I Modeled For Abercrombie. Netflix’s ‘White Hot’ Doc Is Accurate

Netflix’s “White Hot” documentary chronicling the heady days of Abercrombie & Fitch’s popular and exclusionary marketing strategy of tying oiled abs, gyrating bodies and white-picket fence Americana to brand identity is an accurate portrayal. I should know: I was one of the shirtless models who greeted visitors to its stores.

The documentary released this week showcases how the brand’s ripped jeans and hoodies -- once touted as the preserve of the upper-middle class and privately educated -- became sought after by wider society who wanted a share in that aspirational image. Business thrived and was met with rapid global expansion for both Abercrombie and sister brands Hollister and Gilly Hicks, before a slew of discrimination lawsuits beset the company and interest in in-store shopping experiences dwindled.