Fashion Industry discussion, review, analysis, news, and information

I found out through Rich Ottum of MarketingBlurb that Abercrombie & Fitch is heading into Brittain.  Rich shares with us a picture of a huge, I mean gigantic, Billboard that occupies half a block? of shirtless guys.  Frankly, they look emaciated to me.  That's their idea of sexy? 

I wonder if there really is a big difference in sales if you use half naked people versus fully-clothed people in your marketing ads?  If you read this article at Wikipedia, there appears to be evidence to the effectiveness of using sex in advertising. 

Call me a "conservative" if you will, but I don't see the need to use sex to advertise a product, especially if it sells itself.  At times it can even be a little corny (Paris Hilton for Carl's Jr. comes to mind - notice that they don't show that commercial anymore - at least in my area).