The cold snap failed to cool queues at the opening of US retailer Abercrombie & Fitch today, with many warmed by the prospect of a shirtless hug from the store’s male greeter.
By 11am, a line of up to 100 people, mostly teenage girls, had formed outside the College Green shop, some devotees already dressed head to toe in the brand - “it’s from my aunt in America”.
Inside, the atmosphere was Fierce, that’s Abercrombie’s ‘signature scent’ which was being pumped around the nightclub-like store along with loud peppy dance music.
Jacqui Gibbons from Drumshambo, Co Leitrim and her daughters Saoirse (15) and Eimear (12) made a trip to the capital especially.
“The girls are off school and they had read about it on Facebook and Twitter and that, so they wanted to see it,” Mrs Gibbons said. She was unfazed by the queues. “They were very pleasant, the lads were chatting to the girls on the way in; they were very courteous and very nice.”
Purchases totalling around €150 were made – two hoodies and a tank top - but the real prize was a snap with the Ambercrombie “hot guy” that was going straight onto Facebook.
Niamh Brick (13) and mother Carmel Brick from Cavan were more reticent. They bought nothing.
“It’s very expensive,” said Niamh. “They are all very good looking in there. It’s very American, the way they kind of talk to you and everything.”
“I thought they were a bit outrageous now,” Mrs Brick said. “I picked up a little top similar to what you might see in River Island and it was nearly €90.”
“I kind of think for the times we are in, is there an opening for this?”
Inside, store-staff repeatedly chirped the greeting, “What’s going on?” at shoppers as queues for the dressing room and tills ran up to 20-deep. A pair of men’s boxer-briefs was selling for €24 while women’s tracksuit pants were €68.
Store management was happy with the turnout. A spokeswoman said the most popular items were hoodies, with the men’s cologne Fierce (selling at €92 for 100ml) “selling like crazy”.
“It’s going really well. It’s going great.Yeah.”
“We’re loving it. Yes, we’re really excited to be here in Dublin.”
