A&F Quarterly was a magazine-catalog hybrid periodical sold by Abercrombie and Fitch from fall 1997 to December 2003. Circulation for the Quarterly averaged one million to 1.2 million during the late 1990s. The publication, released four times a year, featured articles about college life, photo essays by Bruce Weber, and advertisements for the company's clothing. In addition to this, the company's 280-page book included nude young adult models in highly suggestive poses, as well as articles on sex -- elements apparently intended to boost the clothing retailer's brand among college-age customers.
In December 2003, Abercrombie and Fitch decided to stop issuing its quarterly magazine, which it had published in addition to its catalogs since 1997. In a statement issued at the time of the recall, Abercrombie said, "While it has enjoyed success with the Quarterly over the years, the company believes it is time for new thinking and looks forward to unveiling an innovative and exciting campaign in the spring." "We just felt it was time to retire it and come back with something that has beautiful imagery and classical photos," said Hampton Carney, company spokesman, in the Times. "... But that doesn't mean they're going to go totally conservative and lose their nerve. According to CNN.com, Abercrombie said that the recall of the magazine was due to