Telfar Clemens: The Designer Behind Fashion's Most Coveted Shopping Bag

"This Telfar bag imported, Birkins, them shits in storage" - Beyoncé, Summer Renaissance, 2022

Telfar Clemens has emerged as a beacon of accessibility and inclusivity in an industry often associated with exclusivity. Born to Liberian parents in Queens in 1985, Clemens' upbringing formed his perspective on culture and community. Upon returning to the United States during the outbreak of the second Liberian civil war, Clemens found inspiration in fashion. This led him to establish his eponymous brand, Telfar, while attending Pace University.

Since its launch, Telfar has challenged conventional concepts of luxury, as expressed by the timeless Telfar Shopping Bag, dubbed the "Bushwick Birkin." It combines the names of the once-industrial, now-hip Bushwick neighborhood in Brooklyn and the notoriously Hermès Birkin handbags, which can cost up to six figures. This innovative development reflects Clemens' devotion to making high-end fashion accessible to a diverse audience. In 2017, Clemens' groundbreaking designs earned him the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award, further establishing his status in the industry.

As Telfar shopping bags are constantly sold out, in 2020, a bag security program was created (BSP). This is a limited-time event where you can pre-order any color, size, and quantity of the bags. Clemens recently unveiled Telfar TV, a shopping channel offering brand-exclusive content and curated selections accessible via various platforms. It is a 24hr Live-Linear TV network in collaboration with the Ummah Chroma Collective. In addition to serving as a venue for the Telfar team to make announcements, and a way for fans to be a part of the team, you can upload videos of yourself and your Telfar items and may be eligible for a free bag in exchange for your contributions.

If we can create an ecology between our business and the freedom of this channel, we will be able to develop programming on the scale of any other channel — without the corporate oversight/overseers — and because we sell bags and clothes and not human beings — we can allow artists to retain ownership of their work. Because our DRIP structure incentivizes a small but tight audience — we can give people real creative freedom. It’s not for you– it’s for everyone. It’s not for everyone, it’s for everyone. The world isn’t everything. Peace <3

— TELFAR

Clemens' goal with Telfar TV is to democratize fashion by providing a unique shopping experience accessible to all. By leveraging social media and innovation, Clemens continues to break down barriers and redefine the fashion landscape.

His collections reinforce his belief that fashion should be inclusive, accessible, and reflective of the diverse world we live in. By embracing his mantra, “It’s not for you, it’s for everyone” and remaining true to his values, Clemens has cemented his position as a pioneer in the industry.