The Gift That Could Have Been...

Yes, America was the birthplace of Abercrombie & Fitch... Unfortunately our mailing systems can't even deliver an A&F Gift properly...

The Gift Box which arrived on 29 November 2011 via FedEx. | Image created and owned by C.E.R.

Our Abercrombie Boy-Toy at Düsseldorf Promo Event!

It's now a tradition of ours to spot this guy - Chris - at Abercrombie & Fitch promotional events! We call him "Our Abercrombie Boy-Toy" out of cheek because he's always there to heat things up!  And A&F always makes sure that he's in the photos it posts on Facebook for the fans. You all love him; he's always popular among The Sitch on Fitch readers and so we can only oblige...

Here are the shots of our Boy-Toy at the promotional event for Abercrombie & Fitch in Düsseldorf!

As mentioned in the Abercrombie & Fitch in Düsseldorf... The Countdown Begins! post, Chris wears the MacIntyre Bridge coat, $250 USD, which you can see (here) on abercrombie.com in the United States. (Germany now has its own abercrombie.com and Germans can not access the American website). Chris, and all the other models, also wear the Esther Mountain plaid shirt, $78 USD, which you can check out (here) on abercrombie.com. Both items are really nice, but expect them to be even more expensive inside A&F Düsseldorf because of international price mark-ups...

Very cool! The Abercrombie & Fitch Düsseldorf flagship store opens on Thrusday, December 1 at 10:00 (Central European Time). Donnerstag, Dezember 1 - 10:00...

Stay FIERCE!

All photos in this post are by Abercrombie & Fitch (images source).

Abercrombie & Fitch in Düsseldorf... The Countdown Begins!

Up close and personal, Germany's first FIERCE flagship has got everyone excited! | (image source)

While everyone in America was going crazy inside Abercrombie & Fitch stores nationwide over the Black Friday promotional day, FIERCE fans on the other side of the Atlantic crowed outside the front of the future Abercrombie & Fitch Düsseldorf flagship store on Königsallee 17. Some of the the hottest A&F guys lined up outside on the "Kö" to promote the opening of the first ever A&F in Germany!

The Abercrombie & Fitch Düsseldorf flagship store will be offering up to 2,000 square meters (about 21,500 square feet) of FIERCE shopping paradise! Not only will it be housing Abercrombie & Fitch, but it will also have abercrombie kids under the same roof! This will make A&F Düsseldorf the only other location in the world, apart from A&F Milan, to house both brands! Naturally, every one of Abercrombie's German fans are dying with the anticipation to see the doors swing open! Seriously, for months, thousands of people have been awaiting for the big day! And now, as the big day draws ever nearer, its time to get FIERCE!

As tradition calls, Abercrombie & Fitch rolled out the beefcake in the morning of November 25, one week before the opening of its flagship store, to promote the event with youth and sex appeal! Düsseldorf may not have gotten 101 models like Paris and Madrid, but the 40 guys that did swagger out, in their A&F jeans and flip-flops, were nevertheless enough to heat things up! News reporters, along with camera men, were all up close to get coverage of everything...including those six-pack abs! But they weren't the only ones getting chummy with the hotties. Fans came up to the guys and had their pictures taken with full cheek and fun!

Chris at A&F Düsseldorf.

Oh, and of course, our Abercrombie Boy-Toy Chris was there! Told you he was going to be there! He wears the MacIntyre Bridge coat, $250 USD, which you can see (here) on abercrombie.com in the United States. (Germany now has its own abercrombie.com and Germans can not access the American website).

Want to check out pictures of the promo event? A&F posted its own photos on its official Facebook page and you can see them (here). The German style website Style Ranking has a great set of 32 photos that you can see (here).

The countdown has begun!!! Abercrombie & Fitch in Düsseldorf opens on Thrusday, December 1 at 10:00 (Central European Time)!!!

Stay FIERCE!

_____________________

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A&F DÜSSELDORF IS NOW OPEN!

 

Read Germany's Gotten FIERCE! Abercrombie & Fitch in Düsseldorf Now Open!

Pressure's Building Up to a Never-Before-Seen Black Friday!

A FIERCE consumer bacchinalia is approaching...and these are your hosts! | (image source)

So, yesterday, on November 22, Abercrombie & Fitch jammed the Fifth Avenue flagship with some of the buffest guys New York has to offer up! Seriously, A&F Fifth Avenue hasn't been that packed with Abercrombie boys since the flagship's private opening celebration party back in November 2005! Now in 2011, Abercrombie & Fitch is pumping up its fans as it gears up to offer an unforgettable Black Friday on November 25! ...Could there be any more exclamation points...YES!

This is the first time ever that A&F has given so much attention to Black Friday! Before the late-2000s recession, there were no promotions, no sales, no "parties." People just came into A&F regardless because the aspirational image of the brand kept them coming - sales or no sales. During the recession, A&F continued its same practices and suffered as a result. Christmas 2008 was among one of the worst ever here in North America. The "aspirational" image was not enough for consumers who now shopped carefully. 2010 brought in a change because it was then when the Company got off its high horse and began rolling out the promotions and sales while hyping up its fans with cool contests and such. All of this has built up to now... Now that consumers are spending more, every retailer, not just Abercrombie & Fitch, is doing its ultimate best to make this a very profitable season...and it all kicks off on Black Friday!

Not only is A&F promising hot models at the entrances of virtually all of its stores (including HCo and Gilly Hicks) on November 25, but it is also opening a massive number of its locations at midnight! And that is unprecedented! It's totally epic and it's getting everyone excited for Black Friday like never before in the history of Abercrombie & Fitch! Tomorrow at 7:00pm (Eastern Standard Time), the brands are gonna dish out on what they've been keeping under wraps - killer promotions and prices. Again, unlike anything the Company has ever done before!

And in our excitement for Black Friday, we should at least take time to sympathize and appreciate all the poor store models who have to work at A&F, Hollister, and Gilly Hicks from midnight and on all morning long...bless their hottie butts!

Stay FIERCE!

P.S. This is the last post before Thanksgiving, and so I want to wish you all a very joyful Thanksgiving Day! And I'm gonna be busy shopping on Friday!!! ...See you at A&F? L.O.L. Have fun everyone and enjoy it! - C.E.R., editor-in-chief

And if you get caught up in a wave of cool...These dude's will keep ya even cooler!
HCo EPIC November 22 event. | (image source)

* The majority of stores will be opening at midnight. However, some are not. Exact store hours vary so check your nearest Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister Co, and Gilly Hicks store for their Black Friday schedule.

Gilly Hicks to Join Hollister on Regent Street!

83-97 Regent Street as seen on Google Maps. The "Explore it" was a part of the National Geographic store.
The arch on the right is Swallow Street. HCo will occupy the area with the three black windows on the right.
The three windows on the left of the image is where Gilly Hicks will be located.
The white box highlights the future entrance to the store.

The news is out! Gilly Hicks, the Cheeky Cousin of Abercrombie & Fitch, will be joining Hollister on Regent Street!

Abercrombie & Fitch acquired 83-97 Regent Street - originally occupied by National Geographic - back the summer of 2011, and it is now planning on dividing the location into two separate retail spots for its two brands. The Hollister store will occupy the left-hand half portion on the corner of Regent Street and Swallow Street. The Gilly Hicks store, meanwhile, will occupy the right-hand half. (Hopefully that gives you all a visual idea). We've got you a look at the ground floor plans which you can see (here).

Since the planned HCo location will be an EPIC flagship store, it could be possible that this upcoming GH location might be a flagship. If it is true, then that would make the GH Regent Street location the world's first Gilly Hicks flagship store. The location is, after all, on a prominent shopping street in central London - only flagships are given such spots. However, that GH Regent Street will be a flagship has not been confirmed and it is merely speculation on our part.

The HCo EPIC is planned to open in the first half of 2012 - likely sometime after March during the spring season. More-than-likely, Gilly Hicks will also open during that time frame if not on the same date (yet unknown). As reported in our Hollister on Regent Street...So Awesome It's Gonna be EPIC! post, tourism and consumer traffic will be increasing in London as anticipation mounts for the 2012 London Olympics. Thus, the openings of the HCo and GH locations will fall perfectly in time for when the city will be jammed with a greater increase of worldwide tourism - pretty important for international locations...

Overall, this will be huge for the Gilly Hicks brand! Hollister is a world-renowned brand which attracts massive consumer activity. Thus, by opening right beside the upcoming HCo EPIC flagship store in London, Gilly Hicks will be gaining attention that will carry its brand awareness to an even greater audience worldwide. The upcoming opening of this GH store furthermore shows the importance of the international market for the brand. And in terms of growth, the overseas markets have so far been offering opportunities that have been otherwise stagnant in the American home market. By the second half of 2012, Gilly Hicks will be operating three stores in the United Kingdom (two in greater London, one in Wales) and one in Germany. Those four international shops will help determine the future potential growth of Gilly Hicks...

Gilly Hicks on Regent Street is going to be totally amazing! The wonderful retail presentation, that is the romanticism of the Land of Down Undies, will be showcasing its beauty to the world in a perfectly stunning location! There are loads more details that are yet to be revealed and, as they leak out, you'll definitely be kept in the know here on The Sitch on Fitch!

Stay FIERCE!

UPDATE (5 April 2012): this Gilly Hicks location has been confirmed as the first GH flagship store! It will be opening doors on MAY 12! Read this for more info: Hollister and Gilly Hicks on Regent Street, London Opening May 12!!!


UPDATE (30 January 2012): The A&F London flagship on Savile Row has begun promoting the opening of HCo and GH on Regent Street. The locations will be opening in late-March!

Abercrombie Forewarns... Prices Are Going Up, Fellow Americans!

Lookin' hot in hoodies is soon gonna cost you more.
Photo created and owned by C.E.R., The Sitch on Fitch

Just to give everyone a heads up in the States, Abercrombie & Fitch is planning a "modest" raise in price points....

The decision comes from a problem in maintaining profitability while unit costs - costs including everything from the production to selling of an item - have risen in the double-digits. Increases have been carefully followed since early-2011. Maintaining standard price points in the States, A&F raised prices for its goods in international markets while believing that this would make up for the rise in costs. That continued to ensure revenue growth in America: sales were up 14% for the third quarter (Q3) of fiscal 2011. On the other hand, international revenue continued to grow but at 56% for Q3. It slowed compared to the 74% growth for Q2. Although "macroeconomic headwinds" - challenges against progress in the economy - are blamed for this decrease in international growth, the pricing plan nevertheless "backfired."

And so now prices will also be increased in the American market to make up for rising costs. This price increase for the Abercrombie and Hollister brands will take effect during 2012. A&F maintains that it will be a "modest" rise...so don't fret! The slight rise is planned to help achieve better profit margins. We'll see how things turn out...

Stay FIERCE!

P.S. Incidentally, Abercrombie & Fitch updated its North American price tags for Back-to-School 2011 to include two "tear-off" pieces - one printed with the Canadian price and the other with the US price. Just a random fact.

Sorrentino vs. Abercrombie & Fitch... The Situation Gets FIERCE!

"Peace" is the last thing on The Situation's mind right now. | (image source)

Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino has made it clear that he is not to be played with, Abercrombie boys & girls! Along with his MPS Entertainment LLC, The Situation filed a lawsuit within the Southern District of Florida of the United States District Court on November 15 against Abercrombie & Fitch - no joke! Officially titled MPS Entertainment LLC et al v. Abercrombie & Fitch Stores, Inc., the lawsuit charges A&F of 15:1114 trademark infringement - the "reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or colorable imitation of a registered trademark in connection with the sale, offering for sale, distribution, or advertising of any goods" likely to create confusion among consumers. Basically, A&F is accused of taking the image of Mike "The Situation" and having incorporated it into its commercial practices for profit.

Woa, what?! Yes. What was meant to be a "joke" in part of Abercrombie & Fitch back in August has now escalated into a courtroom battle. Mike "The Situation" did not take A&F's public relations joke lightly about him being a "concern" that could "cost significant damage to [Abercrombie & Fitch]." After all, A&F had no problem with Sorrentino when A&F stores began selling tees bearing phrases like "The Fitchuation" and "G.T.L. You Know The Deal" back in Summer 2010. The August 2011 'Abercrombie & Fitch Proposes a Win-Win Situation' news release was complete stunt, a stupid joke, that backfired and now has A&F pinned against Sorrentino...

"Starting August 2011, Defendant (the company) [Abercrombie & Fitch] embarked on a grand, worldwide advertising campaign using Sorrentino's name, image, and likeness to create a brand awareness for its products by falsely claiming that [the] Defendant had offered money to Sorrentino if he would stop wearing [the] Defendant's goods." - as quoted by MSNBC.com

Claiming that it was "a grand, worldwide advertising campaign" may sound completely over-the-top. However, keep in mind that Abercrombie & Fitch did announce the August 2011 stunt as a news release and promoted it on its official Facebook page (which had more than 5 million 'likes' worldwide at the time). Immediately, the whole thing made media headlines and went global! Everyone was talking about it - even people who don't even care about A&F - here in the States, particularly, and that is "brand awareness" in itself...

Straight up, Abercrombie & Fitch has benefited from its scandalous run-ins with Sorrentino - all of which A&F instigated - but the allegations of trademark infringement are disputable. (Well, duh! That's what court's for!) A&F did sell tees, bearing "The Fitchuation" and "GTL," inspired by the popularity (or, rather, notoriety) of Sorrentino's public image. However, "The Situation" and "GTL" were not legal trademarks at the time when the A&F tees were being sold and Sorrentino's application for trademark protection was dismissed by September 2010. Sorrentino is also suing another company for using "GTL," but that defendant stands on the grounds that, although he filed for a trademark, Sorrentino has no exclusive rights to "GTL." Nevertheless, pertaining to Abercrombie & Fitch, Sorrentino is pushing ahead with his lawsuit, not merely because of the usage of "The Situation" and "GTL," but because of the deliberate implementation of his "trademark" image in A&F advertising and promotion: he is asking that A&F be ordered to "pay [him] three times damages" and to "pay a reasonable royalty in the amount of $1 million plus exemplary and or punitive damages in the amount of $3 million."

As of now, A&F has yet to respond to the lawsuit, but we'll definitely keep you posted on the matter!

Stay FIERCE!

Hollister on Regent Street... So Awesome It's Gonna Be EPIC!

83-97 Regent Street as seen on Google Maps. The "Explore it" was a part of the National Geographic store.
The gate on the right is a pathway to Swallow Street.
Image used here for illustrative purposes only.

Hollister has been causing massive waves of SoCal cool all across the United Kingdom since it first opened shop back in October 2008. As a sign of its crazy success, HCo now operates more than 20 of its signature surfshop-inspired stores throughout all of the UK. Well, plans for expansion are still in place as the brand furthers its retail footprint. However, no other opening will be as EPIC as what's heading for next near...

Bold and determined, Abercrombie & Fitch is gearing up to open its first ever Hollister flagship store in the United Kingdom! The location will make HCo's first ever central London location and will be based on the "EPIC" flagship store prototype which first opened back in July 2009 in New York City.

Strategically placed retail locations are a mark of Abercrombie & Fitch which wanted to ensure a key spot for its HCo flagship. That perfect spot presented itself when National Geographic gave up its lease on 83-97 Regent Street. Reportedly, the retail space - 20,000 square feet (about 1,858 square meters) - was too big and expensive for the National Geographic Society to continue operating. Thus NG moved out of what was its first ever store. And because of the shortage of "good space" in London's West End, companies circled in like hungry sharks! Abercrombie & Fitch battled others for the lease to 83-97 Regent Street! It all came down to who could offer the best of what they've got and Abercrombie & Fitch won the hell outta everyone else! As Property Week told, "[Abercrombie & Fitch] is understood to have agreed to pay a significant premium..." The result made headlines in the retail and property industries. A&F's moves in Europe are carefully followed and industry analysts pay close attention to Regent Street...

Named after Prince Regent (King George IV of the United Kingdom), Regent Street was a part of the first planned development projects of London and was completed in 1825. Right from the start, the street was envisioned as a commercial thoroughfare. Many of the original buildings lining the street were the creation of the notable architect John Nash. However, the structures Nash built were deemed unsuitable and questionably stable by the end of the century. As a result, the modern Regent Street you see today is the result of its 1895-1927 redevelopment by the Crown Estate (which still owns the majority of Regent Street). The street was a rather lame shopping pavement until the opening of the UK's first Apple Store. The Apple Store is said to have revolutionized Regent Street because, after the opening, loads of other international popular brands began to line the street as well. Today, Regent Street is one of Europe's great shopping streets.

But come 2012, Regent Street may have upon itself yet another transformation - a destination for the young with the coming of laid-back chill and SoCal cool! EPIC in London will be opening in the first half of that year...Spring 2012. The HCo flagship could have opened during Christmas 2012; it's the most profitable time of the year for the brand and Regent's Christmas lights displays bring in loads of people. However, Abercrombie & Fitch has perfectly scheduled the opening of EPIC at a time when the anticipation for the London 2012 Olympics begins! By August 2012, all eyes will be turned towards an exciting tourist-jammed London. Being that Regent Street is a key shopping street, these tourists will most certainly be spending time on it and Hollister's EPIC location will be the main consumer attraction!

Anyone completely stoked about this?! The Olympics...the attractions...HCo's flagship! London is gonna be totally EPIC!

Stay FIERCE!

UPDATE (5 April 2012): the HCo EPIC flagship on Regent Street will be opening doors on MAY 12! Read this for more info: Hollister and Gilly Hicks on Regent Street, London Opening May 12!!!

UPDATE (22 November 2011): 83-97 Regent Street will divided into separate stores - one for Hollister and one for Gilly Hicks. We've got you a look at the ground floor plans which you can see (here). Read Gilly Hicks to Join Hollister on Regent Street! for info on the GH store.

UPDATE (30 January 2012): The A&F London flagship on Savile Row has begun promoting the opening of HCo and GH on Regent Street. The locations will be opening in March!

A Post-Thanksgiving of a Thousand Hot Guys!

Our dear old American holiday - Thanksgiving Day - is only two weeks away! Surely, many of you have loads to be greatful for...life is a gift and everyday is a blessing. It's all very nice, thanksgiving. Personally, I can't wait for it to be over - sorry! - because it's on the following day when the FIERCE holiday craze officially begins!!!

On Friday, November 25, Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister Co will deck the halls with only the hottest guys to greet its awesome fans! A&F and HCo stores all over the United States will have their own personal store greeter to welcome in everyone during the big day! (International locations already have store greeters so this isn't a biggie for you Europeans and Japanese). After all, Novemeber 25 is Black Friday here in the States; it's the day when everyone steamrolls into their favorite shopping centers looking for the best deals on what will make for the perfect holiday gifts. More specifically, it's gonna be an unforgettable day for all FIERCE and SoCal fans! You've gotta head on over to Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister on November 25 to experience a Black Friday unlike ever before...apart from the cool guys at the entrance, expect there to be sweet deals on the hottest looks for the season!

As of now, A&F and HCo are hiring great lookin' guys for the big day.  If you're interested, make sure you've got a set of killer abs!

Stay FIERCE!

UPDATE (12 November 2011): Hey Gilly Hicks Girls! There'll be loads of guys at Gilly stores all across America, too!

UPDATE (21 November 2011): Some A&F and HCo stores may have the misfortune of not getting guys who meet requirements and so those stores won't have store greeters. But that is very rare. Nevertheless, you can call you nearest A&F or HCo if you want to make sure to take a photo with the cool greeters! A&F will be having guys, but HCo will also have girl lifeguards, too.

Comin' Up! Abercrombie & Fitch in Barcelona!

A&F models smile and wave in Madrid...and they're heading over to Barcelona! | (image source)

PLANS FOR THIS FLAGSHIP STORE HAVE BEEN CANCELED

AS OF JANUARY 2012.

THERE WILL NO BE NO A&F BARCELONA.

READ FOR MORE INFO:
Abercrombie & Fitch in Barcelona...FLOORED! And Plans for Europe Shift...

THE FOLLOWING IS THE ORIGINAL POST PUBLISHED WHEN NEWS OF A&F OPENING IN BARCELONA WAS RELEASED IN NOVEMBER 2011.

Abercrombie & Fitch is officially in Spain! The brand has swung doors to its awesome Madrid flagship store, entering the Spanish market, and opening up further retail opportunities. By the end of this year, A&F will be getting the go-ahead to begin structural renovations in what will become the second Abercrombie & Fitch flagship store in Spain...

Joining the list of future A&F cities is Barcelona! So cool, so amazing, Barcelona is now about to get Fitched! A major player in world culture, Barcelona offers up among the best of sun, life, and art. It's the largest city (boasting an urban population of up to 4.5 million people) on the Mediterranean coast and, pertaining to A&F, is a key center of retail and fashion. More to the point, Bacelona is Europe's fourth most visited city, fourth richest city (in terms of GDP), and fourth best business city. So as you can imagine, Barcelona is a very important place!

The Banco Vitalicio building | (image source)

The future flagship store - A&F Barcelona - will be located inside the great and historical Banco Vitalicio de Españia. The building is located at the corner of Paseo de Gracia and Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes. Both streets are among the most prominent in Barcelona. Paseo de Gracia is important in business, retail, and is lined with some of the best architectural structures in Barcelona - Gaudí, Cadafalch, and Montaner are a few of the architects that made their mark on the avenue. In regards to the Gran Via, it is Spain's longest street at 13.1 kilometers (more than 8 miles) long! The Banco Vitalicio building is at the meeting of these two huge thoroughfares and is strategically within one of Barcelona's major commercial districts!

Wanting to make a huge impression in Barcelona, Abercrombie & Fitch is making this yet another monumental location. It will reportedly occupy 3,000 square meters (more than 32,000 square feet) in side the Banco Vitalicio building. These 3,000 square meters will be distributed across four levels of sales space. That will make A&F Barcelona one of the biggest A&F flagships in the world along with A&F Fifth Avenue and A&F Paris! So cool!

As of now, A&F is awaiting permits to begin to transform the space into another one of its completely iconic international spots. Structural renovations usually last for about a year. Thus, the Abercrombie & Fitch Barcelona flagship store could open in late-2012 or possibly early-2013. The Sitch on Fitch will definitely keep you posted as the situation further develops... Very exciting, right?!

Stay FIERCE!

UPDATE (21 January 2012): Abercrombie & Fitch has decided not to go ahead with the opening of its previously planned Barcelona flagship. The Company made the decision to not sign the contract for the location in January 2012. This is completely disappointing news. Read Abercrombie & Fitch in Barcelona...FLOORED! And Plans for Europe Shift... for more information on this news.

Abercrombie in Madrid | An Insightful Interview With a Promo Boy...

Modest and wearing one of his favorites, a classic shirt, store model Enrique poses at A&F Madrid.
Image by GQ Spain magazine | (image source)

During all the excitement caused by the 101 promo boys of Abercrombie & Fitch in Madrid on October 28, GQ Spain magazine pulled one guy out from the bunch of beefcake for an interview for their "Hey, What's Going On, Abercrombie?" article. I'm very lucky I'm fluent in Spanish!

All out shirtless on a chilly Madrilenian morning, Enrique participated in the interview totally open about his experience with Abercrombie & Fitch. The 22 year-old Spaniard is a student of psychology. The article used the word psicopedagogía which threw me off a little because I say psicología for "psychology". Anyway, Enrique says that he was approached by recruiters while he was walking down the street in early-October. They told him they were looking out for people to work at the upcoming Abercrombie & Fitch Madrid flagship store and provided him with an interview for the position of store model...

If you were told that you were wanted as an Abercrombie store model then you'd probably think you're the hottest thing in town! It's understandable, right? Well, Enrique isn't an air head. He made it clear that he was flattered to have been approached as being a part of what A&F sought out for...great-looking guys to represent the brand. Furthermore, he comes across as a modest fellow and shares his opinion that he's not the hottest guy out there - "Estoy seguro" (I'm sure). He notes that he doesn't fit the image of the sensual and rugged Mediterranean Spaniard with dark hair and tan skin with "pelo en pecho" (chest hair). Neither is he Scandinavian-looking, he says. Enrique makes the point that he is merely a part of the diversity of the team. In other words, Enrique states that the criteria for being "good-looking" fit many types for A&F. "[...] He tenido la suerte que se fijaran en mí" / "I've had the luck of being spotted by them," he further shares.

He also commented that "no se busca sólo el fisico" which means "the body is not the only thing sought after." And he is right. At his interview with A&F, Enrique was questioned over his personality. Personality is key at Abercrombie & Fitch. You can be totally hot, but if you're a bitch and socially challenged then you're not gonna get the job. And of course Enrique passed the personality test! He's a really cool guy. He was also asked about Abercrombie & Fitch itself...Enrique has been a fan for quite a while. Not only does he have his own collection of A&F clothes, but he is also a fan of Hollister, too!

Needless to say, Enrique got the job. He states that his job (and that of his peers) is to represent A&F and "montar un poco el show" (pump-up the "show" a little) while not being ridiculously overtly enthusiastic. At the end of his interview with GQ, Enrique was asked about his favorite pieces of A&F clothing. Enrique then says the tees, jeans, and classic shirts... GQ then jokes about the irony that Enrique stands bare-chested throughout the day!

Stay FIERCE!

The Promo Boys of A&F Madrid | "Hey, what's going on?"

FIERCE Madness! Abercrombie & Fitch Madrid Flagship Now Open!

Lined up for the hottest party in town! | Image by GQ Spain | (image source)

Abercrombie & Fitch fans in Madrid (and the rest of Spain) now have the hottest brand on the planet on their very turf... On November 3 at 10:00am (Central European Time), Abercrombie & Fitch swung doors to its incredible Madrid flagship! The opening was marked by a HUGE line of Spaniard fans awaiting to experience for the first time the incredible A&F lifestyle in its full glory just for them!...

Located at Plaza del Marqués del Salamanca 5, on the corner of Salamanca and Calle de Ortega y Gasset, A&F Madrid is among the most luxurious of Abercrombie & Fitch locations. It joins A&F London on Savile Row, A&F Ginza in Tokyo, and A&F Paris on Avenue des Champs-Élysées as the most architecturally noteworthy locations. But, honestly, A&F Madrid is probably the most luxurious of them all! Housed within the opulent Palacio Aguas de Sevilla (English: Palace Waters of Seville), Abercrombie & Fitch in Madrid is where high-class meets Casual Luxury!

Plans for an opening in Madrid began in 2007 after the opening of A&F London. Four years of negotiations and structural renovations went into the realization of Abercrombie & Fitch in Madrid. Madrid - the capital of Spain and its most populous urban center - is another world city worthy of A&F's key international locations. Only the Palacio Aquas de Sevilla on Plaza del Marqués de Salamanca 5 fit the requirements as a perfect showcase for the Abercrombie & Fitch brand. Of course, anticipation built up over the months for the opening! Within early 2011, it was confirmed that A&F would open shop in Spain. The opening date leaked in August and was unofficially confirmed by media sources by October. Abercrombie & Fitch made the opening date official on October 28 by rolling out 101 models to promote the opening and set Madrid on fire!

November 3 went down as another awesome flagship opening! The lights are on, the FIERCE spraying has begun, and the music blasting has ensued!!! Abercrombie is in Spain to do its dance - club-esque vibe included! People, Abercrombie & Fitch is now partying it up in Madrid!!! Hundreds upon hundreds of people lined up outside the doors A&F Madrid and were well received by among the ultimate of Abercrombie & Fitch! Breathtaking in presentation, A&F Madrid offers 14,000 square feet of the A&F Flagship experience! It's totally amazing!!!

It's so amazing that Abercrombie & Fitch in Madrid is only the beginning of what is to come! Get ready Spain because you're in for one FIERCE storm of cool!

Stay FIERCE!

P.S. Abercrombie & Fitch has yet to post any pictures of the event on its official Facebook page. However, You can check out some photos of the opening of the Abercrombie & Fitch Madrid flagship store (here) courtesy of GQ Spain magazine.

Picture perfect at the Abercrombie & Fitch Madrid flagship!
Image by GQ Spain |  (image source)

Tis the Season Fur Coats!

A&F Privileged Christmas 2011 | (image source)

This Christmas season at Abercrombie & Fitch, it's all about fur - faux-fur, really. This winter season is also a return to the A&F tradition of placing the leading male model clad in a winter coat for the season. The individual shot serves as the main image of the season. It's classic Abercrombie Christmas and this "photo pattern" was featured consecutively from 2004 and on. In 2007, the model wore a knit coat as opposed to the typical coats featured and the image didn't follow the typical photographic pattern. No such "coat" images were made for 2009 and 2010 either, but Christmas 2011 has brought it all back...

Check out the other shots...

Buddy K. for Christmas 2008

Mark Carroll for Christmas 2006

Matt Ratliff for Christmas 2005

Danny Smith for Christmas 2004

If you notice, the coats got heavier and more detailed from 2006 and on....

Interesting "coat" tradition, right? Nothing like wearing a coat without a tee shirt to keep warm! lol.

Stay warm. Stay FIERCE! Happy holidays, everyone!

All photography featured in this post is by Bruce Weber and owned by Abercrombie & Fitch Co. It is used here for illustrative puposes only. All rights reserved by copyright owner.