Netflix 2022 Doc ‘White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch’ Helped Propel Arrest of Retailer’s Former CEO Mike Jeffries

As a supporter and someone who watched “White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch,” I can say that Alison Klayman’s documentary has truly been a beacon, shedding light on the dark underbelly of a once-popular clothing store. It’s heartening to see how the film has empowered people to come forward and share their stories, giving voice to those who initially felt like needles in a haystack.


Approximately two years following the release of the Netflix exposé titled “White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch,” the company’s ex-CEO, Mike Jeffries, was taken into custody last week due to allegations of international sex trafficking. These offenses are said to have transpired during his tenure with the clothing retailer from 1992 to 2014.

The 88-minute film, helmed by Alison Klayman, played a crucial role in resurfacing the questionable history of the clothing store and eventually sparked the BBC docuseries “World of Secrets: The Abercrombie Guys.” This series, in turn, provided more opportunities for individuals to share their accounts of Jeffries’ alleged misconduct.

According to Klayman, when you’re creating a documentary and sharing information about something, it turns into a guiding light. Suddenly, people who were previously elusive during the filmmaking process come forward. The influx of messages regarding Jeffries that our team and I received following the release of “White Hot” symbolizes all those who originally felt like finding a needle in a haystack.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I eagerly watched “White Hot” on Netflix, which premiered on April 19, 2022, and swiftly climbed the ranks to become one of their most globally streamed films. This documentary delves into the surge in popularity of Abercrombie & Fitch during the late ’90s, scrutinizing how, under Jeffries’ guidance, the store garnered notoriety for its sexually charged advertising and its pursuit of an “all-American” aesthetic that predominantly showcased white models. The film asserts that photographer Bruce Weber, a key figure in shaping Abercrombie’s marketing through his provocative images of half-naked, young, handsome men, was accused of inappropriately touching his male models.

During the finale of “White Hot,” a card stated, “No models have reported sexual misconduct by Mike Jeffries.” However, Klayman reveals that during the filming process, he was informed about Jeffries’ alleged inappropriate conduct.

As an independent filmmaker, working for platforms like Netflix presents a unique contrast compared to being a staff reporter,” Klayman explains. “Unlike journalists, who have institutional safeguards for their reporting, indie filmmakers must secure approvals not only from legal teams but also insurance companies. This additional layer of oversight was something we aimed to convey with our project, and it motivated us to revisit this story and delve deeper because there are certain aspects that can’t be covered entirely in one go, often involving individuals who prefer anonymity.

It’s uncertain whether any of the individuals accused in Jeffries’ recent indictment are identical to those who conversed with Klayman off-record, but the director asserts that the accusations in the indictment align with accounts shared by several people during the making and distribution of “White Hot”.

In 2014, Jeffries departed from Abercrombie & Fitch due to a series of controversies the company experienced, such as a 2004 lawsuit alleging discrimination against employees who were Black, Latino, Asian, and female. Fran Horowitz assumed the role of Abercrombie’s CEO in 2017 and successfully redefined the brand’s image to be more inclusive. However, Jeffries’ recent arrest has resulted in a significant drop in Abercrombie’s stock value by over 11 percent, as reported by The New York Times.

On October 25th, Horowitz explained to The Times that the retailer is no longer the same as it once was.

But Klayman isn’t so sure.

As a passionate cinephile, I can tell you that our film ‘White Hot’ aimed to convey the departure of Mike Jeffries from Abercrombie and how the company has since undergone a rebranding. However, the more significant question is whether they truly deserve credit for these changes, or if it’s sufficient, or what we, as consumers, should even expect from brands. It would be intriguing to delve into that topic.

According to her conversation with EbMaster, if Klayman were to create a sequel to “White Hot,” the documentary would delve into the freedom from accountability that is often associated with prosperity and authority within businesses in our contemporary society.

Klayman states, ‘Many people considered Jeffries as a genius during the period when Abercrombie was profitable. However, this brilliance seemed to overlook or ignore any rumored or confirmed misconduct within the company, from its lower ranks all the way up to the top executives.’ He further adds that if a documentary were made about Mike Jeffries and Abercrombie, it would serve not just as a film, but as an educational piece shedding light on a larger and more systemic issue in our society and institutions.’

Klayman didn’t reveal whether Netflix will support a second season of “White Hot,” but he did mention that there’s been significant interest.

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2024-10-30 22:49