Rethink Luxury with Telfar’s Shopping Bag
Every new season a new “it” bag comes and replaces the previous one. For quite some time the mini-bags have held their place at the top. That is until 2020 when Telfar re-introduced its Shopping Bag and revolutionized the way luxury is conceived, bought and appreciated.
Courtesy of Telfar
When it comes to iconic handbags people dream to have they seem to adhere to the classics, think Chanel, Dior, Gucci or Louis Vuitton. Bags that undeniably have gained global popularity for their elite status, brand name association and their celebrity association. Dior’s “Lady Dior” bag is an iconic piece that gained momentum and international adoration after its debut on Lady Diana’s arm in 1995. Showing the power branding and association has when it comes to selling a product, in this case a very expensive bag,
Courtesy of Vogue
Since two years ago Clemens Telfars’s bag became the most coveted accessory. His vegan leather and logo encrusted tote-like bag gained immense popularity during the 2002 pandemic after a rise in consciousness towards social injustices. A sentiment that led consumers to appreciate and support Black owned businesses.
The minimalist bag was originally released in 2014, a project Clemens would later improve after winning the CFDA/Vogue fund in 2018. Introducing the bag in a wider range of colors and sizes. Clemens describes the bag as the bodily representation of his vision and business value, one that is driven by inclusivity and is simpler ley unisex, accesible and practical.
Courtesy of Time
It clearly worked as every drop has been sold out!
It makes sense that the bag that revolutionized the way we conceive luxury was designed and created by one of the original ioneers and creators of genderless and inclusive fashion. Telfar was founded in 2005 and since its beginnings, before it became a normality, has placed inclusivity at its forefront. A blueprint fro how we consume androgynous fashion and luxury. Why should luxury be completely exclusive?
Clemens Telfar is the genius mind behind the Tefar brand. A queer, self taught black designer who had set the path for androgynous clothing before it became mainstream. Its slogan says it all “not for you——for everyone”.
Courtesy of Vogue
When we say Telfar really seeks out inclusivity and takes luxury to places one would never associate with fashion we are not lying.
In 2017 he collaborated with his favorite food chain, White Castle, in designing their employees' uniforms. Clemens relationship with the food chain is a strong one as he recalls eating their sliders at 4am after coming in from the city and has even hosted his runway after parties at their Times Square location. Fashion, fast food and music count us in!
Of course the uniforms ar genderless, duh.
Courtesy of W Magazine
Along with the new uniforms, he paired with photographer Jayson Keeling who captured real White Castle employees in and outside of work. Portraying authentic images that show the world a more real side of how fashion is worn.
Telfar also launched a capsule White Castle collection where all proceeds went into paying bail for minors who were detained at Riker Island.
Aside from having gained enormous cult status and popularity, Telfar’s true legacy lies in his journey. When you buy a Telfar bag you are recognizing the work it took for a queer Black aspiring designer who had to work 4 times harder than anyone to receive a fair opportunity.
“Become a queer, Liberian-American eighteen year old, travel back to 2004 and establish a 100% unisex fashion line in New York City.”
Met Gala 2019
Lady Diana catapulted Dior’s bag to icon status, this time around is queer, Black people from New York and the support from celebrities including Solange, Bella Hadid, Gabrielle Union, AOC and of course Beyonce who praised the bag in her latest music album.
Leave it to a marginalized designer to redefine luxury. The sold out design has a stunningly low price, compared to other luxury brand bags, that ranges from 150 - 275 dollars. It has even made its way into Oprah's 2020 O-List.
Fashion and luxury exist in the physical and digital world, and Telfar knows this better than anyone else. Since the pandemic they have been dropping spontaneous drops all which have been sold out. Customers eagerly wait for the announcement and proceed to crash the site. So go ahead and check their official website for information on their next drop, don’t miss out!
