In the midst of the apocalyptic dumpster fire known as 2020, world-renown African designer Telfar Clemens blessed us with his line of vegan leather handbags. In honor of Black History Month, I find it fitting to honor one of the most prolific black designers in an industry dominated by white designers. TELFAR’s vegan handbags provide the consumer with an affordable and sustainable alternative to the traditional leather handbag. From politicians and celebrities to the everyday person, all of us sporting TELFAR can feel luxurious without emptying our bank accounts.
Liberian-American designer Telfar Clemens founded his brand TELFAR, a genderless fashion label, in 2005 in Brooklyn, New York. Inspired by the bustling nature of NYC, the everyday apparel of New Yorkers, and the standout pieces seen on the street, Telfar centered his brand around universality. Telfar encapsulated his mission of inclusivity with his slogan, “Not for You, for Everyone". While walking the streets of New York, Telfar was drawn to the site of Bloomingdale’s brown bags. Telfar adopted the silhouette of Bloomingdale’s bag because all of us at one time or another have walked around with shopping bags. The faux-leather bags are worn by the likes of politicians such as AOC, celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Dua Lipa, and by ordinary people, creating a community for people in all walks of life. By creating a gender-natural bag, typically lacking in most major fashion brands, TELFAR welcomes us all.
In the small but growing crowd of black designers, Telfar distinguishes himself as a creator due to his relatable clothing. In 2020, Telfar Clemens won the Fashion Design Award from the Design Museum in London for creating his gender-neutral bags. The release of the bags redefined the traditional idea of luxury because they are widely available earning the nickname, “The Bushwick Birkin”. Telfar Clemens’ affordable handbags just show that fashion is no longer reserved for the elite.
Telfar Clemens’ bags took the fashion community by storm because of its simple message: “Fashion is for Everyone”. Telfar has secured a spot in the affordable luxury scene by providing his consumers with substitutes to luxury leather handbags. In honor of the 50th anniversary of the first LGBTQ Pride Parade, Queerty named him as one of the fifty heroes who are leading the country towards equality, acceptance, and dignity for everyone.
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