After many years of business, the highly coveted brand TELFAR is opening its first flagship store on November 23rd. Located in NYC, it’s a half-retail boutique, half-public access television studio.
Telfar’s Legacy (So Far)
TELFAR — a Black-owned, non-gendered label founded by designer Telfar Clemens in 2004 — is best known for its colorful handbags. Recognized for its unique selling model and unmistakable logo, it’s the most successful black-owned brand in history. After years in business, TELFAR is still experiencing massive growth, with over three million customers in the last 4 years. The most inspiring part? Clemens did it all without any investors, any stores or traditional advertising. Instead, he relied on his community to go viral.
Their First Flagship Store
Now, TELFAR is embarking on their next historic milestone by opening a brick-and-mortar in the city of its founding. It will also be the new studio home of TELFARTV — an interactive digital show created by the brand in 2021. There will be a cinematic soundstage for customers to take photos; to one up that, customers can then upload their content to a billboard-sized LED screen spanning the store’s exterior. There’s even a broadcast-desk for uncensored news and live community radio.
Situated in the heart of Soho off Canal Street and Broadway, the 10,000-square-foot store will feature seasonal apparel and a floor-to-ceiling display of their highly sought-after shopping bags. The sold-out bags will be available year-round in every color – a never-before-seen addition to their business model.
According to the brand, they aim to “rekindle the basis of all real New York culture: loitering.… and re-energize the city’s fashion retail landscape” through the opening of their new store.
A Special Grand Opening
What else can fans expect at the grand opening? In true TELFAR fashion, it will celebrated with a live episode of TELFARTV. In the format of a talent contest, shoppers will have the opportunity to appear on the digital show and have the chance to win a free bag. Live Judges include NY icons, friends of TELFAR and Clemmons himself. Additionally, an exclusive new secret bag will be revealed, made in limited quantities for the event. And once they’re gone, they’re gone. Note: this is an RSVP-only situation.
Another thing we know for sure? Lines will be out the door and wrapped around the block, with devoted fans ready to immerse themselves in this next chapter.
