From the classic Chanel 11.12 bag to the iconic, yet pricey Hermès Birkin bag, purses have proven throughout the years to be the coveted accessory that now comes in every shape, size and color.
Purses that were once designed with practicality at the forefront have now taken a backseat in favor of purses that are trendy and stylish. From the oversized handbag to the more recent mirco purse trend, iconic bags have the power to complete any look. Iconic “it” bags over the years include the Louis Vuitton Speedy, Gucci Jackie, Dior Lady Dior and the Balenciaga City to name just a few. Coveted bags such as these have become a status symbol and they often gain cult followings that have many fighting over the chance to snag one. In the past year, the new bag to secure this title is the Telfar Shopping Bag.
In 2020, the New York Times described the new bag craze as the “Year of Telfar.” From Oprah choosing the Shopping Bag as one of her “favorite things” to Dua Lipa carrying it through the airport, celebrities, politicians and anyone who knows about fashion adores the Telfar bags. The bag has been dubbed the “Bushwick Birkin” for its classic style, structure and practicality. The “Bushwick Birkin” is made of vegan leather and embossed with Telfar’s signature logo. It also comes in a plethora of colors and three different sizes: small, medium and large, perfect for completing any outfit.
The designer behind the must-have bag is Telfar Clemons, a Queens native that started his unisex clothing line in 2005 after graduating from Pace University. He prides his brand on being Black-owned and 100% independent. One of the reasons the bag has become so popular is because of its designer. Clemons has always been a vocal advocate for inclusivity as seen throughout his brand and believes his brand is for everyone. And by “for everyone” this means providing accessibility for the masses to secure a luxury bag at a fair price in comparison to its competitors.
Telfar bags have been known to be hard to get items and normally sell out within minutes. This has caused an influx of resellers that buy the bags and immediately sell them for a profit based on their popularity. In order to combat this issue, Clemons introduced the Bag Security Program in August 2020 that guaranteed buyers the bag by pre-ordering it.
Today, in order to secure the bag, you can keep up with the brand on Twitter or sign up for their email list to be notified. Their drops are often random and announced just the day before. Because the Telfar Shopping Bag is the “it” bag at the moment, be prepared to secure the bag fast before it sells out in minutes.
You can purchase the iconic bags here.