When a 17-year-old Muslim girl named Samantha Elauf applied for a job at a Tulsa, Oklahoma Abercrombie & Fitch she was denied. Elauf, who was otherwise considered a good candidate, didn’t measure up to the company’s “Look Policy.” Abercrombie considers the look of its salespeople paramount in promoting its brand. The company is strict when it comes to excessive makeup, nail polish, and other faux pas that don’t fit the Abercrombie “life style.” Elauf wore a head scarf. It was determined that this fashion choice–also an element of free speech–wouldn’t work out for the Abercrombie brand.
Now Abercrombie & Fitch will head to the Supreme Court to defend its decision. Abercrombie’s attorneys may think they’re among kindred spirits in Washington, since the Supreme Court also has a “Look Policy”–robes, black ones. Then again, it’s not far from the hijab look. These days Elauf is a fashion blogger.
