A summary year-end report regarding Abercrombie & Fitch & Victoria’s Secret

By: American Decency Staff

Abercrombie & Fitch: On June 18, we reported that Abercrombie & Fitch had announced a return to publishing their pornographic catalog. A&F under great pressure from many ministries in 2002-2003 discontinued the production and distribution of their pornographic catalog.   So it was with great concern  that we reported finding A&F back in the pornographic catalog business. In June we wrote:  “…With great sadness we once again enter into this fray. As many of you were aware, we never saw any real evidence that A&F had changed at the management level. We had kept a close watch on their wall and window displays during the interval between 2003 through June 2010. …â€Â Earlier this month I saw no evidence of the catalog in the store that I visited.   Also, I saw no evidence of it being marketed on their webpage today. A young man in his early twenties, whom we have familiarity with, worked with A&F part time for several years before quitting and working at a used clothing store for teens.  He stated that the used clothing store generated far more business traffic and money than A&F.  Another young man in his early twenties stated that  youth largely find A&F passé. My take is that the catalog didn’t take off and so has quietly faded away.  I welcome your perspective.  Do you have any knowledge of A&F’s catalog yet existing? Victoria’s Secret: As we reported in early December, we were disgusted and disappointed at the display in the Rivertown Crossings Mall.  We stated it in the following way on November 19:  “…Some may think this frivolous.  We don’t.   The mall attracts many young people.  Placing scantily clad models with seductive expressions and appearances SEDUCES.  It also communicates that this is how women are to look – seductive. The essence of beauty and femininity is not found in perfectly proportioned body parts and the degradation of women for the pleasure of men. Nationally noted author, researcher and speaker, Dr. Judith Reisman states it this way: [http://www.drjudithreisman.com] “Virulent pornography will continue to spread until people understand erotic displays in their proper context. Any PUBLIC display of PRIVATE erotic behavior endangers the life, health and welfare of the person displaying as well as the life, health and welfare of the “setâ€Â or group that person represents (commonly women). This is both historically and cross culturally established — and it is common sense. Still, millions of ninnies are regularly conned by the fantasy that private, intimate space conduct–safe only with ones beloved or trusted other–can be casually displayed in public space to millions of strangers, including potential predators-without dire consequences. The “celebrateâ€Â sharing your naked body with predatory strangers is a continued effort to legitimize pornography and prostitution, …  Judith Reisman, PhD We concluded our November article by stating the following: “.. It is irresponsible to display pornography at the local mall!   Moms and Dads, grandmothers and grandfathers need to oppose indecency/pornography wherever it is found – certainly that includes the local mall. …â€Â In closing, I have received comments from several in recent years stating that they don’t complain because they just simply stay away from the mall because they are sick and tired of having their moral sensibilities assaulted by the pornography of Victoria’s Secret.  At our local mall, we were shocked to see that Victoria’s Secret’s large centrally located perfume store went out of business this past year.  Interesting. Let your convictions spill out into what you will and won’t spend your money on!  For those of you that do, keep it up!  For those of you that don’t, this would be a great time to start. To hear my recent interview: http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=1253540 Take Action: (1) Don’t spend a single dollar with Victoria’s Secret/The Limited or its subsidiaries. (The Limited owns Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, White Barn Candle Company, Express). Urge others to do the same. (2) Contact us for a Victoria’s Secret bumper sticker and display it in a prominent place – like your bumper. Bumper Sticker slogans: A) “Victoria: Keep Your Secrets Coveredâ€Â B) “Victoria’s Dirty Secret:  PORNOGRAPHYâ€Â To request a bumper sticker, call us at:1-888-733-2326 or email:kimberly@americandecency.org (3) CONTACT VICTORIA’S SECRET and speak out locally where concerns exist. Click here to send a letter to Victoria’s Secret/The Limited. https://americandecency.org/take_action_form.php?msg_id=75 Or to send your own personal communication, use the information below. Contact: Victoria's Secret Stores, LLC Ms. Sharen Turney – CEO 3 Limited Pkwy Columbus OH  43230 Phone: 614-577-7000 Fax: 614-577-7047 Email: STurney@limitedbrands.com Or email: http://www.victoriassecret.com/CustomerService/QuickHelp/ContactUs/CommentsQuestionsorSuggestions Email service@victoriassecret.com The Limited (owns Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, White Barn Candle Company, Express) Leslie Wexner, CEO Three Limited Parkway Columbus, OH 43230 Phone: 614-577-7000 Leslie Wexner – Chairman & CEO of Limited Brands – email: LWexner@limitedbrands.com Is fighting pornography at your local mall irrelevant? Is speaking up against indecency at the checkout counters trivial? Is writing letters to advertisers unworthy of your attention? Is perfecting holiness in the fear of God old-fashioned? Let’s encourage one another and strengthen one another to be more like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. =================================== Your support is important to our ability to make a difference. Donate online at: https://secure4.afo.net/ada/donate.php American Decency Association is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. American Decency Association Bill Johnson, President P.O. Box 202 Fremont, MI 49412 ph: 231-924-4050 www.americandecency.org http://www.twitter.com/billwjohnson

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