I wonder how much of the affordable luxury branding is coming from the business being black owned. People seem to move real different and expect cheaper prices when it's black owned. Maybe I'm wrong.
No you’re very correct lol someone said it’s supposed to be affordable and accessible for black ppl and I don’t see them make that expectation for any other luxury brand … cause it’s not realistic 🥴
You aren't wrong. I own a small jewelry shop and because it is black owned, people expect the quality to be cheaper and therefore the price to reflect that. Not only do I have the YEARS of education to back up my prices but experience and hands on training, I source my stones and metals from reliable sources that do not use slave or child labor nor contribute in the use of slave or child labor to obtain the materials. Alot of these sources I had to vet myself to meet MY standards. Meaning hiring translators or learning the local language myself, traveling to different countries, learning different cultures/etiquettes, hiring protection, ect. It's annoying and frustrating especially when it's black folk who whine about prices for custom jewelry that takes time and effort to make.
@@lovelydeath04 I truly feel for you. I almost put in my original comment that black owned businesses should use a fake face to front the business. Which is messed up to think but people out here make me think that's what it will take to see a black luxury brand get the same respect and prestige as Hermes, Cartier, etc. I just feel like if people can't afford it that's the end of the story. No haggling or discounting at the luxury level *especially* toward black owned businesses.
Telfar is a great person but he has always wanted his brand to be successful. I worked on their PR team in 2013 and he funded it all. He was always a luxury, expensive brand. The “shopping bag” was the only cheaper item and he did that for the love. He is a luxury brand. Either love it or don’t.
Telfar is a fashion house . You not being able to afford their high tickets items is not going to stop them. It’s smart marketing. Ppl that can afford them will continue to buy. Their shopping bag was made to be affordable lol that’s it .
It cost what it cost. 🤷🏾♀️. Are people out here quibbling and haggling with Hermes, Balmain, and Balenciaga about their prices and catering to an exclusive clientele? If not, then hold that same energy for Telfar. This is a luxury brand and some people’s responses is giving they want Telfar to be Target.
EXACTLY! And it goes back to this notion of why black businesses can’t succeed. Black people inherently have this entitlement thinking that other Black businesses need to be affordable to them but will spend money with those higher luxury brands on buying non-Black people OR even worse, act like they’re doing the brand a favour!
EXACTLY. Luxury is not affordable. Great comfort and extravagant living (the definition of luxury) does not come cheap. If anything the affordability is relative to OTHER luxury items out on the market, not relative to what the average person can afford.
I'll just add that the Prada Nylon bags....which are not leather are around £800....minimum and people have no problem buying them. So Telfar can charge what they want for a non leather bag. It's the luxury game and I don't see a problem with it.
I think Telfar’s designs are cute, but I would never pay more than $50 for a faux-leather bag. I can’t speak for Telfar’s quality but I’ve never had a faux-leather item that lasted more than a year. I’ve had genuine leather pieces from a bunch of heritage leather brands that have lasted me 7, 8 years now and that’s what I need if I’m spending over $200. People being upset about not being able to buy a bag is ridiculous to me. At this point it’s just for the name. I’m happy Telfar was able to get so popular, but if people want another luxury black-owned bag company, they should just get a Brandon Blackwood bag. I’m gonna get myself one for my birthday this year 😌.
Telfar has always been expensive. Over $200 for a bag is expensive! It’s just not as expensive as these insane designer brands which some of their stuff costing over $10k for one item. Coach is often called not expensive, but their items are also between 100 - 2k, which is expensive. Every brand has lowered price items to get you to buy something as an add on - it’s a marketing strategy to get you to spend more. The lower priced items are also a way to slowly tier you to spend more.
@@TheBadbitch27 cost is relative - for something you don’t necessarily need (bags/purses are not a necessity), it can be considered expensive. Some people save to pay for a telfar purse (just like some people save to pay for ugly old lady purse Chanel). It is just not AS expensive as other brands, which makes people then tier the brands by price so that it seems more affordable in comparison when all of it is expensive for what it is. I love telfar and I have a telfar x Ugg shopping bag (one of my fav purses), but when $200 can fill some people’s gas so they can get to work I am not going to minimize the relative expensiveness of the purse when you can get the same-ish style for $10 - $20 from Amazon, etc.
@@ReagenDozier that's why I said objectively, of all bags, it isn't expensive it's mid-price. It's a fact that some people can't afford it but in the grand scheme of things its only 125-150 more than an H&M bag
All luxury brands have those “affordable” items to get you buying products. That’s why there’s $500 sunglasses or $200 tshirts. They want you to feel “special” or”important” for buying luxury so you’ll comeback and buy more. Telfar is no different than any other brands marketing.
I’m just going to be the one to say, the “issue” Telfar is having is that He’s black. Let me explain. Generally, as a community black people will ask for “discounts”, or “hook me up” because…they’re “family”. Many probably viewed Telfar as a “cousin” with a new business in that way and feel like because we’re also black we should be getting the hook up. At the end of the day, he has a business and wants it to be a luxury one and not everyone can afford that but I think simply because he’s black what was his initial audience that helped grow the brand feels like he should be “looking out for his people”. Hopefully that makes sense🤷🏾♀️
I agree a little but not entirely. The bag is of low quality for the price. I understand about supply and demand that makes the prices higher however the other contemporary brands(Coach, MC, Marc Jacobs) who is within the same price range is of better quality so worth investing in. I don’t think the price is the main issue it’s availability and quality for the people who are interested in buying.
It's not the first time Telfar has done this, this year. They did it with Azeala maybe two weeks after the shopping bag sold out. All the people that complain should just wait for the bag security if they don't want to play a guessing game. Just sign up for his emails.
Oh yeah I saw that; I’ve been waiting on the azalea color to drop (and have also been considering getting the black in small) but when they dropped both it was only purchasable if you bought that apparel line too. I was just like, I’ll wait until it drops again by itself, or like you said wait until the bag security program. It’s not a huge deal and the bags drop on rotation, so if you don’t get it now you’ll get it at some point.
I think it’s a twofold issue. 1.) People don’t understand that luxury is inherently exclusive and part of being a luxury item is that exclusivity. It’s not supposed to be accessible to everyone. 2.) It’s a black brand and for some reason we feel like we should be their focus audience for everything. That’s not to say that there aren’t wealthy black people who can afford their luxury items but MOST of us can’t. We feel like he should be catering to the average and not the outliers. I absolutely agree with your assessment and feel like people have really projected their feelings on this black owned, luxury brand and believe that it should be for everyone. That’s not how it works, unfortunately.
Thank you so much for saying this. I was in a r/telfar thread once and a commenter really said "He did not have to choose to share his art with the world" I responded reminding her that this was a company that makes bags for a profit. You would've thought he cured cancer the way she was talking
omg i can't wait to watch this..... because those tweets about the person who owned their bag for 4 years and are mad about the quality.... i'm like dude you owned a pleather bag and it lasted you so long. what do you expect from a bag that you carry every day. you got your money's worth! people asked for black luxury and they gave us that. and then when they improve materials and makes lines that are premium with higher prices people get mad. like what! every brand does that, you can't be mad at a brand for having different tiers. look at Ralph Lauren for example. they have the main line that has pieces that are hundreds to over a thousand dollars and then they have the stuff you can get at Macy's. all i gotta say is, Telfar is for the people. and be real with your expectations!
When I want to support a Black business, I go to a local Black owned business. The way my wallet works, I cannot see myself owning anything from this brand. And I am fully aware that this is a mutual understanding, neither one of us is missing a moment's sleep over this.
I didn’t even know it was faux leather until this video. That’s definitely a negative. I wasn’t going to buy it because it’s not cute to me anyway but for faux leather I might as well purchase from Adrienne Bailón brand, La Voute for half the price.
Exactly! I have a small natural hair/skin business and customers like you are ideal. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 People overlook their local businesses for popularity. Even when the quality isn’t better.
Well in NYC, the local artsy/fashion/creative scene people were supporting a local Black owned brand, hence the name “Bushwick (a neighborhood in Brooklyn) Birkin”. Those people network, and some of them are influencers or have many followers, which helped kick off Telfar’s popularity prior to the 2020 support Black business movement.
I’ve never understood the “but what if I don’t have the money later, and I only have it now” argument because why would you buy something now if it would put you in financial strains later? Your financial negligence is not on the company. If you don’t like the branding, promotion, or ethos of a brand DONT BUY FROM THEM! Why give them your money if you don’t agree with their business ethics?
If people are paying $900-$5000 for Louis Vuitton or $8,000 (Starting price) for Hermes, then people can pay luxury prices for Teflon. Our people (Black) can support the company or not. Black owned businesses deserve to charge luxury prices like the predominantly white fashion houses ALWAYS do each year, so I hope people don't stop supporting that fashion house. Fingers crossed 🤞
That Telfar bag is not my Aesthetic. Many years ago I bought a Dooney Bourke bag because it was what’s hot at the time and I didn’t like that bag at all. So I decided that I will have to Love every bag that I buy no matter the cost. My first Coach bag changed the game for me. Back when Coach had a lifetime warranty on their leather bags. After learning how it feels to absolutely Love a bag, just wanting to be in the conversation about a brand doesn’t do it for me. But of course if luxury is in the description of the brand, why are people confused and disappointed?
I'm trying to figure out the same thing but there are a lot of women with Gucci and LV bags that are made of canvas, the prices are crazy for those but why are people complaining about the price of Telfar bags but bash women who adore coach, Armani or micheal kors because that's not the staple of luxury.
Most luxury brands have “entry level” points. The shopping bag is simply the entry point into the world of Telfar. Just like the CLA 250 is to Benz and A4/5 is to Audi.
Entry level luxury is a thing. Automakers do it ALL the time. Luxury by definition means something that is exclusive and highly desirable. The price of an item doesn't always denote luxury.
I’m team why be mad when you wasn’t gonna get the item in the first place. It’s folks who ain’t into these brand that only get mad to draw views on they page and accounts. Next
Black people gotta stop. We stretch a couple pay days for some Louis, Gucci, ysl, Givenchy, etc.. Let’s help get a brand by one of ours in the prestigious lane. People were shitting on Telfar after the Beyonce lyric. We have a bigger point to prove here. If you’re into lux brands and fashion, a signature item priced much higher is not new or unusual.
But the Gucci bag will last you FOREVER. My mother has Gucci purses and luggage from the 80s that are in pristine condition today. Why pay $300 for a purse that will fall apart? In all honesty, you could spend $300 on a quality leather Coach bag that will last forever even with everyday use. I know it cause i have plenty lol they’re all still in great condition.
@@jasminegreene8159 there are other designer bags that are not leather like Stella McCartney vegan bags and Prada nylon. Bad comparison. Also You expect a $150 bag to last as long as one that is thousands? Are you kidding?
I have my Telfar collection but let’s be clear Telfar isn’t affordable. Yes it’s more affordable than other designer brands. & it’s not everyone’s style. BB has some vegan and leather bags but the customer service and quality control needs work. Telfar has been true to their brand. They’re going to continue to evolve and drop more options. The quality of vegan leather is important to how long it’ll last as well. I love their marketing strategy, it works for them.
The issue with Telfar - the quality is not great even at their “affordable”’price point. I’ve had better made bags from H&M. It’s not quality and it ain’t no Hermes. I’ll spend for quality - Brandon Blackwood has beautiful bags and they’re well made. Worth the price point.
And when Brandon raised his prices because he started using real leather ppl started talking mess too but the quality is consistent. I have 3 bags of his and the quality is great and this is before he started using real leather
So this is my 1st intro to this Channel and immediately I subscribed. I had no idea what your take on the topic would be but I was interested in the topic & I was not disappointed. You had me when you started w/ Para Social relationships w/ Brands (a topic I think about but rarely hear someone discuss) but then you ending the point w/ the same as far as ppl going full warrior status for brands like Shein. I like how you gave a well thought out / non bias perspective on this. I am one of those ppl who understands fully what Telfar is and has done as far as marketing and accessibility but also understand how sooooo many have missed the mark out of entitlement. Reading thru many comments I agree that affordable luxury can be an oxymoron but also having a styling background I also understand that you set the tone for luxury in your life BUT that NEVER means that brand is going to always be 100% aligned with you & vice versa!.... For instance Coach/ Ralph Lauren having outlets .... immediately NOT a high end luxury brand. Lack of exclusivity at this point makes it basic .. BUT RL has the Purple Label .... untouchable. I could go on but I will end on ppl need to not be so entitled and define your own luxury and fit in where you can get in OR create your own space. So many are NEVER satisfied and always want to keep up the Joneses ..... but like STILL ?? lol Chile ... get a personality .. it can take you further than a Birken! xo
This is ridiculous. How about people just stay in their lane? If you can’t afford something either work hard to get the money to purchase the luxury item or move around and go where you feel like you are getting your money’s worth.
Whenever it a black brand people wanna question the price but let that be Gucci or any other european brand and the turn over their money without question. The audacity.
I have the small and medium bag. The small one is too small. However, the medium one is ok, but the strap doesn’t adjust. Where the bag falls it can become uncomfortable. I have to carry it by the handles. Although a $200+ bag should have an adjustable strap for that price and length.
You make a great point about the lack of discourse around parasocial relationships with brands! I've recently seen only a few posts about this in beauty subreddits, where people are questioning the reason for their brand loyalty and realizing it may not make much sense, especially when it comes to skincare where the brand wasn't actually meeting their needs. Very fascinating stuff -- the whole being-chronically-online thing has changed the nature of consumerism a lot.
Perhaps the reaction of some folks to Telfar “selling out after ‘we’ put them on”, is a sad commentary on us being so desperate to have something of our own yknow? We get this sense of ownership, not fully realizing the true intent of black designers/companies is to make us look fly but also to make money like you said. I don’t fault Telfar for people misinterpreting what they’re about.
That's what's been keeping me from buying it. If they wanted to be eco-friendly or environmentally friend or ethical or whichever they're going for, they could use recycled leather at least. I'm sorry, I need leather.
I got my Telfar & i will say i was shocked that the leather wasn’t butter soft but i wouldn’t complain! It’s the size, it’s the options, it’s exclusive & it’s a black man! I have yet to see a Telfar post saying the bag broke or tore or gets raggedy over time! I love it & will buy again!
I’m in the minority I always found the bags basic and over priced for what they are. I don’t do the hard to get things when I want something I expect to be able to buy it. I also think it’s crazy to expect consumers to buy something else to simply be able to get the possibility of buying a bag that again is basic. See this is why I can’t but I don’t mess with a lot of brands 🤷🏿♀️
Ya the bags look pretty basic, cheap $40 pleather and becoming too popular and common. And agree I can't be bothered with hard to get purses jumping through all these hoops! I hate their marketing, by now Telfar should have had several stores and have a constant, steady bag stock supply online, instead of people waiting for certain day drops, like they're waiting for free food pantry stuff! I rather exclusives like my recent splurge on Goyard, then have classics all leather Tory Burch, Marc Jacobs, and wanna try the Brandon line.
People get real attached to these brands….but for me it’s always about the bags. I love bags so I can’t get into the drama that’s always happening around brands. It gets so maddening. Smh. Can we breathe.
Update: I been following telfar from the beginning and his bags have kind of evolved but he has always been about having fashion that is for everyone (men and women) I personally love unisex items so I been wanting this bag since I was a poor college student. But what the hell people saying telfar is affordable luxury? Like who said dat?
Also, something that I don’t think is pointed out a lot is that it’s actually WILDLY expensive considering that it’s a shopping bag. It’s not a structured purse though people are using it as such. It’s comparable to a $10 tote bag in terms of usability/function. From the website (medium size), “fits a laptop + your daily survival kit”. It’s literally a tote bag - single open, carry all space.
@@gsunsetave A Neverfull comes with a removal pouch that doubles as a clutch/pocket and has a zipper pocket inside. A Telfar shopping bag has neither. I’m not trying to come for the brand but it’s literally an expensive tote bag.
@@tigersfunn13 Telfar has a zipper pocket inside. You're correct about the lack of removable pouch, however, the difference in price when the fabric is comparable is honestly not worth the 1K.
There are photos and videos of people's bags PEELING and falling apart after a year or under. I would NEVER support any business who is putting out cr@p quality period! You're paying over $150+ for a bag that falls apart in that amount of time? Absolutely unacceptable.
@@justshanygne they so scary in there esp. when they were mad about not being able to collect darker shades of the blush cause it was made for darker skin tones literally seething
I’ve seen a brand dramatically increase their price for their vegan bag… started off at $250 -$300 then jumped to starting at over $500…. overnight. Days ones don’t appreciate that and the small dismissive camp of, “if you can’t afford it, just say that” will only purchase so much at the higher price. I understand it’s business but it feels like bad risky business. But it doesn’t sound like Telfar did that. Perhaps people made an assumption, listened to the wrong influencers or heard conflicting messaging. Or maybe it’s a little of all of that. I browsed the other items for sale when the hype was big about their shopping bag and quickly saw that the pricing of their other products and my bank account were not in agreement.
Chanel is starting to do this practice as well. It seems to be in the works with all luxury brands. ALL major lux brands have "entry level prices". The perfumes, makeup, sunglasses are ALL made to lure people to commit to buying into the real products. There are tiers to luxury. You buy the perfume then want a bag. Then save for the bag and get it. Then you want another and maybe move into swimwear and so on. The "entry level" items are more often than not are logo heavy. That way you become the ad to help push them forward.
I got that email and how I read it was if you purchased an item from the track collection you get the opportunity to purchase a black shopping bag. That wasn’t some exclusive you can only get the black shopping bag that way thing.
I see several comments about how the bags aren’t real leather. What’s crazy is how many big name brands sell faux leather items-that aren’t nearly as tasteful-for similar prices or more and people aren’t upset about that? I personally like buying bags on etsy-easier to see where it’s coming from, lasts longer, there isn’t hella branding depending on the shop (which, if you like that-do you, boo), and it’s always unique. Not that I thrive on being different-I simply like what I like. If it’s different, cool, if not, cool. Many shops also offer reasonably priced customizations. I don’t think I’ll ever get into the big or “super expensive because of the name” brand thing. I don’t care about status symbols or having people know what I can afford or not. I just want my bags to be versatile, classy, and hold my shit.lol😅 Brands are not my friend, brands don’t owe me anything, I don’t owe brands anything, I am not attached to any brand, and what other people do with their money has nothing to do with me.🤷🏾♀️
$1,292 😳, Girl that is almost my whole check working my 9-5 with my 80 hours. I wouldn't be able to eat if I did that. I am not mad that the brand wants to be luxury, We should see more Black own brands become luxury. But people getting mad just because they brought one bag. And expected the brand to be affordable, is just weird. Before I start buying from a brand online nowadays, I always look to see if I could afford it normally. And if I would have to give up eating and have my lights on to afford the brand. Baby, that means I can't afford it. I wouldn't go to the company and get mad at it🤦♀️
People will ALWAYS find something to complain about with a black owned brand (not everyone Ofcourse). I love my Telfar bags and there’s nothing wrong with the quality of them. Using vegan leather is a decision he made and is a part of what helps keep pricing at a lower point. Once again people will complain either way. People who don’t want/can’t afford it should just move on.
I really like your honest take on this subject and I like that you were very honest about the way that luxury makes everyone feel and this is one reason why people have this expectation. They wanna feel included in the exclusive group. It is a business and there to make money...whether black owned or not. You don't see white people or any other culture saying things about brands started and demanding a certain price point, they just buy what they can afford to buy and move on....simple as that. Also, I think people need to realize your not missing out cause you don't have luxury items...they don't make you, you make it.
Yes, exactly. I also bought it and the I looked at the material and the functionality on the inside and said.. isa no. Lol.. correction!! I meant to say I ALMOST bought it. Lol
This bag is literally called a “shopping bag” it was designed for you to go shopping with it and use it as a reusable bag. Yes it’s cute but it’s literally not meant to be a handbag. (Even tho I use it as a handbag as well🤣🤣😅) so of course when he launches a REAL handbag it will be more expensive. Also when you compare the shopping bags to other shopping bags this is relatively way more expensive. But again. Expensive is relative PS I just reread this and this sounds aggressive but I’m agreeing with you LOL
The thing I cant do about Telfar is the quality doesn’t match the price, ever. I feel like I bought a glorified H&M bag, and dare I say, those are better. There’s nothing luxury about it and they actually do need to improve to show forth actual worth. Faux leather, weak snap, bent up bag, straps, no hardware, pls. The competition is SHEIN.
Is there really such a thing as an affordable, accessible luxury brand? Also, I do think they're kind of wrong for making the purchase of the black bag *available* if you buy one of the tracksuit items, especially since I just checked and the track suit collection is sold out so I guess even if the bag was still in stock (which is kind of unclear), you couldn't buy it
😂🤣 Like how y’all not know the definition and synonyms of the word “Luxury”. There’s a dictionary app 😂 I will say, these “luxury” brands have been selling basic items and overpricing them. Ppl are so caught up in “flexing” on strangers, they don’t know high prices does NOT equal high quality 🤷🏾♀️ SN: Some of these luxury items are absolutely hideous 😭😂🤣
I mean my cousin and her daughter had telfar bags but did a go fund me for a funeral come on..... priorities people....paying for college tuition and my husband is retired so NO
I was the video you stitched, I think this video made more sense to me when I watched it in it’s entirety. I’m ngl I was coming from a place of bitterness because I wanted the black mini and didn’t want to buy the shorts to get the bag on time, but patience is key. Thank you for this better understanding because I thought telfar stated they were an affordable luxury brand to find out that they’ve never said that, so thank you for this insight!
Honestly, being a "Black owned" anything is EXHAUSTING. Folks want Gucci quality, with Amazon delivery speed and a restock turn around time of Zara, with Target pricing and sales. It does not and cannot work like that for a multitude of reasons. I've literally been advised to be a "ghost" designer, use white models and not to show myself until my brand is big because I'm likely to get support more easily that way. It sucks.
I totally agree. I sew for a living and I'm slowly losing my passion for it because of dealing one on one with people. They want designer quality without the price and made authentic speed of light. meanwhile I'm a one woman army as well as a mom of a 5yr old
@@Autonomous111 I feel you! this is why i rarely accept custom orders. I have literally had someone send me a picture of an outfit worn at the MET GALA and was not please that it could not be created at such a low budget.
BS, as usual if you want the bag buy the bag. If you can’t afford, it sit down. It’s a luxury brand, Hermes had the rudest CS, but people stand in line for their stuff.
@@MyCrownstar The vibe I'm getting from the brand is that there are enough people who can and will buy the bag, that they don't have to concern themself with the people who can't and are mad about it. It'll sell no matter who is buying it 🤦🏻♀️
Black owned brands don't owe anybody affordability. We don't hold non-black brands to this standard. Furthermore, why do we expect black-owned brands to be "affordable" by default. The term luxury means that it's not for everyone.
Unpopular opinion, I do think that Telfar is an "affordable luxury" brand. Especially considering the quality, or lack thereof, of their vegan leather. I'm looking to sell my medium chocolate Telfar bag. I got a Cuyana leather tote that is much more durable and cost me less money. Like the idea of buying from a black-owned brand, but personally I was disappointed by the quality. I think a full-sized tote that is less that $300 is "affordable luxury." Also, I agree with you said about people expecting the brand to be "accessible." It is still a business.
I bought two small Telfar 'Shopping Bags' with the bag security program last year. I was disappointed by (what I perceive as) the lower quality construction. I have no issue with them being vegan leather, but the bag just felt flimsy in comparison to other Black-owned luxury brands I have for similar prices (Brandon Blackwood, CISE, Diamond Elizabeth, Amina Iris). I did purchase the Telfar x Eastpak collaboration backpack to use as an every day work bag, and it was MUCH better quality than the 'Shopping Bags'. I'm assuming the quality is improved across most of their collabs though.
I’ve never seen anything that I wanted from this brand, but that’s just me! I have no issues with their prices. People spend thousands on canvas bags with no issues. Black owned brands should have the ability to charge the same if the quality is there.
They did the same thing with the pink azalea color months ago so I don’t understand the frustration. And every time I wanted a certain bag I got it no problem. I honestly just think people are mad for no reason atp
I have no dog in this fight since I can’t afford Telfar anyway lmao. But reading these comments I’ve just found out that the bags aren’t even real leather. I’m shocked!
@@JMED0000 That’s true, but I’m particularly talking about leather. Before this video I assumed Telfar bags were high quality genuine leather bags. Come to find out they’re not.
Black people love preaching we all support black businesses until they look at the prices for luxury brands. Suddenly, they find everything wrong with the business knowing good and darn well they don’t hold corporations to the same level of “critique”.
I like telfar and all but the material of the bags aren't really worth that high price tag. Now I do looove Brandon Blackwood. He purses have better material. Some of his prices are ridiculous at time but it'll last longer than telfar's shopping bag.
If everyone had one it wouldn't be exclusive anymore and it would cheapen the brand's image. So it's good business strategy to make it harder for the "unwashed masses" to get a hold of their items.
I brought a Telfar bag just to support a BoB. While I like the different colors, I'm not one to purchase a new purse every few months. I keep my bags for YEARS!
"vegan leather" is a term that pisses me off but telfar is absolutely not the only brand doing that. I've seen brands charge more for less. Ppl really pick on telfar for some reason. I recently saw a polyester coat for almost $400 called "vegan wool" by a different brand.
I think instead of complaining more productive energy should be placed on improving ur income to afford such things. Because Telfar is Thriving!!! These little complaints ain’t changing how they do business! And I have a bag. It was a gift, and honestly I Rarely even use it. I prefer real sturdy leather. But really folks, it’s not that serious. Buy what u can afford and increase ur bottom line if u really love the brand!! So u can purchase it no matter the cost.
As a plus size person who most of these luxury brands don’t see, I will never understand the obsession with labels. You wanna give a luxury brand your rent money just so you can show other people you can afford the brand. If all of us stop putting stock into the false sense of importance these brands give us, they would crumble so fast.
I only purchased a bag from them just to support a black owned company. Probably won’t purchase from them again because I can’t really justify what you get for the price 🥴 I honestly didn’t have a hard time purchasing the black shopping bag for the first time. I expected it to sell out in secs but it was available for a while…
That little bit of “oh what if the bag drops and I don’t have the money next time” means they ain’t really want that bag… I would have saved every single coin of what I got to get it if I really wanted it lol people and their excuses… they just need to know that’s how business works.
I never saw the appeal for Telfar bags. This brand is solely surviving on the fact that it’s a black owned business and it’s being hyped up because of that. I’ve seen people complain about the quality of the bags, the customer service, the shipping times etc. And tbh the bag looks basic
It’s not solely surviving off being black owned tho and I think that idea kinda contributes to why ppl think the brand was meant to be affordable luxury for the black community cause they believe they put the brand on. Before the one bag took off it was already a popular NYC streetwear brand. The bag was already a hard to get bag that stayed sold out, was already winning fashion awards and already popular amongst socialites and celebrities. So had the one item not blown up it still would have been a popular brand within that price range just like it’s competitors.
@@Breonaleonard they literally sell other items, and they’re of good quality. To say they’re only surviving because they’re black-owned is disingenuous and discounts the hundreds of other items they sell. And that’s the problem. People are judging and basing their success off of their cheapest item…
Maybe it’s the “it’s for everybody” thing that made them think the prices would be cheap but when you go on the website you clearly see it’s for people with money. But just knowing it’s a luxury brand is enough to tell you what you dealing with. People just love to be mad.
One thing about (some) Black people, we(some) tend to not do much research to formulate our own opinions, and just go off of hearsay. Especially when it comes to fashion trends and waves. Anyway I’m from Brooklyn and have followed some people on the artsy/creative scene. I heard of Telfar a few years back, through association with some of them and the NY fashion brand Hood By Air. Bushwick is a neighborhood in Brooklyn, hence the nickname (I don’t know when it was coined, but it was prior to 2020). I looked into the brand and saw that Telfar was doing some real cut and sew fashions, and that his pricing reflected that, similar to HBA. The shopping bag (design/shape inspired by Bloomingdales famous Brown Bag) is what many high end brands have versions of (a low price point item to introduce to the brand, and create more sales to sustain business. Like logo tees and the Marc Jacobs signature tote). I’m proud of the creatives coming out of NYC, especially some of the ones I’ve been following for years. I support when and what I can afford. I’ve never been into pleather, but I bought my first shopping bag in October 2019, and have since purchased 3 more. I alternate between my 3 small bags, and other bags in my wardrobe. They’ve held up well for me in the past 3 years, with the one I carry most often softening up with no wear and tear at all. My medium has rarely been used but I scratched and dented the emblem. Anyway shop where you want. If you don’t agree with the pricing or can’t afford it, it wasn’t made for you. It’s grown because it was already on its way, and the “blm” movement gave it a boost. The market is there, look at their Rainbow event that just went down and how the line was wrapped around for blocks! I’ve been eyeing the camo collection for awhile, so when I get a little extra coint, I’ll get a top (which is pieced together fabric, not printed) and some studs. Sorry this was long, I’m just happy for Black NYC creatives and hate to see negative groupthink opinions.
I'm glad you made this video. Luxury is LUXURY and if you can't afford it save and budget and get it or don't. Quality is something that should be accessible but there's a range involved and you don't need to buy Luxury to get quality
With luxury comes exclusively, that’s the entire point. I recently received my telfar through their bag security program and I am absolutely in love! I think a lot of people subconsciously don’t think a black brand or a POC should be marketing themselves as a luxury brand and that’s just the truth. People have no problem dropping 50-70 on VS underwear, white owned luxury makeup brands, YEZZY, white owned clothing brands, and the list goes on. If you don’t want to support the brand don’t, and if you can’t afford to support the brand shop elsewhere. A artist should not be expected to lower the worth of their creations.
In essence, some of us need to stop trying to live beyond our means. Trying to keep up with the "Joneses" will keep you in the poor house or put in jail. IJS
People really need to divest from the notion of affordable luxury because it’s exclusive by design. The industry does not want to be associated with working class people & believes that we “cheapen” their brands so it’s kind of sad & pathetic how we continue throwing money at them. They’re literally laughing at us. We’re basically a bunch of simps.
they love to make black owned brands and businesses “affordable” and “accessible”. i get telfar bc i don’t want to pay for and support gucci and celine.
Personally Im glad they’re so expensive, I used to want one so bad because I fell for the hype, but luckily I couldn’t afford it. Now looking back I’m so glad I didn’t buy it, they’re just a bit basic to me and don’t seem good quality for the price.
I wonder how much of the affordable luxury branding is coming from the business being black owned. People seem to move real different and expect cheaper prices when it's black owned. Maybe I'm wrong.
No you’re very correct lol someone said it’s supposed to be affordable and accessible for black ppl and I don’t see them make that expectation for any other luxury brand … cause it’s not realistic 🥴
You aren't wrong. I own a small jewelry shop and because it is black owned, people expect the quality to be cheaper and therefore the price to reflect that. Not only do I have the YEARS of education to back up my prices but experience and hands on training, I source my stones and metals from reliable sources that do not use slave or child labor nor contribute in the use of slave or child labor to obtain the materials. Alot of these sources I had to vet myself to meet MY standards. Meaning hiring translators or learning the local language myself, traveling to different countries, learning different cultures/etiquettes, hiring protection, ect. It's annoying and frustrating especially when it's black folk who whine about prices for custom jewelry that takes time and effort to make.
@@lovelydeath04 may I ask what your shop is called? I only shop small for non-necessities like jewelry and I'm always looking for new brands.
@@lovelydeath04 I truly feel for you. I almost put in my original comment that black owned businesses should use a fake face to front the business. Which is messed up to think but people out here make me think that's what it will take to see a black luxury brand get the same respect and prestige as Hermes, Cartier, etc. I just feel like if people can't afford it that's the end of the story. No haggling or discounting at the luxury level *especially* toward black owned businesses.
Your correct 👏🏾
Telfar is a great person but he has always wanted his brand to be successful. I worked on their PR team in 2013 and he funded it all. He was always a luxury, expensive brand. The “shopping bag” was the only cheaper item and he did that for the love. He is a luxury brand. Either love it or don’t.
Exactly!
Telfar is a fashion house . You not being able to afford their high tickets items is not going to stop them. It’s smart marketing. Ppl that can afford them will continue to buy.
Their shopping bag was made to be affordable lol that’s it .
How much are they ? My sister has the small one
@@brianda5793 150$ for the small one
@@Kaya.184 that seems quite affordable for a luxury brand to me actually.
It cost what it cost. 🤷🏾♀️. Are people out here quibbling and haggling with Hermes, Balmain, and Balenciaga about their prices and catering to an exclusive clientele? If not, then hold that same energy for Telfar. This is a luxury brand and some people’s responses is giving they want Telfar to be Target.
Nope! Ppl will wait in line, spend their last dime or go into debt buying stuff from those ⚪️ brands.
EXACTLY! And it goes back to this notion of why black businesses can’t succeed. Black people inherently have this entitlement thinking that other Black businesses need to be affordable to them but will spend money with those higher luxury brands on buying non-Black people OR even worse, act like they’re doing the brand a favour!
Actually they do😂
Right like the wouldn’t ask Nike or Tommy Hilfucker for a discount
😄Facts
the paradox of “affordable” and “luxury” being in the same sentence
Hello!!!
This conversation is great add on to how [we] have semi-outrageous expectations for black owned businesses, in general.
This!
Right?
EXACTLY. Luxury is not affordable. Great comfort and extravagant living (the definition of luxury) does not come cheap. If anything the affordability is relative to OTHER luxury items out on the market, not relative to what the average person can afford.
I'll just add that the Prada Nylon bags....which are not leather are around £800....minimum and people have no problem buying them. So Telfar can charge what they want for a non leather bag. It's the luxury game and I don't see a problem with it.
I agree with you! The same people that say that they will not pay $500 for his bag, will pay $500 for a Gucci wallet, belt or keychain!!!
That’s because it’s known to not be cheaply made and you can take it back to the store and they will repair any damaged parts!!!!!
@@angelaburress8586 Thats definitely facts, I think that’s what people fail to realize, your paying for quality something that’s going to last decades
I think Telfar’s designs are cute, but I would never pay more than $50 for a faux-leather bag. I can’t speak for Telfar’s quality but I’ve never had a faux-leather item that lasted more than a year. I’ve had genuine leather pieces from a bunch of heritage leather brands that have lasted me 7, 8 years now and that’s what I need if I’m spending over $200.
People being upset about not being able to buy a bag is ridiculous to me. At this point it’s just for the name. I’m happy Telfar was able to get so popular, but if people want another luxury black-owned bag company, they should just get a Brandon Blackwood bag. I’m gonna get myself one for my birthday this year 😌.
What you doing to your purses?
All that money for pleather/plastic. Nope black owned or nah I ain’t gonna do it
@@lakiakeely5699 i mean purses are made to carry things especially the bigger ones are used for work
It’s not even real leather??
@@75sol21 nope
Telfar has always been expensive. Over $200 for a bag is expensive! It’s just not as expensive as these insane designer brands which some of their stuff costing over $10k for one item. Coach is often called not expensive, but their items are also between 100 - 2k, which is expensive. Every brand has lowered price items to get you to buy something as an add on - it’s a marketing strategy to get you to spend more. The lower priced items are also a way to slowly tier you to spend more.
200 for a bag is objectively mid-price. let’s stop this narrative
@@TheBadbitch27 cost is relative - for something you don’t necessarily need (bags/purses are not a necessity), it can be considered expensive. Some people save to pay for a telfar purse (just like some people save to pay for ugly old lady purse Chanel). It is just not AS expensive as other brands, which makes people then tier the brands by price so that it seems more affordable in comparison when all of it is expensive for what it is. I love telfar and I have a telfar x Ugg shopping bag (one of my fav purses), but when $200 can fill some people’s gas so they can get to work I am not going to minimize the relative expensiveness of the purse when you can get the same-ish style for $10 - $20 from Amazon, etc.
@@ReagenDozier that's why I said objectively, of all bags, it isn't expensive it's mid-price. It's a fact that some people can't afford it but in the grand scheme of things its only 125-150 more than an H&M bag
Coach makes quality bags that are actually worth the price. I have bags that I bought 7 years ago and not a thread is showing
@@TheBadbitch27 for vegan leather it’s expensive
All luxury brands have those “affordable” items to get you buying products. That’s why there’s $500 sunglasses or $200 tshirts. They want you to feel “special” or”important” for buying luxury so you’ll comeback and buy more. Telfar is no different than any other brands marketing.
I’m just going to be the one to say, the “issue” Telfar is having is that He’s black. Let me explain. Generally, as a community black people will ask for “discounts”, or “hook me up” because…they’re “family”. Many probably viewed Telfar as a “cousin” with a new business in that way and feel like because we’re also black we should be getting the hook up. At the end of the day, he has a business and wants it to be a luxury one and not everyone can afford that but I think simply because he’s black what was his initial audience that helped grow the brand feels like he should be “looking out for his people”. Hopefully that makes sense🤷🏾♀️
THIS!! That’s exactly what it is!
Exactly I hate this!
🎯💯🎯👀
Yep this explains it perfectly 💯 I feel like that’s with any black brand that’s out there that is on the luxury side .
I agree a little but not entirely. The bag is of low quality for the price. I understand about supply and demand that makes the prices higher however the other contemporary brands(Coach, MC, Marc Jacobs) who is within the same price range is of better quality so worth investing in.
I don’t think the price is the main issue it’s availability and quality for the people who are interested in buying.
It's not the first time Telfar has done this, this year. They did it with Azeala maybe two weeks after the shopping bag sold out. All the people that complain should just wait for the bag security if they don't want to play a guessing game. Just sign up for his emails.
Oh yeah I saw that; I’ve been waiting on the azalea color to drop (and have also been considering getting the black in small) but when they dropped both it was only purchasable if you bought that apparel line too. I was just like, I’ll wait until it drops again by itself, or like you said wait until the bag security program. It’s not a huge deal and the bags drop on rotation, so if you don’t get it now you’ll get it at some point.
Yes, that's what I did. You have to wait a few months to get your bag but you're guaranteed to get the color you want.
@@empressafropuffs1707 yes, that's how I got my bag too.
I think it’s a twofold issue. 1.) People don’t understand that luxury is inherently exclusive and part of being a luxury item is that exclusivity. It’s not supposed to be accessible to everyone. 2.) It’s a black brand and for some reason we feel like we should be their focus audience for everything. That’s not to say that there aren’t wealthy black people who can afford their luxury items but MOST of us can’t. We feel like he should be catering to the average and not the outliers.
I absolutely agree with your assessment and feel like people have really projected their feelings on this black owned, luxury brand and believe that it should be for everyone. That’s not how it works, unfortunately.
Thank you so much for saying this. I was in a r/telfar thread once and a commenter really said "He did not have to choose to share his art with the world" I responded reminding her that this was a company that makes bags for a profit. You would've thought he cured cancer the way she was talking
omg i can't wait to watch this..... because those tweets about the person who owned their bag for 4 years and are mad about the quality.... i'm like dude you owned a pleather bag and it lasted you so long. what do you expect from a bag that you carry every day. you got your money's worth!
people asked for black luxury and they gave us that. and then when they improve materials and makes lines that are premium with higher prices people get mad. like what! every brand does that, you can't be mad at a brand for having different tiers. look at Ralph Lauren for example. they have the main line that has pieces that are hundreds to over a thousand dollars and then they have the stuff you can get at Macy's.
all i gotta say is, Telfar is for the people. and be real with your expectations!
People expect so much from black owned brands. It's so irritating🙄
Bcus they would neverrrrrrrrrrrr question or have such ridiculous expectations from Louie or Gucci
Instead of "affordable" i think of the shopping bags as "attainable". It didn't take me long to *save up* to buy it when I really wanted it.
When I want to support a Black business, I go to a local Black owned business. The way my wallet works, I cannot see myself owning anything from this brand. And I am fully aware that this is a mutual understanding, neither one of us is missing a moment's sleep over this.
😂💯
I didn’t even know it was faux leather until this video. That’s definitely a negative. I wasn’t going to buy it because it’s not cute to me anyway but for faux leather I might as well purchase from Adrienne Bailón brand, La Voute for half the price.
Exactly! I have a small natural hair/skin business and customers like you are ideal. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 People overlook their local businesses for popularity. Even when the quality isn’t better.
Well in NYC, the local artsy/fashion/creative scene people were supporting a local Black owned brand, hence the name “Bushwick (a neighborhood in Brooklyn) Birkin”. Those people network, and some of them are influencers or have many followers, which helped kick off Telfar’s popularity prior to the 2020 support Black business movement.
I’ve never understood the “but what if I don’t have the money later, and I only have it now” argument because why would you buy something now if it would put you in financial strains later? Your financial negligence is not on the company. If you don’t like the branding, promotion, or ethos of a brand DONT BUY FROM THEM! Why give them your money if you don’t agree with their business ethics?
If people are paying $900-$5000 for Louis Vuitton or $8,000 (Starting price) for Hermes, then people can pay luxury prices for Teflon. Our people (Black) can support the company or not. Black owned businesses deserve to charge luxury prices like the predominantly white fashion houses ALWAYS do each year, so I hope people don't stop supporting that fashion house. Fingers crossed 🤞
That Telfar bag is not my Aesthetic. Many years ago I bought a Dooney Bourke bag because it was what’s hot at the time and I didn’t like that bag at all. So I decided that I will have to Love every bag that I buy no matter the cost. My first Coach bag changed the game for me. Back when Coach had a lifetime warranty on their leather bags. After learning how it feels to absolutely Love a bag, just wanting to be in the conversation about a brand doesn’t do it for me. But of course if luxury is in the description of the brand, why are people confused and disappointed?
I'm trying to figure out the same thing but there are a lot of women with Gucci and LV bags that are made of canvas, the prices are crazy for those but why are people complaining about the price of Telfar bags but bash women who adore coach, Armani or micheal kors because that's not the staple of luxury.
Coach is the only brand out here actually trying to make high quality luxury leather and canvas accessories for affordable prices actually
Once you tell me luxury is “affordable” then it is no longer luxury to me.
Affordability is subjective
@@socialitenoel I agree!!!!
Luxury can be anything and can mean anything to anyone.
The point of luxury is to be exclusive and expensive. "Affordable and accessible luxury " is an oxymoron.
Most luxury brands have “entry level” points. The shopping bag is simply the entry point into the world of Telfar. Just like the CLA 250 is to Benz and A4/5 is to Audi.
Entry level luxury is a thing. Automakers do it ALL the time. Luxury by definition means something that is exclusive and highly desirable. The price of an item doesn't always denote luxury.
I’m team why be mad when you wasn’t gonna get the item in the first place. It’s folks who ain’t into these brand that only get mad to draw views on they page and accounts. Next
Black people gotta stop. We stretch a couple pay days for some Louis, Gucci, ysl, Givenchy, etc.. Let’s help get a brand by one of ours in the prestigious lane. People were shitting on Telfar after the Beyonce lyric. We have a bigger point to prove here. If you’re into lux brands and fashion, a signature item priced much higher is not new or unusual.
This right here ‼️
But the Gucci bag will last you FOREVER. My mother has Gucci purses and luggage from the 80s that are in pristine condition today. Why pay $300 for a purse that will fall apart? In all honesty, you could spend $300 on a quality leather Coach bag that will last forever even with everyday use. I know it cause i have plenty lol they’re all still in great condition.
@@jasminegreene8159 then just don’t buy it. Simple.
@@WatchandLearn16 i dont lol. What was the reason for this comment? Just felt like talking?
@@jasminegreene8159 there are other designer bags that are not leather like Stella McCartney vegan bags and Prada nylon. Bad comparison. Also You expect a $150 bag to last as long as one that is thousands? Are you kidding?
I have my Telfar collection but let’s be clear Telfar isn’t affordable. Yes it’s more affordable than other designer brands. & it’s not everyone’s style. BB has some vegan and leather bags but the customer service and quality control needs work. Telfar has been true to their brand. They’re going to continue to evolve and drop more options. The quality of vegan leather is important to how long it’ll last as well. I love their marketing strategy, it works for them.
The issue with Telfar - the quality is not great even at their “affordable”’price point. I’ve had better made bags from H&M. It’s not quality and it ain’t no Hermes. I’ll spend for quality - Brandon Blackwood has beautiful bags and they’re well made. Worth the price point.
And when Brandon raised his prices because he started using real leather ppl started talking mess too but the quality is consistent. I have 3 bags of his and the quality is great and this is before he started using real leather
@@sekrystalb Yup, I have two of his bags and plan on buying another.
So this is my 1st intro to this Channel and immediately I subscribed. I had no idea what your take on the topic would be but I was interested in the topic & I was not disappointed. You had me when you started w/ Para Social relationships w/ Brands (a topic I think about but rarely hear someone discuss) but then you ending the point w/ the same as far as ppl going full warrior status for brands like Shein. I like how you gave a well thought out / non bias perspective on this. I am one of those ppl who understands fully what Telfar is and has done as far as marketing and accessibility but also understand how sooooo many have missed the mark out of entitlement. Reading thru many comments I agree that affordable luxury can be an oxymoron but also having a styling background I also understand that you set the tone for luxury in your life BUT that NEVER means that brand is going to always be 100% aligned with you & vice versa!.... For instance Coach/ Ralph Lauren having outlets .... immediately NOT a high end luxury brand. Lack of exclusivity at this point makes it basic .. BUT RL has the Purple Label .... untouchable. I could go on but I will end on ppl need to not be so entitled and define your own luxury and fit in where you can get in OR create your own space. So many are NEVER satisfied and always want to keep up the Joneses ..... but like STILL ?? lol Chile ... get a personality .. it can take you further than a Birken! xo
This is ridiculous. How about people just stay in their lane? If you can’t afford something either work hard to get the money to purchase the luxury item or move around and go where you feel like you are getting your money’s worth.
Whenever it a black brand people wanna question the price but let that be Gucci or any other european brand and the turn over their money without question. The audacity.
I have the small and medium bag. The small one is too small. However, the medium one is ok, but the strap doesn’t adjust. Where the bag falls it can become uncomfortable. I have to carry it by the handles. Although a $200+ bag should have an adjustable strap for that price and length.
Yeah they are expanding slowly but surely. A strap adjustment would be nice as well as wallets etc I hope they start making dresses too
You make a great point about the lack of discourse around parasocial relationships with brands! I've recently seen only a few posts about this in beauty subreddits, where people are questioning the reason for their brand loyalty and realizing it may not make much sense, especially when it comes to skincare where the brand wasn't actually meeting their needs. Very fascinating stuff -- the whole being-chronically-online thing has changed the nature of consumerism a lot.
Perhaps the reaction of some folks to Telfar “selling out after ‘we’ put them on”, is a sad commentary on us being so desperate to have something of our own yknow? We get this sense of ownership, not fully realizing the true intent of black designers/companies is to make us look fly but also to make money like you said. I don’t fault Telfar for people misinterpreting what they’re about.
I had no idea its wasnt real leather. Im not paying 200 for a vegan leather bag. Ill stick to my kate spade outlet bags.
Lmao my every day bag is also Kate spade outlet
That's what's been keeping me from buying it. If they wanted to be eco-friendly or environmentally friend or ethical or whichever they're going for, they could use recycled leather at least. I'm sorry, I need leather.
Thank you
@@jeeither I agree with this as someone who is an environmentalist.
@@jeeither Brandon Blackwood bag have a variety of leather and vegan leather
I got my Telfar & i will say i was shocked that the leather wasn’t butter soft but i wouldn’t complain! It’s the size, it’s the options, it’s exclusive & it’s a black man! I have yet to see a Telfar post saying the bag broke or tore or gets raggedy over time! I love it & will buy again!
I’m in the minority I always found the bags basic and over priced for what they are. I don’t do the hard to get things when I want something I expect to be able to buy it. I also think it’s crazy to expect consumers to buy something else to simply be able to get the possibility of buying a bag that again is basic. See this is why I can’t but I don’t mess with a lot of brands 🤷🏿♀️
Same, have you seen them in person? I checked when i seen it I would rather spend 200 on a Kate spade bag than that
I've seen the bag in person and it's not worth yhe hype. Nothing special, less than basic. Never was fan of the original shopping bag.
I think the bag is ugly, in order to appeal to people it’s about a look. I’m black and support black businesses but the bag is ugly sorry 🫣
Ya the bags look pretty basic, cheap $40 pleather and becoming too popular and common. And agree I can't be bothered with hard to get purses jumping through all these hoops! I hate their marketing, by now Telfar should have had several stores and have a constant, steady bag stock supply online, instead of people waiting for certain day drops, like they're waiting for free food pantry stuff! I rather exclusives like my recent splurge on Goyard, then have classics all leather Tory Burch, Marc Jacobs, and wanna try the Brandon line.
People get real attached to these brands….but for me it’s always about the bags. I love bags so I can’t get into the drama that’s always happening around brands. It gets so maddening. Smh. Can we breathe.
Update: I been following telfar from the beginning and his bags have kind of evolved but he has always been about having fashion that is for everyone (men and women) I personally love unisex items so I been wanting this bag since I was a poor college student.
But what the hell people saying telfar is affordable luxury? Like who said dat?
I wanted to buy a bag but I cant. It’s to expensive for the type of materials they use. I can’t imagine spending that much money just for faux plastic
I get that but Stella McCartney is a luxury vegan brand and is way more expensive
Never heard of the brand but I’m still not buying. 😅
Also, something that I don’t think is pointed out a lot is that it’s actually WILDLY expensive considering that it’s a shopping bag. It’s not a structured purse though people are using it as such. It’s comparable to a $10 tote bag in terms of usability/function. From the website (medium size), “fits a laptop + your daily survival kit”. It’s literally a tote bag - single open, carry all space.
That’s what I don’t like about it. It lacks structure and it has so many handles 🫠 I just stick with long champ.
You basically just described a Neverfull which are made out of canvas, and people spend over 1K for those.
@@gsunsetave A Neverfull comes with a removal pouch that doubles as a clutch/pocket and has a zipper pocket inside. A Telfar shopping bag has neither. I’m not trying to come for the brand but it’s literally an expensive tote bag.
@@tigersfunn13 Telfar has a zipper pocket inside. You're correct about the lack of removable pouch, however, the difference in price when the fabric is comparable is honestly not worth the 1K.
People don’t make this complaint when they buy Marc Jacob’s tote bag they just pay….,
There are photos and videos of people's bags PEELING and falling apart after a year or under. I would NEVER support any business who is putting out cr@p quality period! You're paying over $150+ for a bag that falls apart in that amount of time? Absolutely unacceptable.
Priorities are essential.💯🛍️Stop living
above your means people..
A year ago I read on the website that they won’t be changing their prices due to their popularity, etc they must have taken that off
Of the shopping bag, they said that after a Beyoncé shout out
I feel like if you go through the glossier redditt you could make a similar video about them too. People have a stronggg relationship with that brandp
They do lol
@@justshanygne they so scary in there esp. when they were mad about not being able to collect darker shades of the blush cause it was made for darker skin tones
literally seething
I’ve seen a brand dramatically increase their price for their vegan bag… started off at $250 -$300 then jumped to starting at over $500…. overnight. Days ones don’t appreciate that and the small dismissive camp of, “if you can’t afford it, just say that” will only purchase so much at the higher price. I understand it’s business but it feels like bad risky business.
But it doesn’t sound like Telfar did that. Perhaps people made an assumption, listened to the wrong influencers or heard conflicting messaging. Or maybe it’s a little of all of that.
I browsed the other items for sale when the hype was big about their shopping bag and quickly saw that the pricing of their other products and my bank account were not in agreement.
Chanel is starting to do this practice as well. It seems to be in the works with all luxury brands. ALL major lux brands have "entry level prices". The perfumes, makeup, sunglasses are ALL made to lure people to commit to buying into the real products. There are tiers to luxury. You buy the perfume then want a bag. Then save for the bag and get it. Then you want another and maybe move into swimwear and so on. The "entry level" items are more often than not are logo heavy. That way you become the ad to help push them forward.
Exactly! Even the small bag isn’t “affordable” when u consider the size. It’s tiny!
I got that email and how I read it was if you purchased an item from the track collection you get the opportunity to purchase a black shopping bag. That wasn’t some exclusive you can only get the black shopping bag that way thing.
That was the only way you could get the black bag for that drop
I felt it was a little confusing. But I didn’t want the black bag anyway so I ain’t even pay attention lol.
@@justshanygne I’m saying it’s not a you can never get access to that bag ever again outside of this drop for people to be having that reaction.
@@flytjsosweet You're both actually saying the same thing. That the requirement is specifically for that drop of the bag in black
I see several comments about how the bags aren’t real leather. What’s crazy is how many big name brands sell faux leather items-that aren’t nearly as tasteful-for similar prices or more and people aren’t upset about that?
I personally like buying bags on etsy-easier to see where it’s coming from, lasts longer, there isn’t hella branding depending on the shop (which, if you like that-do you, boo), and it’s always unique. Not that I thrive on being different-I simply like what I like. If it’s different, cool, if not, cool. Many shops also offer reasonably priced customizations.
I don’t think I’ll ever get into the big or “super expensive because of the name” brand thing. I don’t care about status symbols or having people know what I can afford or not. I just want my bags to be versatile, classy, and hold my shit.lol😅
Brands are not my friend, brands don’t owe me anything, I don’t owe brands anything, I am not attached to any brand, and what other people do with their money has nothing to do with me.🤷🏾♀️
$1,292 😳, Girl that is almost my whole check working my 9-5 with my 80 hours. I wouldn't be able to eat if I did that. I am not mad that the brand wants to be luxury, We should see more Black own brands become luxury. But people getting mad just because they brought one bag. And expected the brand to be affordable, is just weird. Before I start buying from a brand online nowadays, I always look to see if I could afford it normally. And if I would have to give up eating and have my lights on to afford the brand. Baby, that means I can't afford it. I wouldn't go to the company and get mad at it🤦♀️
Telfar is clearly a luxury brand. Where are they getting this idea it’s like fubu? Like….
I admittedly have only seen the bags over 1-200 so I think I’m late. But I have friends who have a few bags.
Thank you for this. People are delusional 🤦🏾♀️
People will ALWAYS find something to complain about with a black owned brand (not everyone Ofcourse). I love my Telfar bags and there’s nothing wrong with the quality of them. Using vegan leather is a decision he made and is a part of what helps keep pricing at a lower point. Once again people will complain either way. People who don’t want/can’t afford it should just move on.
I really like your honest take on this subject and I like that you were very honest about the way that luxury makes everyone feel and this is one reason why people have this expectation. They wanna feel included in the exclusive group. It is a business and there to make money...whether black owned or not. You don't see white people or any other culture saying things about brands started and demanding a certain price point, they just buy what they can afford to buy and move on....simple as that.
Also, I think people need to realize your not missing out cause you don't have luxury items...they don't make you, you make it.
Yes, exactly. I also bought it and the I looked at the material and the functionality on the inside and said.. isa no. Lol.. correction!! I meant to say I ALMOST bought it. Lol
@@monicamitchell538 same! Lol
This bag is literally called a “shopping bag” it was designed for you to go shopping with it and use it as a reusable bag. Yes it’s cute but it’s literally not meant to be a handbag. (Even tho I use it as a handbag as well🤣🤣😅) so of course when he launches a REAL handbag it will be more expensive. Also when you compare the shopping bags to other shopping bags this is relatively way more expensive. But again. Expensive is relative
PS I just reread this and this sounds aggressive but I’m agreeing with you LOL
The thing I cant do about Telfar is the quality doesn’t match the price, ever. I feel like I bought a glorified H&M bag, and dare I say, those are better. There’s nothing luxury about it and they actually do need to improve to show forth actual worth. Faux leather, weak snap, bent up bag, straps, no hardware, pls. The competition is SHEIN.
Ok! I’ve seen them in person and think how cheap they look! No shade to the designer. I’ll keep my MK and Kate Spade 👌🏾
THIS! The structure of the bag is legit bent plastic! Lol
I absolutely don’t get the hype o bought the medium shopper and sold it immediately; the quality was just not there
@@AllIAm1 I should sell my little bag
I have. Every time I look at it to use, I just get upset about the purchase lol
Right, my guess bags last for yrs.
Whats crazy is ppl shopped that website, saw the prices of the other merchandise and still ran with the affordable luxury trope
Is there really such a thing as an affordable, accessible luxury brand? Also, I do think they're kind of wrong for making the purchase of the black bag *available* if you buy one of the tracksuit items, especially since I just checked and the track suit collection is sold out so I guess even if the bag was still in stock (which is kind of unclear), you couldn't buy it
😂🤣 Like how y’all not know the definition and synonyms of the word “Luxury”. There’s a dictionary app 😂
I will say, these “luxury” brands have been selling basic items and overpricing them. Ppl are so caught up in “flexing” on strangers, they don’t know high prices does NOT equal high quality 🤷🏾♀️
SN: Some of these luxury items are absolutely hideous 😭😂🤣
I hope people know that their beloved LV bag ain't leather either lol it's canvas🤣🤣
I mean my cousin and her daughter had telfar bags but did a go fund me for a funeral come on..... priorities people....paying for college tuition and my husband is retired so NO
I don’t understand why people don’t have a mind of their own. It’s embarrassing.
I don’t get the hype for that particular bag…but I am okay with how they are conducting a brand. They are building a luxury brand.
Yes they are slowly building he’s been working at this for years
Right. Buy it or don’t. Nobody is obligated to buy from any brand..
Exactly
it's literally a luxury brand for a reason it caters to a specific cliental, if you can't afford the bag it's not for you
I was the video you stitched, I think this video made more sense to me when I watched it in it’s entirety. I’m ngl I was coming from a place of bitterness because I wanted the black mini and didn’t want to buy the shorts to get the bag on time, but patience is key. Thank you for this better understanding because I thought telfar stated they were an affordable luxury brand to find out that they’ve never said that, so thank you for this insight!
Great points people be trippen, sabotaging, and hating. It's rediculous. Pay the price or not.
Honestly, being a "Black owned" anything is EXHAUSTING. Folks want Gucci quality, with Amazon delivery speed and a restock turn around time of Zara, with Target pricing and sales. It does not and cannot work like that for a multitude of reasons. I've literally been advised to be a "ghost" designer, use white models and not to show myself until my brand is big because I'm likely to get support more easily that way. It sucks.
I totally agree. I sew for a living and I'm slowly losing my passion for it because of dealing one on one with people. They want designer quality without the price and made authentic speed of light. meanwhile I'm a one woman army as well as a mom of a 5yr old
@@Autonomous111 I feel you! this is why i rarely accept custom orders. I have literally had someone send me a picture of an outfit worn at the MET GALA and was not please that it could not be created at such a low budget.
@@It.isDamola story of my life. I shut down mentally because I just can't deal with people and their absurd demands everyday
I'm ready to hear why we mad again 👀👀
🤣🤣🤣
BS, as usual if you want the bag buy the bag. If you can’t afford, it sit down. It’s a luxury brand, Hermes had the rudest CS, but people stand in line for their stuff.
We spend so much energy being mad.
@@robinhawkins3801 Anger is a renewable resource tho. Imagine if rage could power our cities 🤦🏻♀️
@@MyCrownstar The vibe I'm getting from the brand is that there are enough people who can and will buy the bag, that they don't have to concern themself with the people who can't and are mad about it. It'll sell no matter who is buying it 🤦🏻♀️
🤣😂🤣 their marketing is on point. They have their customers on lock down.
Black owned brands don't owe anybody affordability. We don't hold non-black brands to this standard. Furthermore, why do we expect black-owned brands to be "affordable" by default. The term luxury means that it's not for everyone.
Unpopular opinion, I do think that Telfar is an "affordable luxury" brand. Especially considering the quality, or lack thereof, of their vegan leather. I'm looking to sell my medium chocolate Telfar bag. I got a Cuyana leather tote that is much more durable and cost me less money. Like the idea of buying from a black-owned brand, but personally I was disappointed by the quality. I think a full-sized tote that is less that $300 is "affordable luxury." Also, I agree with you said about people expecting the brand to be "accessible." It is still a business.
I bought two small Telfar 'Shopping Bags' with the bag security program last year. I was disappointed by (what I perceive as) the lower quality construction. I have no issue with them being vegan leather, but the bag just felt flimsy in comparison to other Black-owned luxury brands I have for similar prices (Brandon Blackwood, CISE, Diamond Elizabeth, Amina Iris).
I did purchase the Telfar x Eastpak collaboration backpack to use as an every day work bag, and it was MUCH better quality than the 'Shopping Bags'. I'm assuming the quality is improved across most of their collabs though.
I’ve never seen anything that I wanted from this brand, but that’s just me! I have no issues with their prices. People spend thousands on canvas bags with no issues. Black owned brands should have the ability to charge the same if the quality is there.
I got the olive green one recently & it was available for 3 hours! I thought it was gonna be gone in minutes!! & was ready at 11:59!
They did the same thing with the pink azalea color months ago so I don’t understand the frustration. And every time I wanted a certain bag I got it no problem. I honestly just think people are mad for no reason atp
So glad you made this video! It really highlights a lot of what ive been seeing on social media about Telfar!
I have no dog in this fight since I can’t afford Telfar anyway lmao. But reading these comments I’ve just found out that the bags aren’t even real leather. I’m shocked!
They have klarna if you do ever want one just have to wait for a drop
Many other high end brands aren't either, it's $1000 and up canvas bags, LV, GUCCI, YSL,CHANEL...have many bags that are canvas
@@Deenique16 I wouldn’t pay that much for faux leather goods tbh
@@JMED0000 That’s true, but I’m particularly talking about leather. Before this video I assumed Telfar bags were high quality genuine leather bags. Come to find out they’re not.
@@lorrella8571 how did the hype for these bags start?
Black people love preaching we all support black businesses until they look at the prices for luxury brands. Suddenly, they find everything wrong with the business knowing good and darn well they don’t hold corporations to the same level of “critique”.
I like telfar and all but the material of the bags aren't really worth that high price tag. Now I do looove Brandon Blackwood. He purses have better material. Some of his prices are ridiculous at time but it'll last longer than telfar's shopping bag.
If everyone had one it wouldn't be exclusive anymore and it would cheapen the brand's image. So it's good business strategy to make it harder for the "unwashed masses" to get a hold of their items.
I brought a Telfar bag just to support a BoB. While I like the different colors, I'm not one to purchase a new purse every few months. I keep my bags for YEARS!
I'm so obsessed with ur channel. I love youuuuuuu girly
"vegan leather" is a term that pisses me off but telfar is absolutely not the only brand doing that. I've seen brands charge more for less. Ppl really pick on telfar for some reason.
I recently saw a polyester coat for almost $400 called "vegan wool" by a different brand.
Back in the day,we called it pleather.
I will never understand vegans obsession with eliminating wool...it's the most symbiotic relationship we have with an animal.
Stella McCartney has built a luxury empire based on vegan leather.
thankyou it's only a problem when we do it. I didn't hear no one complain when the other luxury brands started using pleather and nylon.
I still haven't been able to get my hands on a bag. Still waiting patiently 😌
I think instead of complaining more productive energy should be placed on improving ur income to afford such things. Because Telfar is Thriving!!! These little complaints ain’t changing how they do business! And I have a bag. It was a gift, and honestly I Rarely even use it. I prefer real sturdy leather. But really folks, it’s not that serious. Buy what u can afford and increase ur bottom line if u really love the brand!! So u can purchase it no matter the cost.
People do not pay attention to a brand's history or business model, they are just concerned with trends and popularity.
As a plus size person who most of these luxury brands don’t see, I will never understand the obsession with labels. You wanna give a luxury brand your rent money just so you can show other people you can afford the brand. If all of us stop putting stock into the false sense of importance these brands give us, they would crumble so fast.
Yeah but it’s not going to happen
I only purchased a bag from them just to support a black owned company. Probably won’t purchase from them again because I can’t really justify what you get for the price 🥴 I honestly didn’t have a hard time purchasing the black shopping bag for the first time. I expected it to sell out in secs but it was available for a while…
That little bit of “oh what if the bag drops and I don’t have the money next time” means they ain’t really want that bag… I would have saved every single coin of what I got to get it if I really wanted it lol people and their excuses… they just need to know that’s how business works.
I never saw the appeal for Telfar bags. This brand is solely surviving on the fact that it’s a black owned business and it’s being hyped up because of that. I’ve seen people complain about the quality of the bags, the customer service, the shipping times etc. And tbh the bag looks basic
It’s not solely surviving off being black owned tho and I think that idea kinda contributes to why ppl think the brand was meant to be affordable luxury for the black community cause they believe they put the brand on. Before the one bag took off it was already a popular NYC streetwear brand. The bag was already a hard to get bag that stayed sold out, was already winning fashion awards and already popular amongst socialites and celebrities. So had the one item not blown up it still would have been a popular brand within that price range just like it’s competitors.
They have came out with new designs and a back back but I agree to each their own
Soo true. It being black owned is the only reason why it has so much support. The quality is simply not there
@@Breonaleonard You’re basing this off of their shopping bags? They have more items than that that how I know your just talking
@@Breonaleonard they literally sell other items, and they’re of good quality. To say they’re only surviving because they’re black-owned is disingenuous and discounts the hundreds of other items they sell. And that’s the problem. People are judging and basing their success off of their cheapest item…
Maybe it’s the “it’s for everybody” thing that made them think the prices would be cheap but when you go on the website you clearly see it’s for people with money. But just knowing it’s a luxury brand is enough to tell you what you dealing with. People just love to be mad.
He offers payment plan if you can’t pay the full price .
A brand can charge whatever they it’s up to you (the customer) to buy. Me personally the design, detail, and material is not worth the price.
I understand people want Telfar to be accessible but if you can’t buy it twice you can’t afford it and that’s okay
One thing about (some) Black people, we(some) tend to not do much research to formulate our own opinions, and just go off of hearsay. Especially when it comes to fashion trends and waves. Anyway I’m from Brooklyn and have followed some people on the artsy/creative scene. I heard of Telfar a few years back, through association with some of them and the NY fashion brand Hood By Air. Bushwick is a neighborhood in Brooklyn, hence the nickname (I don’t know when it was coined, but it was prior to 2020). I looked into the brand and saw that Telfar was doing some real cut and sew fashions, and that his pricing reflected that, similar to HBA. The shopping bag (design/shape inspired by Bloomingdales famous Brown Bag) is what many high end brands have versions of (a low price point item to introduce to the brand, and create more sales to sustain business. Like logo tees and the Marc Jacobs signature tote).
I’m proud of the creatives coming out of NYC, especially some of the ones I’ve been following for years. I support when and what I can afford. I’ve never been into pleather, but I bought my first shopping bag in October 2019, and have since purchased 3 more. I alternate between my 3 small bags, and other bags in my wardrobe. They’ve held up well for me in the past 3 years, with the one I carry most often softening up with no wear and tear at all. My medium has rarely been used but I scratched and dented the emblem.
Anyway shop where you want. If you don’t agree with the pricing or can’t afford it, it wasn’t made for you. It’s grown because it was already on its way, and the “blm” movement gave it a boost. The market is there, look at their Rainbow event that just went down and how the line was wrapped around for blocks! I’ve been eyeing the camo collection for awhile, so when I get a little extra coint, I’ll get a top (which is pieced together fabric, not printed) and some studs. Sorry this was long, I’m just happy for Black NYC creatives and hate to see negative groupthink opinions.
I'm glad you made this video. Luxury is LUXURY and if you can't afford it save and budget and get it or don't. Quality is something that should be accessible but there's a range involved and you don't need to buy Luxury to get quality
"Now, we could argue the quality of a telfar bag at some point later in this video.." lmaooo 😭😭
With luxury comes exclusively, that’s the entire point. I recently received my telfar through their bag security program and I am absolutely in love! I think a lot of people subconsciously don’t think a black brand or a POC should be marketing themselves as a luxury brand and that’s just the truth. People have no problem dropping 50-70 on VS underwear, white owned luxury makeup brands, YEZZY, white owned clothing brands, and the list goes on. If you don’t want to support the brand don’t, and if you can’t afford to support the brand shop elsewhere. A artist should not be expected to lower the worth of their creations.
In essence, some of us need to stop trying to live beyond our means. Trying to keep up with the "Joneses" will keep you in the poor house or put in jail. IJS
People really need to divest from the notion of affordable luxury because it’s exclusive by design. The industry does not want to be associated with working class people & believes that we “cheapen” their brands so it’s kind of sad & pathetic how we continue throwing money at them. They’re literally laughing at us. We’re basically a bunch of simps.
they love to make black owned brands and businesses “affordable” and “accessible”. i get telfar bc i don’t want to pay for and support gucci and celine.
Personally Im glad they’re so expensive, I used to want one so bad because I fell for the hype, but luckily I couldn’t afford it. Now looking back I’m so glad I didn’t buy it, they’re just a bit basic to me and don’t seem good quality for the price.