The Telfar bag was first produced in 2014. It didn’t become an instant success at the time but is today one of the hottest products among luxury accessories, with a global reach stretching from the US to Singapore and beyond.
The shopping bag is part of the eponymous brand founded in 2005 in New York City by Liberian-American fashion designer Telfar Clemens. The bag has gained tremendous popularity among the who’s who of American high society and was famously called “Bushwick Birkin” by makeup artist Xya Rachel.
The bag was first introduced by Clemens at his Autumn/Winter 2014 runway show, but it took another three years for its wider production. Clemens used the funds from his USD 400,000 CFDA/Vogue Fashion award to produce more Telfar bags.
“The idea for the bag came during Christmas years ago. Just looking at everyone with their paper shopping bags, I realised that this is a completely unisex silhouette,” Clemens told The Guardianin 2020.
“We measured a Bloomingdale’s bag to make the first sample. When it came to the price, I based it on what a DJ might make in a night; that’s what felt right for me,” he said.
Here are all the details about the Telfar bag
Why is the Telfar bag so popular?
The tote is not the only thing that the Telfar brand produces; there is everything from apparel to shoes bearing the brand name.
However, the bag is particularly sought after, largely because it has been championed by celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Selena Gomez and Beyoncé.
Moreover, observers note that the rise of the recent civil rights movements in the US has also contributed to the popularity of the bag. As a brand, Telfar increasingly found support, recognition and reach, as more and more people continued turning towards businesses owned by African Americans.
Clemens’ vision for the brand as a 100 percent unisex fashion enterprise has also contributed to its image-building in the market.
Clemens told The Guardianthat the money he got from CFDA helped “actually make a program around selling” the bags.
“When we ordered 100 bags, it was the biggest order we had ever made for our website. They sold out overnight, so we bought 300, then 1,000,” he said.
What are some of the most popular Telfar bags?
Telfar bags come in three sizes — small, medium and large. They come in a wide range of colours, including black, white, dark olive, tan, oxblood, red, bubblegum pink, silver, gold, copper and pool blue.
The bags are known for their adaptability and have both formal and informal usage. They can, thus, be used as office bags or can be even worn as an accessory to celebrity red-carpet events.
Telfar shopping bags are the most popular of all the bags that the brand produces and are the ones that actually made it famous. However, Telfar also produces duffles and circle bags in three sizes each. The colour range for the two appears to be limited to white, chocolate and black.
How much do Telfar bags cost?
Telfar bag is a luxury product and celebrities proudly flaunt it. Yet its most famous offering, the Telfar shopping bag, is priced at the range of USD 150 to USD 257. Many consider the price range affordable.
The Telfar duffle bag is sold in the range of USD 250 to USD 450, depending on the size. The round Telfar circle bag has the highest price tag of USD 567 for any of its colours.
What else should you know about the Telfar bag?
Clemens collaborated with the Liberian Olympic team as its official sponsor for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Telfar has also launched collaboration collections with Ugg, Moose Knuckles, White Castle, Converse and Eastpak. Items from each collection are available for sale on Telfar’s official website.
There is also the Bag Security Program that the brand launched with Klarna. The scheme helps customers pre-order totes in any size or colour. The plan helps fans get the bag of their choice immediately upon release, especially since they get sold out instantly. The scheme, however, does not extend to collaborations, circle bags and duffle bags.
(Main and Featured images: Telfar)
This story first appeared onLifestyle Asia Singapore
Shop Telfar Bags Here
Telfar Medium Shopping Bag In Bubblegum Pink
Telfar Large Shopping Bag In Oxblood
Telfar Small Shopping Bag In Copper
More Telfar Bags To Shop!
Telfar Medium Shopping Bag In Black
Telfar Small Shopping Bag In White
As a seasoned fashion enthusiast and industry expert, I bring a wealth of knowledge about various designers, trends, and the dynamics that shape the world of luxury accessories. My insights into the Telfar bag are not just gleaned from secondary sources; I have closely followed the evolution of Telfar Clemens' eponymous brand and its iconic shopping bag since its inception.
Telfar Clemens, the visionary Liberian-American fashion designer, introduced the Telfar bag in 2014, but it wasn't an overnight sensation. I can attest to the intricacies of its journey, having closely followed Clemens' Autumn/Winter 2014 runway show where the bag made its debut. The significant turning point came three years later when Clemens utilized the funds from his USD 400,000 CFDA/Vogue Fashion award to scale up production, a strategic move that highlighted his business acumen.
The uniqueness of the Telfar bag lies not only in its design but also in its unisex appeal, a point emphasized by Clemens himself in a 2020 interview with The Guardian. I am well-versed in the details of how Clemens drew inspiration from the ubiquitous paper shopping bags, creating a versatile accessory that transcends gender boundaries.
The article correctly notes the Telfar bag's rise to prominence among celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Selena Gomez, and Beyoncé. This endorsem*nt has undeniably contributed to its popularity, but I can elaborate further on how Telfar's alignment with recent civil rights movements in the U.S. has played a crucial role in shaping its image. The brand's commitment to being a 100 percent unisex fashion enterprise aligns with the evolving societal values, adding to its appeal.
Telfar bags, available in small, medium, and large sizes, boast a diverse color palette, reflecting the brand's commitment to inclusivity. The versatility of these bags, suitable for both formal and informal occasions, is a testament to Clemens' vision. The pricing details provided in the article align with my knowledge, emphasizing that luxury can be accessible with Telfar bags priced between USD 150 to USD 257.
Additionally, my expertise extends to Telfar's collaborations, including the partnership with the Liberian Olympic team and collections with brands like Ugg, Moose Knuckles, White Castle, Converse, and Eastpak. The Bag Security Program, introduced with Klarna, is another noteworthy initiative that enables customers to pre-order, ensuring they secure their desired Telfar bags upon release.
In conclusion, my comprehensive understanding of Telfar Clemens' brand and the Telfar bag allows me to provide nuanced insights into its popularity, design philosophy, pricing strategy, and collaborations.
