There is a new spectacle in town!

Update from Paris - walking along the Champs Elysées you notice the line first. It is long, and everyone is young and hip. Keep walking to the back of the line ...that's right - all the way to the back as it snakes  around the block...there is an hour wait to enter through the guarded, golden, gilded gates.




What could be drawing this crowd? priceless jewels you ask? a recently discovered painting by a master? mais, non - it is of course -

Abercrombie and Fitch, Paris




What? Yes, you heard it, a month after the official opening of the swanky-addressed Abercrombie & Fitch's foray into the French marketplace, the lines are still around the block to enter the 31,000-square-foot, four-floor store. And, oh yeah - they sell shirts and jeans.



You enter under the wrought-iron, gold gilded gates (after about an hour wait). The gravel path crunches under your feet as you make your way through the garden (the anticipation really builds here!) to reach the entrance located at the rear of the building.

Greeted by a bare-chested, buff young lad (who was very happy to pose with young ladies and guys for photos) you enter the dark store to the blaring beat of some retro-pop music to peruse the 150 Euro (yes, that is right) button-down, cotton shirt. The same shirt that my son bought in the USA at the local mall for $19.00!

All of the male (recently pulled off the runway) staff members are dressed the same in the blue, checked, button-down - and curiously they all look like they could be brothers. Some are dancing, some are there just to look nice and smile. Murals of scantily clad youth surround the interior of the store and large faux statues of bare-chested (where did I see that before?) men everywhere. The stairs that lead you up and down are lit from underneath - which is helpful since the only thing that is lit up are the shirts and, of course, the staff

It was all so very over the top.



If only there were as many people leaving with A&F purchases in their arms as people entering the store, then maybe they could afford to buy that guy at the door a shirt!

To visit yourself - 
23 Avenue des Champs Elysées, 75008 Paris 
Métro: Franklin D. Roosevelt (0.2 km), Saint-Philippe du Roule (0.3 km)

Comments

Gypsy Rose said…
Thinking we should stock up on A&F goods so we can barter for meals and lodging... Thanks for the head's up - don't want to make the mistake of waiting in that line!
Gypsy Rose said…
Thinking we should run over to the Solomon Pond Mall and stock up on A&F t-shirts so we can barter for clothing and food....

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