Abercrombie & Fitch Co., the clothing retailer, is currently investigating allegations that its former CEO, Mike Jeffries, sexually exploited men at extravagant parties worldwide. The accusations were initially reported by the BBC and claim that Jeffries organized these events and used a middleman to recruit participants under the pretense of becoming a model for Abercrombie & Fitch. Here is a summary of what we currently know about the situation.
According to the BBC, eight men have come forward to speak about their involvement in or witnessing of sexual acts at parties hosted by Jeffries and his partner, Matthew Smith, between 2009 and 2015. Each man was allegedly paid thousands of dollars in cash following the parties. The recruitment process for these events was handled by a middleman named James Jacobson, who reportedly informed one recruit that engaging in oral sex with him was necessary for meeting with Abercrombie & Fitch or Mike Jeffries. This recruit complied and was then invited to Jeffries’ home in the Hamptons, where they engaged in sexual activity. Another man, a former model, stated that while Jeffries and Smith watched, he received oral sex from another recruited man. The former model describes the experience as mentally damaging and an abuse of power.
Jeffries’ attorney has declined to comment on the accusations. The attorney states that Jeffries, who is now retired at 79 years old, has chosen not to respond to media reports regarding his personal life.
Aside from these allegations, Jeffries is also recognized for transforming Abercrombie & Fitch during his tenure as CEO from 1992 to 2014. He rebranded the company as a top-selling teen outfitter known for its preppy style, provocative advertisements featuring semi-nude models, and pungent cologne. Jeffries’ approach to marketing brought significant financial success to the company, with earnings increasing for 52 consecutive quarters. However, his controversial ideas and exclusivity also resulted in legal issues such as a class-action lawsuit accusing the company of discrimination against minority employees and public backlash for the nature of their advertisements.
In recent years, Abercrombie & Fitch has attempted to distance itself from its controversial past and reinvent its image. The company has changed its marketing tactics, discontinued its sexually explicit magazine catalog, and expanded its size offerings. It has also emphasized inclusivity and diversity in its marketing campaigns. The current executive leadership team and board of directors claim to have been unaware of the allegations against Jeffries and have hired an external law firm to conduct an independent investigation. They have stated that the company has a zero-tolerance policy for abuse, harassment, or discrimination of any kind.