Fact: The Fashion Set Can't Get Enough of These 7 Telfar Bags

When you think of an It bag, what’s the first style to come to mind? Is it a Prada Cleo handbag? Or how about a Bottega Veneta Jodie hobo bag? Historically speaking, handbags that attain cult status have always been from traditional luxury houses. That is until Telfar came along. You’ve most likely encountered a Telfar bag at some point in your life—maybe it was while galivanting through Bushwick, scrolling through Instagram, or even reading some of our guides around Black-owned handbag brands to shop. But no matter how familiar you are with Telfar, it goes without saying that this brand has revolutionized how we view luxury handbags. And the hype is very much worth it. But if you’re not familiar with how this brand gained popularity or just wondering which are the best Telfar handbags to buy, you’ll want to keep reading, as we’ve done a little deep dive on the brand. Whether you’re aiming to add more bags to your collection or want to understand why this brand is so beloved, we’ve got you covered.

While Telfar has gained notoriety in the past few years for its handbags that sell out in seconds, the brand is more than that. The namesake label was founded by the Liberian American designer Telfar Clemens in 2005. Part of what has led to the rise in popularity of this Black-owned brand is Clemens's approach to design, which is all about making fashion accessible for all. That ethos is embodied through androgynous apparel and affordable accessories. Considering how famous this brand is now, it may come as a surprise that it took some time for Telfar to become cemented into the cultural zeitgeist. The iconic shopper tote that Telfar is known for wasn’t even released until the designer’s  F/W 14 show (nine years after the brand’s founding). And even after the release of the now-viral tote, it took three more years for the designer to receive the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund’s top prize in 2017.

From there, Telfar’s handbags began to bubble up as a favorite among the fashion set and were dubbed the “Bushwick Birkin” by makeup artist Xya Rachel. Still, Telfar didn’t get the full love it rightfully deserved, despite its popularity among the fashion set, until 2020. After calls to support Black-owned businesses in the wake of protests following the murder of George Floyd, the brand began to blow up. Telfar’s shopping totes were everywhere—from being featured on The Wendy Williams Show to being spotted on celebrities such as Beyoncé and Oprah. Rather than letting the hype die down, Clemens has kept the brand more relevant than ever through cunning business moves like launching its Bag Security Program with Klarna so customers can preorder the totes in every size and color along with establishing collaborations with Ugg, Moncler, and the Liberian Olympic team and its first-ever blind preorder with Eastpak. 

Basically, Telfar has stayed out here booked and busy, but what makes this brand worth buying into goes beyond the buzz. Clemens’s continued dedication to building the brand over 17 years in an industry in which it’s hard for any designer to make it (much less a designer who identifies as LGBTQ+ and Black) is what makes securing one of these bags all the more special. 

Keep scrolling to see the seven best Telfar bags to shop right now.

Next: 19 Black-Owned Handbag Brands You'll Want to Buy (Before Beyoncé Does)