DACS

abercrombiefitchcatalogs Inventory of the Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterly Catalog Collection, 1997-2007 Processed by: Richard Collier; machine-readable finding aid created by: Richard Collier The John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing HistoryDavid M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library Duke University Durham, N.C., USA

Aleph Number: 003931620

Machine-readable finding aid derived from XML authoring program. Date of source: January 2008Processed by Richard Collier, January 2008; Finding Aid encoded by Richard Collier, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University, January 2008 Description is in English Finding aid was prepared using DACS and our local Style Guide Inventory of the Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterly Catalog Collection, 1997-2007 The John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing HistoryDavid M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library Duke University Durham, North Carolina 27708-0185 USA

Descriptive Summary David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterly Catalog Collection, 1997-2007 Material in English 3.0 Linear Feet 34 Items For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog. Abercrombie and Fitch was founded in 1892 as a sporting goods supplier and expedition outfitter. It currently specializes in upscale sportswear aimed at children and young adults. The Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterly Catalog Collection consists of a run of lifestyle-oriented clothing catalogs issued between 1997 and 2007. The catalog featured articles on a wide range of youth popular culture and lifestyle topics, along with numerous photographs by Bruce Weber. Articles included advice, music and movie reviews, and profiles and interviews with celebrities and cultural critics such as philosopher Slavoj Žižek. The Creative Director for the catalog series was Sam Shahid, who had previously worked in the in-house advertising agencies for Calvin Klein and Banana Republic. After 2003, the lifestyle content and controversial photography was scaled back to focus more narrowly on seasonal fashion. Administrative Information Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

However, collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.

Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.

Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the Rubenstein Library to use this collection.

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterly Catalog Collection, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Provenance

The Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterly Catalog Collection were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a gift from John Taormina in 2008.

Processing Information

Processed by Richard Collier, January 2008

Encoded by Richard Collier, January 2008

Accession 2008-0005 is described in this finding aid.

Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and our local Style Guide.

This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.

Historical Note

Abercrombie & Fitch Historical Timeline

Chronology List 1892 David T. Abercrombie founded a sporting goods store in his name in New York, N.Y. 1900 Ezra H. Fitch became partner in the David T. Abercrombie Co. 1904 Store incorporated as Abercrombie & Fitch 1907 Abercrombie resigned; Fitch took over management of the store but kept the name 1909 First mail-order catalogs distributed, in a run of 50,000 1910 Sportswear for women introduced 1928 Fitch retired; James S. Cobb named as President Circa 1929 Sporting goods company Von Langerke & Detmold (known in Chicago as Von Langerke & Antoine) purchased 1930 Griffin & Howe, a New York gun shop, purchased 1961 John H. Ewing named as President 1968 First warehouse sale conducted 1970 William Humphries named as President 1976 Chapter 11 bankruptcy filed 1977 Abercrombie & Fitch stores closed 1978 Abercrombie & Fitch name bought by Oshman's Sporting Goods 1979 Beverly Hills store opened, specializing in sportswear and fitness equipment 1988 25 of 27 stores purchased by The Limited, Inc.; focus on apparel 1992 Marketing shifted focus toward upscale youth 1997 Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterly catalog debut 1998 Abercrombie & Fitch spun off as an independent entity 2003 Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterly catalog ceased publication

Upon the demise of the Quarterly in 2003, Abercrombie & Fitch continued to issue seasonal catalogs, but the lifestyle content was largely replaced by fashion photography.

Collection Overview

The Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterly Catalog Collection consists of a run of lifestyle-oriented clothing catalogs issued between 1997 and 2007. The catalog featured articles on a wide range of youth popular culture and lifestyle topics, along with numerous photographs by Bruce Weber. Articles included advice, music and movie reviews, and profiles and interviews with celebrities and cultural critics such as philosopher Slavoj Žižek. The Creative Director for the catalog series was Sam Shahid, who had previously worked in the in-house advertising agencies for Calvin Klein and Banana Republic. After 2003, the lifestyle content and controversial photography was scaled back to focus more narrowly on seasonal fashion.

The collection is arranged chronologically by issue

Subject Headings

These are searchable subject entries for this collection. Performing a search on these subjects in the Duke University Libraries online catalog will bring up other related research materials.

Weber, Bruce, 1946- Žižek, Slavoj--Interviews. Abercrombie & Fitch. Commercial catalogs. Mail-order business. Advertising, Direct-mail--United States. Advertising and youth--United States--History--20th century. Advertising and youth--United States--History--21st century. Advertising and youth--United States. Advertising--Brand name products. Advertising--Clothing and dress. Direct marketing. Fashion photography. Fashion--Social aspects--United States--20th century. Fashion--Social aspects--United States--21st century. Popular culture--United States. Popular culture--United States--20th century. Popular culture--United States--21st century. Target marketing--United States. United States--Social life and customs--20th century. United States--Social life and customs--21st century. Mail order catalogs. Trade catalogs. John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History. Related Material

Additional examples of catalogs and other direct-mail materials may be found in the Sears, Roebuck and Company Catalog Collection; several collections within the J. Walter Thompson Company Archives--the Detroit Office Records, Account File Collection, Ford Collateral Literature, and the Bertram Metter Papers. Materials relating to fashion and apparel advertising may be found in the J. Walter Thompson Company Domestic Advertisements Collection (Benetton, New York Dress Institute); the Bates Worldwide, Inc. Records (Foot Locker, Pacific Sunwear); and the Wells, Rich, Greene, Inc. Records (Warnaco/Warner's). Individually cataloged items may be located by searching the Duke University Libraries online catalog.

Contents of Collection Quarterly Catalogs, 1997-2007 10 Boxes 1 1997, Fall (Premier Issue) 1997, Christmas 1998, Spring Break 1998, Summer 1998, Back to School 2 1998, Christmas 1999, Spring Break 1999, Summer 3 1999, Back to School 1999, Christmas 2000, Spring Break 4 2000, Summer 2000, Back to School 2000, Christmas 5 2001, Spring Break 2001, Summer 2001, Back to School 6 2001, Christmas 2002, Spring Break 2002, Summer 7 2002, Back to School 2002, Christmas 2003, Spring Break 8 2003, Summer 2003, Back to School 2003, Christmas 9 2004, Spring Break 2004, Christmas 2004, Christmas (alternate cover) 2005, Spring Break 2005, Back to School 2005, Christmas 10 2006, Spring Break 2006, Summer 2006, Back to School 2006, Christmas 2007, Spring Break