Ezra Fitch

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Abercrombie & Fitch Co. people
Image:Ezrafitch.png
Ezra H. Fitch
Born 1866
Died June 16, 1930
Affiliation Co-founder, 1900
Sole owner, 1907 to 1928
Years Active 1900 to 1928
Present Influence Fitch, part of company's modern name
A&F Clothing line, "Ezra Fitch"
Fragrances "Ezra Fitch cologne" and "Ezra perfum"
RUEHL No.925 apparel
Previous Profession Law Practice, New York


Ezra H. Fitch (born 1866 - died June 16, 1930), commonly known as simply Fitch[citation needed], is the co-founder of the modern lifestyle brand, Abercrombie & Fitch. A wealthy New York lawyer, Fitch began as one of the Company's first customers, until finally leaving his practice and joining into the company with David Abercrombie. Fitch is well attributed for the company's successful growth in its early years and a collection of now-defunct upscale apparel and fragrances were introduced in his name.[1]

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Pre-Abercrombie & Fitch

Ezra H. Fitch was born in New York (possibly in Coxsackie, New York) as the son of Roswell R. and Helen Fitch née Carswell. Much of his early life is not known. Fitch must have ultimately studied Law for he practiced law in Kingston, New York.[2]

[edit] Abercrombie & Fitch Co.

Main article: Abercrombie & Fitch
See also: David Abercrombie
Inside the 1909 catalog featuring apparel for men and women.
Inside the 1909 catalog featuring apparel for men and women.

In the late 19th century, after David Abercrombie established Abercrombie Co. in 1892, Fitch became a regular customer.[3] In 1900, Fitch bought a major share into the ever successfully growing Company and thus became partners with Abercrombie.[4] The company became incorporated in 1904 and its name was changed to include Fitch's, "Abercrombie & Fitch Co.".[5] Although both men shared financial success with the company, they became rather an annoyance to one another. Fitch disputed with Abercrombie about who best to manage the Company. Fitch wanted to expand the company to the general public, unlike Abercrombie who was conservative and wanted to remain the Company as a store for the elite.[6] In the end, Abercrombie sold his share to Fitch in 1907, leaving the company all to him.

Fitch continued to manage the company now in a way to his pleasing. During this era of the Abercrombie & Fitch Co., the Company experienced its most successful times. Fitch knew how to expand and manage the company in a way which popularized it. He gave the store an "ambient atmosphere" and created its first mail-order catalog (released in 1909). Fitch alone is as well attributed for the importation of Mahjong to the United States as merchandise in the Abercrombie & Fitch store in 1920.[7]

[edit] Post Abercrombie & Fitch and death

In 1928, Ezra retired from the Company, leaving it under new management. Fitch spent the rest of his years in what he loved, nature and the wilderness. He died on June 16, 1930.

[edit] Modern influence

[edit] Upscale label

The image of Abercrombie & Fitch today.
The image of Abercrombie & Fitch today.

In the early 2000s, the Company (repositioned as a lifestyle brand in 1988) introduced the exclusive upscale clothing line, "Ezra Fitch". The label was introduced as means to differentiate the A&F brand from Hollister Co. (a more moderately-priced brand from the Company). The Ezra Fitch line included leather jackets, skirts, cashmere sweaters, denim jackets and jeans. The Company discontinued the line soon after its release because it did not sell as well as hoped.[8]

In 2004, the Company introduced RUEHL No.925, an upscale brand based in Greenwich Village. Its apparel is said to have a close resemblance to the Ezra Fitch line.

[edit] Upscale fragrance

Ezra Fitch merchandise is denoted as such on the clothing's tag.
Ezra Fitch merchandise is denoted as such on the clothing's tag.

In 2005, the Company released "Ezra Fitch" cologne and "Ezra" eau de parfum/perfume. This set of fragrances were priced higher than any other the A&F brand carried and were ensured to give of a scent of classic upscale luxury defining "the heritage of Abercrombie & Fitch". "Ezra perfume" was priced at $108.00 USD. In November 2007, the fragrances (both cologne and perfumes) were removed from the market and replaced with "Cologne 41" and "Perfume 41".[9] However, they are available via abercrombie.com and instore Abercrombie & Fitch.

[edit] References

  • Obituaries, New York Times, New York, N.Y.: June 19, 1930, page 21.
  • "CENTENARIAN DIES; Mrs. Roswell Fitch, 103, Was Mother of Founder of Store," New York Times, New York, N.Y.: April 22, 1950, page 15.
  1. ^ History. Abercrombie & Fitch Co.. Retrieved on 2007-11-26.
  2. ^ History. Abercrombie & Fitch Co.. Retrieved on 2007-11-26.
  3. ^ History. Abercrombie & Fitch Co.. Retrieved on 2007-11-26.
  4. ^ History. Abercrombie & Fitch Co.. Retrieved on 2007-11-26.
  5. ^ History. Abercrombie & Fitch Co.. Retrieved on 2007-11-26.
  6. ^ The History of Abercrombie and Fitch
  7. ^ History. Abercrombie & Fitch Co.. Retrieved on 2007-11-26.
  8. ^ Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Q1 2006 Earnings Conference Call Transcript (ANF) - Seeking Alpha
  9. ^ Mens, cologne / Women's, perfume (now, the website features not the fragrances).. Abercrombie & Fitch Co.. Retrieved on 2007.



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Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
Brands

abercrombie (age 7 through 14) • Hollister Co. (14 through 18) • Abercrombie & Fitch (18 through 22) • Gilly Hicks: Sydney (18 and up) • RUEHL No.925 (22 through 35)

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David Abercrombie · Ezra Fitch · Mike Jeffries
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