Telfar Clemens’ namesake genderless brand Telfar has one of the most in-demand luxury handbags in the market. Every time the fashion label drops the new shopping handbag collection, it sells out in minutes leaving fans who were unable to purchase them in time to complain about it on social media.
What makes Telfar bags appealing is their luxury look and feel, which is made of vegan leather and affordable price that ranges from $150-$257. However, the designer’s latest handbag had customers in an uproar due to its price.
can’t lie that telfar circle bag is cute but not paying that price
— tay. 🤍 (@taylorrboatt_) March 10, 2022
In February, during New York Fashion Week, Telfar unveiled the Round Circle Bag that retails at $567. What makes this bag different from the beloved shopping bag is that its signature T logo is a part of the bag’s structure versus it being embossed into the shopping bag. It also comes with a detachable strap so that you have a choice of wearing it as a top handle bag or a crossbody bag. But the clear differences in bags didn’t stop fans from expressing disappointment with the price increase.
I have a telfar but imo the pricing was already a little high for the quality of the bag. I love it but I can’t say I’ll be buying another one
— Aricole | Infrastructure PM (@Aricole16) February 17, 2022
The Liberian designer stopped by The Breakfast Club on Monday and had this to say about the backlash he received.
“If you consider me a designer, luxury brand— there’s designer bags way more expensive than this and nobody’s saying anything about this,” he said.
“Also two, I think people that two, don’t know about the brand and think that I’m raising the price of the regular shopping bag, which I priced that specifically based on what I was making as a DJ at night. Like $120 bucks was what I got for DJing an hour set and I know I could have afforded that if I did three gigs that night or week.”
Telfar also addressed whether or not there was enough supply for the demand since the bags always sell out. “We do make enough bags, but it’s just increasingly more people that want to get a bag and there’s always more people than the bags that we make. We dropped thousands of bags each time that we dropped a bag.”
Later on in the interview, he praised the customers that have supported his vision. “I’m not a regular fashion brand if anything it’s the community that made this brand what it is, it’s really important to nurture that,” he said. “It’s why we have a TV station now. We talk to people all day long. Not me personally, but someone is talking to someone all day long.”
But while there may be new handbags in the future, the Brooklyn native reiterated that the shopping bag price will stay the same
xoNecole asked our Facebook followers if Black-owned businesses unfairly receive more criticism for raising prices or does this much of a hike warrant push back?
One commenter wrote, “Coach, MK, and others have done the same. I bought an MK bag, in October for half the price they’re selling that same bag for now, just a different color. It’s a spring color, so I understand it costing more, but double?? Nah, I’m good.
Saying that to say this, it doesn’t matter the brand (for me) or the color of the person/people behind the brand, a price hike (gouging), is a price hike. And unless it’s reasonable, I’m not buying it!”
Another, “Why should all of his bags stay the same price? He never went up on the shopping bags those stayed the same. (As he said they would) lmao @ people thinking all of LV and Prada bags are real leather.”
Telfar bag secured 💛🥰
— regulation hottie 💕 (@Alexzand3rr) March 14, 2022
One said that Telfar can do as they please, “Well somebody will pay for it. They have a right to increase their prices. These bags are in high demand.”
But some people still think that the price jump is too much. “Why such a big price jump? Maybe the people that really supported them can only afford around $300…now they moved it up to $600. That seems excessive.”
How do you feel about the price increase?
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Devale Ellis On Being A Provider, Marriage Growth & Redefining Fatherhood
In this candid episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Devale Ellis, actor, social media personality, and star of Zatima, about modern masculinity, learning to be a better husband, emotional presence in marriage, fatherhood for Black men, and leading by example.
“I Wasn’t Present Emotionally”: Devale Ellis on Marriage Growth
Devale Ellis On Learning He Was a ‘Bad Husband’
Ellis grew up believing that a man should prioritize providing for his family. “I know this may come off as misogynistic, but I feel like it’s my responsibility as a man to pay for everything,” he said, emphasizing the wise guidance passed down by his father. However, five years into his marriage to long-time partner Khadeen Ellis, he realized provision wasn’t just financial.
“I was a bad husband because I wasn’t present emotionally… I wasn’t concerned about what she needed outside of the resources.”
Once he shifted his mindset, his marriage improved. “In me trying to be of service to her, I learned that me being of service created a woman who is now willing to be of service to me.”
On Redefining Masculinity and Fatherhood
For Ellis, “being a man is about being consistent.” As a father of four, he sees parenthood as a chance to reshape the future.
“Children give you another chance at life. I have four different opportunities right now to do my life all over again.”
He also works to uplift young Black men, reinforcing their worth in a world that often undermines them. His values extend to his career—Ellis refuses to play roles that involve domestic violence or sexual assault.
On Marriage, Family Planning, and Writing His Story
After his wife’s postpartum preeclampsia, Ellis chose a vasectomy over her taking hormonal birth control, further proving his commitment to their partnership. He and Khadeen share their journey in We Over Me, and his next book, Raising Kings: How Fatherhood Saved Me From Myself, is on the way.
Through honesty and growth, Devale Ellis challenges traditional ideas of masculinity, making his story one that resonates deeply with millennial women.
For the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker peels back the layers of masculinity with candid conversations that challenge stereotypes and celebrate vulnerability. Real men. Real stories. Real talk.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by YouTube/xoNecole
Devale Ellis On Being A Provider, Marriage Growth & Redefining Fatherhood
In this candid episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Devale Ellis, actor, social media personality, and star of Zatima, about modern masculinity, learning to be a better husband, emotional presence in marriage, fatherhood for Black men, and leading by example.
“I Wasn’t Present Emotionally”: Devale Ellis on Marriage Growth
Devale Ellis On Learning He Was a ‘Bad Husband’
Ellis grew up believing that a man should prioritize providing for his family. “I know this may come off as misogynistic, but I feel like it’s my responsibility as a man to pay for everything,” he said, emphasizing the wise guidance passed down by his father. However, five years into his marriage to long-time partner Khadeen Ellis, he realized provision wasn’t just financial.
“I was a bad husband because I wasn’t present emotionally… I wasn’t concerned about what she needed outside of the resources.”
Once he shifted his mindset, his marriage improved. “In me trying to be of service to her, I learned that me being of service created a woman who is now willing to be of service to me.”
On Redefining Masculinity and Fatherhood
For Ellis, “being a man is about being consistent.” As a father of four, he sees parenthood as a chance to reshape the future.
“Children give you another chance at life. I have four different opportunities right now to do my life all over again.”
He also works to uplift young Black men, reinforcing their worth in a world that often undermines them. His values extend to his career—Ellis refuses to play roles that involve domestic violence or sexual assault.
On Marriage, Family Planning, and Writing His Story
After his wife’s postpartum preeclampsia, Ellis chose a vasectomy over her taking hormonal birth control, further proving his commitment to their partnership. He and Khadeen share their journey in We Over Me, and his next book, Raising Kings: How Fatherhood Saved Me From Myself, is on the way.
Through honesty and growth, Devale Ellis challenges traditional ideas of masculinity, making his story one that resonates deeply with millennial women.
For the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker peels back the layers of masculinity with candid conversations that challenge stereotypes and celebrate vulnerability. Real men. Real stories. Real talk.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by YouTube/xoNecole