Abercrombie Discrimination Case Dismissed

A lawsuit brought against Abercrombie & Fitch by a former black saleswoman in New York has been dismissed, according to WWD. Dulazia Burchette filed suit against the retailer in 2008, claiming supervisors discriminated against her by asking her to remove blond highlights in her hair, claiming they looked unnatural.

She claims her employers didn't ask the same of the white employees with highlighted hairstyles.

On Monday, the case was dismissed by a New York judge who says Burchette didn't produce "any triable evidence" that she had been "treated more severely than similarly situated coworkers." The judge also thought there was a lack of evidence for her claims of conspiracy against her and retaliation by her bosses.

Of course, the words Abercrombie and racist have crossed paths a few times before this trial.

In 2004, a victorious $50 million class-action lawsuit addressing racist hiring practices was won against the retailer, which overtly favors blue-eyed, blond-haired models and shop clerks.

And over the last two years, another three complaints have been filed against the brand: one by a British law student with a prosthetic limb and another two by young women wearing traditional Muslim headscarves. All of these employees said they were discriminated against because they violated A&F's "Look Policy."

According to The Telegraph, the Look Policy of A&F requires that employees have fingernails that are "clean and presentable"; any makeup must "enhance natural features and create a fresh, natural appearance"; tattoos are only acceptable if "they represent the Abercrombie" look; and employees must only sport "a clean, natural, classic hairstyle."

Do you think the Look Policy is discriminatory in itself? Let us know in a comment below.