Telfar Clemens' eponymous label, Telfar, is set to return to the runway this June during Juneteenth weekend (Juneteenth falls on June 19 and has often been celebrated on the third Saturday in June), marking the brand's first show since its Spring Summer 2020 presentation in Paris. While the location of the runway show remains unconfirmed, if scheduled for late June, the event could coincide nicely with Paris Men's Fashion Week (June 24–29), where Telfar last showcased its collection in 2020.
In anticipation of the upcoming show, Telfar announced an open casting call via Instagram, playfully referencing America's Next Top Model panellists in a spoof video. This announcement led to a significant turnout, with aspiring models lining up outside the brand's NYC flagship store earlier this week. The winners are promised to walk the show.
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The forthcoming runway show is highly anticipated, not only for its fashion but also for its cultural significance, coinciding with Juneteenth – a day commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. As Telfar continues to blur the lines between fashion, culture, and activism, this event promises to be a landmark moment in the brand's history.
Founded in 2005, Telfar is renowned for its unisex, inclusive approach to fashion, encapsulated by the slogan, "It's not for you — it's for everyone" . Clemens, a Liberian-American designer from Queens, New York, has garnered acclaim for challenging traditional fashion norms and promoting accessibility. And his signature creation, the Telfar Shopping Bag – dubbed the "Bushwick Birkin" – has become a symbol of affordable luxury and cultural relevance .
