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Abercrombie & Fitch Christmas catalog raises controversy
By: Nu Yang
LIFE Staff Writer
Issue date: 12/1/99 Section: Features>>Holiday Gift Guide
- Page 1 of 1
Michigan Attorney General Jennifer Granholm recently sent a letter to Abercrombie & Fitch ordering it to stop selling their clothing catalog.
The "Naughty or Nice" Christmas catalog contains sexual material, from shirtless young men to a naked girl lying face up on the back of a horse.
In a press release, Granholm said, "This is disgusting. What are they selling here?"
Even Santa Claus was indecent. A sexual cartoon that included Mrs. Claus, the elves and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was also featured in the catalog.
"It's not something you want minors to see. The image of Santa Claus was ruined," said Amber Harrison, Lapeer freshman.
In the press release, Granholm said her office sent three children- aged 10, 13 and 14 - to an Abercrombie & Fitch store in Okemos. Even though the catalog was covered in shrink wrap and had a "mature content" label, all three were able to buy the $6 catalog without adults present.
The issue has also spread to Central Michigan University, triggering some strong reactions.
"I won't be buying anything from them (Abercrombie & Fitch) until they pull the catalogs off," said Miesha Krueger, Monroe sophomore.
Sarah Wiseman, Sterling Heights sophomore, agreed.
"Are they selling sex or selling clothes? It's disgraceful," Wiseman said.
"I don't think it's necessary to have naked people in a clothing magazine," said Jessica Wilson, Stephenson freshman.
Some students though said the controversy would help in their sales.
"This is free publicity. People are going to buy the catalogs for the pictures and they're selling lots of clothes, so they must be doing something right," said Mike Pickard, Shelby Township freshman.
Abercrombie & Fitch has yet to reply to Granholm. If it doesn't, Granholm said she will seek a court order to stop it from selling the catalogs to minors.
The "Naughty or Nice" Christmas catalog contains sexual material, from shirtless young men to a naked girl lying face up on the back of a horse.
In a press release, Granholm said, "This is disgusting. What are they selling here?"
Even Santa Claus was indecent. A sexual cartoon that included Mrs. Claus, the elves and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was also featured in the catalog.
"It's not something you want minors to see. The image of Santa Claus was ruined," said Amber Harrison, Lapeer freshman.
In the press release, Granholm said her office sent three children- aged 10, 13 and 14 - to an Abercrombie & Fitch store in Okemos. Even though the catalog was covered in shrink wrap and had a "mature content" label, all three were able to buy the $6 catalog without adults present.
The issue has also spread to Central Michigan University, triggering some strong reactions.
"I won't be buying anything from them (Abercrombie & Fitch) until they pull the catalogs off," said Miesha Krueger, Monroe sophomore.
Sarah Wiseman, Sterling Heights sophomore, agreed.
"Are they selling sex or selling clothes? It's disgraceful," Wiseman said.
"I don't think it's necessary to have naked people in a clothing magazine," said Jessica Wilson, Stephenson freshman.
Some students though said the controversy would help in their sales.
"This is free publicity. People are going to buy the catalogs for the pictures and they're selling lots of clothes, so they must be doing something right," said Mike Pickard, Shelby Township freshman.
Abercrombie & Fitch has yet to reply to Granholm. If it doesn't, Granholm said she will seek a court order to stop it from selling the catalogs to minors.
