The Telfar Shopping Bag: A Symbol of Progressivism

Telfar is a brand renowned for being affordable and inclusive while remaining prestigious. After 15 years in business, Telfar is being embraced by public figures such as Solange and Bella Hadid, proving that the brand is on the cusp of mainstream recognition. The label is rooted in inclusivity, as Liberian-American designer Telfar Clemens creates attire intended for all genders. One exceptional product exemplifies the company's mission statement, “not for you, for everyone”: the coveted Telfar bag, the creation that brought its label to prominence.

The Telfar shopping bag’s 2014 debut was met with widespread acclaim due to it being the first of its kind that simultaneously black-owned and gender-neutral. The bag’s groundbreaking success won Telfar the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award, the prize money of which funded the creation of new, Bloomingdale’s-inspired bags of various sizes. Most emblematic of the bags’ inherent progressivism is Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s enjoyment of them, which she proudly displayed on her Instagram. A politician reputed for championing social justice causes, Ocasio-Cortez commends Telfar for being a fellow New Yorker of color having earned such fame and success.

Telfar’s growing eminence is due in part to the political landscape influencing consumers’ perception of the label. The encouragement to support black business increases with each passing year, a growing number of fashion enthusiasts continues to experiment with gender expression through clothing, and now the peak of the Black Lives Matter movement has transformed the public’s understanding of societal racism. Thus, Telfar’s loyalty to uplifting it’s more marginalized demographics is intrinsic to its rising fame.

Photo Credits: Getty Images

Report: Nia Hunt

The Gap Collaboration That Never Was

Kanye West’s announcement of his upcoming partnership with Gap led many to wonder about the company’s previously announced collaboration with the brand Telfar. Much to their disappointment, Gap officially confirmed that Yeezy Gap will actually occur in place of the originally planned Telfar x Gap. Gap has clarified that Telfar will be financially compensated for the cancellation, but the schedule change is a missed opportunity all the same.

Interestingly, many have applauded Nigerian-British designer Mowalola Ogunlesi becoming design director of Yeezy Gap as a victory for black creatives. Telfar is also a black-owned brand, a fact that opens itself to speculation about whether or not the same praise would be elicited from the public if the partnership with Gap had actually transpired. This conjecture is further substantiated by the brand’s fan base’s anticipation for the prospective collaboration and eventual letdown when it did not come into fruition. Nonetheless, the possibility of a future partnership with Telfar has not been completely eliminated, as design samples for the intended unification are still in Gap’s possession. More importantly, Gap continuing to ally with black-owned brands will bring black creatives the mainstream prominence that they deserve.

Photo credit:

https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/news-analysis/kayne-west-yeezy-gap-collab-telfar http://www.telfar.net/collections/SS2018/lookbook/4

Report: Nia Hunt