When was ANF founded?

Written by Editorial Team | Last Updated: August 2026

Abercrombie & Fitch, historically known by its retail acronym ANF, was originally founded in New York City in 1892 by David Abercrombie as a high-end outfitter for elite outdoor sportsmen, famous for supplying camping, fishing, and hunting gear to historical figures like Ernest Hemingway and Theodore Roosevelt. Ezra Fitch later joined as a partner, shaping the brand's early identity. In 1988, the ailing brand was acquired by The Limited, which completely reinvented ANF into the iconic, trendsetting casual apparel and lifestyle brand popular with youth culture worldwide.

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