BRAND

Telfar, a fashion brand founded by Telfar Clemens, has gained fame for its unisex, vegan faux leather shopping bag. While drawing inspiration from designers like Jean Paul Gaultier and Vivienne Westwood, Telfar prioritizes accessibility in both clothing and accessories while creating an air of exclusivity. Clemens finds inspiration in everyday encounters, from big-box stores to the outfits of strangers he observes while riding his bike through the streets of New York. With a commitment to inclusive design, Telfar has carved a unique space in the fashion industry.


HISTORY

Telfar Clemens discovered his passion for fashion during high school in New York City. He founded the Telfar brand in 2005 while studying at Pace University. At the time, Telfar was already marketing unisex clothing, a concept that was ahead of major design houses like Gucci, Tom Ford, and Balenciaga, which later embraced coed runway shows. Clemens sustained himself by working as a model and DJ while developing his brand. In 2013, with the addition of creative partner Babak Radboy, Telfar found the perfect collaborator to structure the brand for success. Notably, the release of the Telfar Shopping Bag in 2014, dubbed the "Bushwick Burkin," propelled the brand's popularity. Telfar's dedication to his craft paid off in 2020, as his bags gained immense popularity during the pandemic, leading to sold-out collections and earning Telfar the title of "the Year of Telfar" by The New York Times.


DESIGNER

Telfar Clemens, a self-taught and queer black designer from Queens, New York, is the driving force behind the Telfar brand. He established his eponymous fashion house in 2005, offering genderless and unisex collections well before it became a trend in the fashion market. Clemens' commitment to accessibility and practicality is evident in his designs, epitomized by the Telfar Shopping Bag, which represents the brand's transition from an idea to a business. Notably, Clemens gained recognition for redesigning White Castle's uniforms and released a capsule collection that supported the bail of minors from Rikers Island. His dedication to horizontal fashion, breaking traditional hierarchies, and fostering inclusivity has garnered a dedicated and cult-like following. In 2018, Clemens won the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award, further solidifying his impact on the industry. With notable supporters like Solange, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Ashton Sanders, Telfar's influence continues to resonate in both pop culture and the fashion world.