, as well as "accounts" and "stories" from college students and teens, which represent the clothing manufacturer's target market segment.
Illinois lieutenant governor Corinne Wood has written on the Illinois state web site that "Abercrombie and Fitch is peddling soft porn in the guise of a clothing catalog." Those sentiments are being echoed in other parts of the country as well and the fact that Bruce Weber was enlisted to head the project has not helped to put out any fires. Weber, known in the industry as a master of homoerotic photography, has put together what Abercrombie & Fitch is calling "The Best and the Brightest."
Wood went on to note that "Abercrombie and Fitch is glamorizing indiscriminate sexual behavior that unsophisticated teenagers are not possibly equipped to weigh against the dangers of date rape, unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted disease." Abercrombie and Fitch has responded to the charges, saying that their publication is responsibly and tastefully produced and that it is required that buyers of the catalog produce ID that verifies a minimum age of 18 years. While that measure is admirable, it doesn't seem likely to assuage the fears and concerns of those who are looking at the bigger picture.
Illinois lieutenant governor Corinne Wood has written on the Illinois state web site that "Abercrombie and Fitch is peddling soft porn in the guise of a clothing catalog." Those sentiments are being echoed in other parts of the country as well and the fact that Bruce Weber was enlisted to head the project has not helped to put out any fires. Weber, known in the industry as a master of homoerotic photography, has put together what Abercrombie & Fitch is calling "The Best and the Brightest."
Wood went on to note that "Abercrombie and Fitch is glamorizing indiscriminate sexual behavior that unsophisticated teenagers are not possibly equipped to weigh against the dangers of date rape, unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted disease." Abercrombie and Fitch has responded to the charges, saying that their publication is responsibly and tastefully produced and that it is required that buyers of the catalog produce ID that verifies a minimum age of 18 years. While that measure is admirable, it doesn't seem likely to assuage the fears and concerns of those who are looking at the bigger picture.
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