Abercrombie & Fitch began in 1892 under the name David T. Abercrombie Co. It was a small waterfront shop and factory in New York City. The founder, David Abercrombie, was a former trapper, prospector, topographer, and railroad surveyor. His love for the great outdoors influenced his store, abercrombie and fitch
., and was dedicated to camping, fishing, and hunting gear. His clientele consisted mostly of hunters and explorers. Ezra Fitch, a lawyer in New York crossed paths with Abercrombie & Co. in his search for outstanding outdoor gear. In 1900 abercrombie and fitch became Abercrombie & Fitch and Ezra became a partner.
., and was dedicated to camping, fishing, and hunting gear. His clientele consisted mostly of hunters and explorers. Ezra Fitch, a lawyer in New York crossed paths with Abercrombie & Co. in his search for outstanding outdoor gear. In 1900 abercrombie and fitch became Abercrombie & Fitch and Ezra became a partner.
Long arguments formed between the two men regarding the future of Abercrombie & Fitch. Abercrombie wanted to continue selling gear to professional outdoorsmen, while Fitch wanted to focus the store on the general public. abercrombie and fitch resigned in 1907 leaving the store in the hands of Ezra Fitch. Fitch wanted the store to have an outdoor feeling. He set up a tent in the middle of the store, and a campfire blazed in a corner. The clerks hired at A&F were not professional salesmen, they were true outdoorsmen. Inventory expanded as did the store. A&F became the first store in New York to supply such clothing to women as well as men. A&F began publishing a magazine which contained 456 pages of outdoor gear and clothing. Now there were 50,000 prospective customers for A&F. abercrombie and fitch soon became the largest sporting goods store in the world. Ezra Fitch retired and in 1977, the store went bankrupt. After a few owners, A&F was bought by Limited Inc. in 1988.
Today Abercrombie & Fitch is a successful company. Their image has drastically changed throughout the years from a store for outdoorsman to the advertising of naked teenagers. The company also publishes the A&F quarterly, which is not just selling clothes, it is selling a lifestyle.
