The Abercrombie Guys: 4. The Mysterious Mr Smith

World Of Secrets

BBC

Society & Culture, Documentary

4.7 • 765 Ratings

🗓️ 2 October 2023

⏱️ 36 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Who is the other Abercrombie guy, Matthew Smith? “Witty, strict and secretive” says a former colleague.

Papers reveal the influential role he had in the life of his partner, the former Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries. A former staffer reveals how he frequently requested large sums of cash, sealed in white envelopes – what was it for? Have you got a story to tell? Email [email protected]. Let us know what you think of the season using the hashtag #WorldofSecrets

This podcast refers to sexual abuse and contains interviews that some listeners may find upsetting, as well as some occasional strong language. If you've been affected by any of the issues in this series, please contact support organisations in your own country. For a list of organisations in the UK that can provide support for survivors of sexual abuse, go to bbc.co.uk/actionline.

World of Secrets: Season 1 - The Abercrombie Guys is presented and investigated by Rianna Croxford Series Producers: Ruth Evans and Alys Harte Senior Producer: Emma Close Development Producer: Hannah Livingston Investigation Editor: Ed Campbell Podcast Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith Executive Editor: Emma Rippon Studio Engineers: Neil Churchill, Andy Fell, Gareth Jones, and Ali Rezakhani Production Coordinators: Debbie Richford and Sophie Hill Commissioning Editor: Dylan Haskins Commissioning Executive: Louise Kattenhorn Assistant Commissioner: Natasha Johansson This podcast is made in collaboration with BBC Panorama. If you are in the UK, you can watch Panorama: The Abercrombie Guys: The Dark Side of Cool on BBC iPlayer now, or on BBC Select if you are in the in the US. World of Secrets: Season 1 - The Abercrombie Guys is a BBC Long Form Audio production for BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Before this BBC podcast kicks off, I'd like to tell you about some others you might enjoy.
0:05.0	My name's Will Wilkin and I Commission Music Podcast for the BBC.
0:08.0	It's a really cool job, but every day we get to tell the incredible stories behind songs, moments and movements,
0:14.7	stories of struggle and success, rises and falls, the funny, the ridiculous.
0:19.1	And the BBC's position at the heart of British music means we can tell those stories like no one else.
0:24.6	We were, are and always will be right there at the center of the narrative.
0:28.6	So whether you want an insightful take on music right now or a nostalgic deep dive into some of the most famous and
0:34.4	infamous moments in music check out the music podcasts on BBC Sounds.
0:38.6	BBC Sounds music radio podcasts.
0:43.6	Hi, thanks for listening to World of Secrets.
0:46.4	I'm Riana Croxford, and before we start, I wanted to let you know that this episode
0:50.8	contained some strong language.
1:05.0	It is Tuesday the 14th of March and we've just had a successful doork. I feel like we've got really lucky there, first time lucky.
1:08.1	Open the door.
1:08.9	I was like, you look familiar.
1:10.6	I know, I recognize them immediately. I've been looking at photos of them on Facebook
1:15.6	so yeah the minute they opened the door I was like yup and you said their name
1:19.8	they're like that's me we're back in Ohio where for days producer Ruth and I have been
1:25.3	knocking on doors trying to find out more about Matthew Smith, the mysterious
1:30.8	British partner of Mike Jeffries,
1:33.4	the modern day founder of Abercrombie and Fitch.
1:37.5	We've been told Matthew Smith played a central role at the events I'm investigating,
	...

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