Abercrombie & Fitch: the Altering of Cultural Norms

Abercrombie & Fitch: The Altering of Cultural Norms

A Senior Project Presented to The Faculty of the Communication Studies Department California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Bachelor of Arts By Emily Nichole Pahler

Dr. Bernard Duffy Senior Project Advisor

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T. C. Winebrenner Department Chair

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©2009 Emily Nichole Pahler

TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction……………………………………………………………………………........1 Justification……………………………………………………………………………........1 Critical Method Described………………………………………………………………….4 Object of Criticism…………………………………………………………………..…….13 Interpretation of A&F………………………………………………………………..…….16 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………21 Works Cited…………………………………………………………………………..........23 Appendices………………………………………………………………………………...26

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INTRODUCTION Abercrombie and Fitch is a store that targets a specific audience to make their customers feel young and beautiful. The young adult population is lured into stores like Abercrombie and Fitch because of the store’s sex appeal. Young and beautiful adults are ready at the door ready to greet customers (see figure 1). In order to understand the impact of Abercrombie and Fitch on the young adult population, semiotics, the media, research studies and autoethnography will be utilized. Nonverbal and verbal communication is also analyzed throughout this paper through visual aids and marketing tag lines. The persuasive advertising and marketing techniques used by Abercrombie and Fitch suggest the degree to which sexually explicit visual stimuli alter cultural norms. JUSTIFICATION Abercrombie and Fitch was established by David T. Abercrombie in 1892 as highend outfitter of sporting and excursion goods. The store began going downhill in 1960 and was bought by Michael S. Jeffries in 1988. Since 1988, Abercrombie and Fitch has created a body culture that implies and promotes sexual and erotic