Ezra Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch people
name = 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 (1866 – June 16, 1930), mainly known as simply FitchFact|date=December 2007, 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 attributed with much of the company's successful growth in its early years and a collection of now-defunct upscale apparel and fragrances were introduced in his name. [cite web|url=http://www.abercrombie.com/anf/hr/jobs/careers.html|title=History|publisher=Abercrombie & Fitch Co.|accessdate=2007-11-26]

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Biography

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. [cite web|url=http://www.abercrombie.com/anf/hr/jobs/careers.html|title=History|publisher=Abercrombie & Fitch Co.|accessdate=2007-11-26]

Abercrombie & Fitch Co.

In the late 19th century, after David Abercrombie established Abercrombie Co. in 1892, Fitch became a regular customer. [cite web|url=http://www.abercrombie.com/anf/hr/jobs/careers.html|title=History|publisher=Abercrombie & Fitch Co.|accessdate=2007-11-26] In 1900, Fitch bought a major share into the ever successfully growing company and thus became partners with Abercrombie. [cite web|url=http://www.abercrombie.com/anf/hr/jobs/careers.html|title=History|publisher=Abercrombie & Fitch Co.|accessdate=2007-11-26] The company became incorporated in 1904 and its name was changed to include Fitch's, "Abercrombie & Fitch Co.". [cite web|url=http://www.abercrombie.com/anf/hr/jobs/careers.html|title=History|publisher=Abercrombie & Fitch Co.|accessdate=2007-11-26] 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 the company to remain as a store for the elite. [ [http://www.saintmarys.edu/~berdayes/vincehome/courses/comm303/student%20projects/finchness/history.html The History of Abercrombie and Fitch] ] In the end, Abercrombie sold his share to Fitch in 1907.

During the Fitch era of the Abercrombie & Fitch Co., the company experienced great success. 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. [cite web|url=http://www.abercrombie.com/anf/hr/jobs/careers.html|title=History|publisher=Abercrombie & Fitch Co.|accessdate=2007-11-26]

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.

Modern influence

Upscale label

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. [ [http://retail.seekingalpha.com/article/10751 Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Q1 2006 Earnings Conference Call Transcript (ANF) - Seeking Alpha ] ]

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.

Upscale fragrance

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 perfume) were removed from the market and replaced with "Cologne 41" and "Perfume 41." [cite web|url=http://www.abercrombie.com|title=Mens, cologne / Women's, perfume (now, the website features not the fragrances).|publisher=Abercrombie & Fitch Co.|accessdate=2007]

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.