Telfar's impact on the fashion world over the last 20 years is a study in how to grow a loyal fan base with family values and quality goods. To celebrate two decades of being a leading accessories brand and beyond, the fashion house put on a vibrant runway show this weekend in New York City.
As one of the largest and most celebrated Black-owned fashion brands in the world, Telfar made the case for its major role in the designer space by putting on a fashion show unlike any other. The brand hosted its special 20th anniversary show, displaying its Spring/ Summer 2025 collection in an alleyway behind Telfar's flagship store in the SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan. Guests, including Solange Knowles, Kelela, and more, were seated on chairs that lined the concrete Cortlandt alleyway, a famous New York location.
Models strutted down the alleyway wearing the brand's most eclectic and stylish combinations that represented the brand's New York identity. The fashion house's founder and namesake, Telfar Clemens, started the company as a teenager at his family home in Queens. Now, 20 years later, the bags with the signature “T” logo are in high demand and worn by celebrities, including Beyoncé, Dua Lipa, Solange, Megan Thee Stallion, Bella Hadid, and more.
Solange was also in the audience for the show, wearing a black bandeau top and leather skirt. The singer, who's worn custom Telfar for performances, is often cited as the one who promoted the brand in its early years.
For this special runway show, Telfar branched out from the usual model selection and instead included family members and friends, along with models who were fan-chosen from its reality show, New Models. Broadcasting on Telfar's public access show, models competed in a show similar to America's Next Top Model (minus the controversial moments) for a chance to walk in the runway show.
The clothes displayed on Saturday were a capsule from over seven collections, with some pieces being available for purchase now, according to the Telfar team. The runway display was “an expression of the infrastructure we have built over the past three years for our own customers.”
“This show celebrates our 20th anniversary. Everything Telfar couldn’t rely on when we started this line: investors, buyers, factors, distributors, press, celebs, co-signs, d, e or i — we still don’t rely on today,” founder Telfar Clemens wrote in the show notes, according to WWD. “Everything we did rely on — family, friends, vision, bulls–t-alarms and commitment — holds us down to this day.”
Telfar showcased several signature silhouettes that have made the brand famous over the last two decades, including shirt-suits and jackets, their iconic shopping bag, based on the shape of real deli bags, khaki and camouflage clothing, and its signature Tie Bag.
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