May 19, 2013
Mike Jeffries
c/o Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie & Fitch Campus
6301 Fitch Path
New Albany, Ohio 43054
Hey Mike,
I know you've been flooded
with mail regarding your comments on sizeismbut I wanted to take a second
to write you about a project I've been working on.
As a preface: Your opinion
isn't shocking; millions share the same sentiment. You've used your wealth and
public platform to echo what many already say. However, it’s important you
know that regardless of the numbers on your tax forms, your comments don't stop
anyone from being who they are; the world is progressing in inclusive ways
whether you deem it cool or not. The only thing you've done through your comments (about thin being beautiful and
only offering XL and XXL in your stores for men) is reinforce the unoriginal concept
that fat women are social failures, valueless, and undesirable. Your apology
doesn't change this.
Well, actually, that's not
all you have done. You have also created an incredible opportunity for social
change.
Never in our culture do we see
sexy photo shoots that pair short, fat, unconventional models with not short,
not fat, professional models. To put it in your words: "unpopular
kids" with "cool kids". It's socially acceptable for same to be
paired with same, but never are contrasting bodies positively mixed in the
world of advertisement. The juxtaposition of uncommonly paired bodies is
visually jarring, and, even though I wish it didn’t, it causes viewers to feel
uncomfortable. This is largely attributed to companies like yours that
perpetuate the thought that fat women are not beautiful. This is inaccurate,
but if someone were to look through your infamous catalog, they wouldn't
believe me.
I've enclosed some images for
your consideration. Please let me know what you think.
A note: I didn't take these pictures
to show that the male model found me attractive, or that the photographer found me
photogenic, or to prove that you're an ostentatious dick. Rather, I was
inspired by the opportunity to show that I am secure in my skin and to flaunt this by using the controversial
platform that you created. I challenge the separation of
attractive and fat, and I asserthat
they are compatible regardless of what you believe. Not only do I know that I'm
sexy, but I also have the confidence to pose nude in ways you don’t dare. You are more than welcome to prove me wrong by posing shirtless with a hot fat chick; it would thrill me to see such a shoot.
I'm sure you
didn't intend for this to be the outcome, but in many ways you're kind of
brilliant. Not only are you a marketing genius (brand exclusivity really is a
profitable move) but you also accidentally created an opportunity to challenge
our current social construct. My hope is that the combination of these
contrasting bodies will someday be as ubiquitous as the socially accepted
ideal.
Ever so sincerely,
Jes
P.S. If you would like to
offer me a "substantial amount" to stop wearing your brand so my
association won't "cause significant damage to your image", don't
hesitate to email me. I respect you as a business man, and my agent and I would
be happy to contribute in furthering your established success.
P.P.S. You should know your
Large t-shirt comfortably fits a size 22. You might want to work on that.
