Partner Alice Stock, a member of Pryor Cashman's Labor and Employment Group, was interviewed by Law360 for its April 28, 2011 article “Attorneys Cast Doubt On Abercrombie’s Preppy Look Defense.”

The article discusses Abercrombie’s defense against a recent discrimination suit in which it asserts that it is protecting its brand image by refusing to let a sales worker wear a Muslim head scarf.

In the case, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Abercrombie & Fitch Stores Inc., Abercrombie maintains that its refusal stems from a “look policy,” which requires retail employees to dress in the brand’s “New England preppy cool” style. Abercrombie touts its sales staff as its “primary marketing tool,” and the look policy as an essential job function that is “a major component of the in-store experience.”

Stock notes that what Abercrombie is saying is:  "‘We don’t care who you are, you have to wear this uniform. If you’re not going to wear this uniform, we can’t have you.’ They’re not saying that "[w]e’re not accepting women or African-Americans or Indians.’”

To read the article, please click here.