The Breakfast Club - INTERVIEW: Telfar Reveals New Bag Designs, Talks Flagship Store Opening + More

Episode Date: November 21, 2024

The Breakfast Club Sits Down With Telfar Clemens Reveals New Bag Designs, And Talks Flagship Store Opening. Listen For More!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello, my undeadly darlings. It's Teresa, your resident ghost host. And do I have a treat for you. Haunting is crawling out from the shadows, and it's going to be devilishly good. We've got chills, thrills, and stories that'll make you wish the lights stayed on. So join me, won't you?

Let's dive into the eerie unknown together. Sleep tight, if you can. Listen to Haunting on the iHeart radio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey guys, I'm Kate Max. You might know me from my popular online series, The Running Interview Show, where I run with celebrities, athletes,

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Hey, what's up? This is Ramzes Jha. And I go by the name Q Ward. And we'd like you to join us each week for our show, Civic Cipher. That's right. We discuss social issues, especially those that affect black and brown people,

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so join us each Saturday for Civic Cipher on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, I'm Gianna Prentiti. And I'm Jeme Jackson-Gadsden. We're the hosts of Let's Talk Offline from LinkedIn News and iHeart Podcasts. If you're early in your career, you probably have a lot of money questions. So we're talking to finance expert Vivian Tu, aka Your Rich BFF, to break it down.

Looking at the numbers is one of the most honest reflections of what your financial picture actually is. The numbers won't lie to you. Listen to this week's episode of Let's Talk Offline on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey y'all, Nimini here. I'm the host of a brand new history podcast for kids and families called Historical Records. Executive produced by Questlove, The Story Pirates, and John Glickman, Historical Records

brings history to life through hip hop. ["Hit The Road With Me"] Flash slam, another one gone. Bash bam, another one gone. The cracker to bat and another one gone. A tip but a cap, there's another one gone. Each episode is about a different, inspiring figure from history.

Like this one about Claudette Colvin, a 15-year-old girl in Alabama who refused to give up her seat on the city bus nine whole months before Rosa Parks did the same thing. Check it. And if you came with me Did you know, did you know I wouldn't give up my seat

Nine months before Rosa It was Claudette Colvin Get the kids in your life excited about history by tuning in to Historical Records because in order to make history, you have to make some noise. Listen to Historical Records on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Wake that ass up. Girl, what's in the morning?

The Breakfast Club. Morning everybody, it's DJ NV Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne the Guy the morning. The Breakfast Club. Morning everybody, it's DJ NV Jessalaria, Charlamagne the guy, we are The Breakfast Club. We got a special guest in the building for Queens New York, Queens get the money. And he got a lot of it, he got a lot of it ladies and gentlemen. Yeah I'm sure did. Tell for our club mates, welcome brother.

Hi, how's it going? Hey, what's up? What's up Breakfast Club, good morning. How you feeling this morning? I feel good, I'm glad to be here with y'all Glad to be here with y'all. Yeah, glad to be here with y'all lots of new things going on Yeah, I'm back in being to a Manhattan night. So I'm like lots of cool things are coming to the city That's right. So, you know, I had to come and drop y'all off of the newest news

What is the newest news? Well, first off, November 23rd, the Telfar store opens. Congratulations, we have New York City. In New York City, we're gonna bring back, you know, going downtown, soho shopping, loitering. I'm gonna be down there where all the fake bags are and the real ones and we can pick and choose. But they just recently did a sting and they said they got $40 million worth of fake bags off the streets.

That's horrible. That's horrible. And leave those people alone. I'm like, yeah, what are they? They don't have anything better to do? You know, it's like I love to be able to go down. I love seeing my bag down there. I'm like, that's when you know you made it. But that doesn't affect the sales though.

The fact that somebody can get your bag fake. It's the same price. I know that's right. It's the same price. I made good friends with all the bag dealers down there. They're very sweet men. Very sweet men. That's definitely like a different way of looking at it.

I love that. I love that you are not trying to, you know. No, you know, it's like the bags the same price. Yeah, you know. So it's like we're going to be on the same street. We're sharing the same turf. You know, they might be selling the same bag. How long has it taken for you to actually get your store? You've been talking about it for a while.

Yeah, I dropped the news actually here two years ago. When I said it, my team started scrambling to try to do it. And we were like, wait, if we're going to do it, we need to really do it. It shouldn't be a pop up. So this isn't a pop up. And it's on the eve of the 20th year anniversary of this brand, which is really cool,

because this is what I wanted to do you know yeah the whole time because this is the type of brand that is 360 that you need to kind of experience everything together in one place you know it's tying back to the tv station that we have Telfar TV so a lot of the you know like people that come to the store will get a chance to be a part of that TV process and that's where all the new runway shows are gonna be. Yeah, it's just like the clothes are made for a certain type of person and the stores that exist,

that person isn't really catered to. I'm a unisex brand, there's not that section in any store, so I have to do it myself, and I think it's gonna be a really interesting experience that people are gonna be able to take part in. Well, you have enough product, right? Because that's one thing people always say, that in. Well you have enough product, right? Because that's one thing people always say

that when they try to buy your bags or your stuff is sold out. They're sold out. So if you have a store with only one bag in it because it's sold out, how are you gonna fix that problem? I think that's why he don't knock the people on Canal Street, that's why he don't knock the bag. Exactly, you just go back down there,

you say they might have it before, you know. We're good friends now, so the real ones are out there they might have it before you know you know we're good friends now so you know the real ones are out there but I mean like there's no more like you don't have to wait for the drops like when you go to the store you can basically get any bag any size any color and even bags that you haven't even seen yet will be there and then also too the main thing is like, you know, really getting to experience the clothing. So there's one section that's for clothing,

one section that's for bags, and then one section that's for TV. So, and all those things will, you know, be what you can experience. Does that make you nervous though? Because one of the things about Telfar were, people love the bags, they love the clothes, but some of the mystique was trying to get it, right?

Because you know it's sold out, you gotta get the drop before the drop date. Like that was part of the mystique of getting it. Kind of like with sneakers, right? You wanna win it on that app. But if everybody gets it, it's like, ah, I don't want it. So how does that affect business? Well, I think that that's not what we were trying to do

in the first place. You know what I'm like? Yeah. That's just a beautiful thing that happened and it helped to like, cause that's when I took the business basically like independent, you know, like we weren't like trying to sell the stores. This was kind of during COVID and it really, it was like the most beautiful thing. Cause that's when I realized that, you know, the brand was bigger than what, you know,

like a store could project how much to buy or like, you know, the industry could predict how much you can sell in a season, you know, it was like bigger than that. So I, it was reassurance of this next process that, you know, should happen. Now for people that don't know, you were here a couple of years, two, three years ago, and you talked about this,

but I want for people that's just listening now, because some people might have just heard about you in the last two years, right? Latecomers. Latecomers. For people that don't know, the first question I would get was, you're from Queens, New York. Leprack City. Leprack City, the same place as Nori, right? Yeah.

How did a young boy from left rack get into making bags and how did it become successful? Clothes and bags, fashion. Fashion and totality. You know, I always have been interested in clothes. I've always had like, you know, my own perspective on what I wanted to wear. I love both women and men's clothing

and the right type of thing that I was allowed to wear or you know, like, you know, like I come from West African parents, you know, I'm from Liberia, you know, and there's like, you know, a certain way of how you should dress and how you should carry yourselves. And I completely like was not with that shit. So it's like, I wanted to be me, like literally like, actively tried not to go to any school

that had uniforms or anything like that because that's the way I express myself, you know what I mean? So from very young, I knew what I wanted to do but I didn't know what, that that was a job, you know? I wanted to be an accountant. I was like really, really, really, really, really good at accounting, you know?

So that's what I thought I was gonna do and then be able to like buy and, you know, like afford the clothes that, you know, that I saw. And when I actually like was going down that path, I'm like, wait, I'm really interested in fashion and making it and selling it to people rather than like math. And also too, it's like the things that I wanted to wear

didn't exist, you know? And it didn't exist for like, you know, like a person like me to be like, oh, that's the thing that I want to wear. It's like, where can you get that? It's like, I have to make it, you know? So it was like challenging myself and, you know, the industry that I'm in to kind of understand

where I was coming from, which is like, you know, I think that I actually had to like divorce myself from the industry to be able to do, you know, because it's just like, it's not made for the type of brand that I am. And I was going to ask that people are so close minded, especially the time that you were growing up. Especially in Queens. The good old days. The good old days.

Especially in Queens. That's like, that's the grit for me, you know, like all of that, you know, like what you can't do and like walking down the street and like 5 million people being like, bag it, bag it, bag it, this, that, the other is like, for me, that was like reassurance, you know, I know that that can be dangerous for like, people that just don't want that energy all day. For me, I used to be like, you know, I'm doing it right. And I look like that.

And then it's like, seeing people look like me a couple years later to be like, you know, I'm doing it right. And I look like that. And then it's like seeing people look like me a couple of years later and being like, damn, you look gay. You know, it's like, you know, it is just like all of that is exciting for me. And that's like when you see that, that's what people look like. It's like that means you did something and you actually changed. You know, you actually did something. You must know how to fight. You know how to fight? I got a lot of brothers.

Okay. I can talk a lot of shit. Okay, that's awesome. Because coming out of left rack down at elevator when he seen Tim's and Cart Hearts and all that and you wearing whatever you want to wear. I know I was like, they probably had jokes. I'm like, you must know how to fight.

I had a lot of brothers that could. Yeah, my brothers know how to fight. Shout out to all my brothers. I love them. And also too, my neighborhood was really like, I think New York's a different thing. Cause I also grew up in Maryland, DC, Virginia too. Where it's just like-

Okay, DMV. You know, Maryland's also seems like more like, you know, clothes minded when you're like in the suburbs and different places like that. But all of that, all of those experiences like shape the type of clothes that I wear and the types of challenges I wanna like take on on you know because I'm like that's what those people wear over there I want to twist it like this and like change it like

that and then we're all wearing you know these different tropes of like American culture that get twisted in this different way to make a whole new thing you know. Now in the last four years your brand has become one of the biggest black owned brand names without any investors, without any stores, any traditional advertising. How the hell did you do all that? It's the people. It's the people.

You see a mirror of yourself. Even how I relate to the internet, I don't really use it. I just see other people that post things, they post themselves in the bag, they post their lives. And it's like really the bag is this entry way that people begin to enter into the brand and kind of understand what's behind it. But it's like, I've been doing this for 20 years.

And each year I make two collections a year, you know, and this bag has helped us be able to kind of communicate it and people can get a piece of it in this kind of way. And I'm excited to see how, you know, it being available, there being a store, this third component in the business now, you know, like what happens in real life because it's a real life brand.

It's not an internet brand. Yeah. You know? Yeah. It's like before the internet. It's like you can't even Google me. And what I love is that you never change your prices. Like even when everything, because listen, I'm going to be honest with you.

I didn't buy one until I seen Beyonce with it. I got three 12-part bags. Really? Damn. Latecomer. I am. I definitely was a latecomer. I'll admit. But I just love the fact that even with that, all the recent success with everything, you still have not skyrocketed your prices like some designers do. Money doesn't buy style. Like the brokeest

people are the flyest people ever. Always been, like that's like where style and culture isn't bought, you know what I mean? That's like, again, late comer attitude, you know? And I really like, that's the person that I want to be able to be in things. It's like, I'm not necessarily broke, but it's just like, it's not a challenge. You know what I mean?

It's like, if you're gonna try something new that you haven't ever worn before, never tried before, type of thing you never seen before, it's like you should be able to get it, test drive it around, get three colors of it, throw it away, give it to your friend, take it back, you know. Wash it in the washing machine.

You know what I mean? It's like that's the type of fashion that is fashion to me. You know? People for a long time thought Beyonce was an investor. Right. Me. Yeah. Who thought that? I see it online because she wore she wears the bag. So people like, you know, Beyonce just don't wear anything. She she has a lot of investment, like in both my brain knowledge. You know, just like that's a person I've followed my entire life.

Like that's like legend icon. Also, too, just like the Knowles family, like Solange was one of the first people to ever wear a Telfar bag and have a Telfar bag. And like have me participate in like, you know, like a project that she's doing. So it's like just the sweetest, most beautiful people. So if they're investors, yes, in that sense, yeah. In that sense, but you know, I think like everybody is an investor in that sense, you know?

And how did you meet that family? Yeah. Invested in this, you know, business that's now a business, you know? And how did you meet that family? How did you meet the Knowles family? Through Solange. Through Solange, yeah, Like we met each other, we did a project at the Guggenheim when she was like doing her album rollout

for A Seat at the Table. Yeah. Yeah, I had just gotten back from Europe, loved the album. She was asking me to do this thing at the Guggenheim, which was like really cool. There's one of a kind, one time performance. Like everybody wore white. And I dressed like the entire cast of this performance. I think it was like maybe like 50, 60 people.

That's dope. And that was like one of the first things that like, kind of like the style of like runway shows that I wanna do are like, it's involved in that. You know what I mean? That's like, it's not like walking down of like runway shows that I want to do are like it's involved in that you know what I mean that's like it's not like walking down a catwalk like that you know it's like music style you know so I just knew things you know and there's just like a memorable experience and that was like one of the first most beautiful things that I got to do, you know. What is Telfar TV? What can we expect?

Telfar TV, you're on it right now. Oh, that's right. It's an interactive public access experience that's kind of very similar to like the energy that you see online and in all of our videos that we make. But I think in more long form, I would say. And also, too, it's like, you know, you can add things to it yourself

by posting your own videos on it. I think we're building it right now. I think with the TV station and different projects that are coming out and just like, you know, being here right now, I record every day of my life. And you have a camera on your glasses. Yeah, there's a camera on my glasses. Wow, that's dope.

You know, so each time that you see me with these glasses, you get to be a part of this experience that is Topar TV. Yes. So you always a fly on the wall. Yeah, I'm a fly on the wall. You know, I keep my mouth shut. You know, but it's like, it's been a part of just different projects. That's how we release different clothes sometimes.

It's like, different things are going on in my life and rather than having like a camera crew with me all the time, it's like, I'm the camera crew. I see how people actually react to me. You know, so it's like, yeah, it's like this very, like kind of unique practice to how I wanna start releasing clothes. And they're slick, like they're definitely slick.

They're not just, you know, yeah, you definitely give it. I love it. I wanna ask, I noticed like when you Google your bags, you see a lot of designers starting to copy what you do. I see y'all too. Right? Yes. And when I was saying any names like Coach, how does that affect? You see a lot of designers starting to copy what you do. I see y'all too, right? What I was saying any names like coach how does that Shout out to Stuart viewers who is like a very very very good mentor doing CFDA

You know like it's just it's what is. I'm gonna let you speak. I'm gonna let you speak. So I'm not- I'm gonna say a lot of their stuff looks exactly like the line that you put out, but how does that affect you? Because you design it. You put your heart and energy into it. And to see other people, you know, kind of mimic to what you're doing, how does that

affect you? And the brand and the business and you mentally? Yeah, without collaborating. Without it trying to be collaborative. Yeah, and I think like, you know, I have really, really, really, really, really beautiful customers and a fan base that like, if you know, you know, you know, and I'm not in competition with, you know, them, you know, I started doing this thing kind of like as like like when I made that bag It was based off of the Bloomingdale shopping bag and I was like just around during Christmas and I was like damn

Everybody looks so good when they have when they've come from shopping. I was like bags all sizes I was like damn everybody looks good a man a baby, you know, like everybody looks good I was like I was like I want to make a bag like that a baby, you know, like everybody looks good. I was like, I want to make a bag like that. And I want a bag like that that has my logo on it. Skylight Frame is more than just a photo frame. It's the perfect way to keep loved ones close, no matter the distance.

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Sup y'all, this is Questlove and I'm here to tell you about a new podcast I've been working on with the Story Pirates and John Glickman called Historical Records. It's a family friendly podcast. Yeah, you heard that right. A podcast for all ages. One you can listen to and enjoy with your kids, starting on September 27th. I'm going to toss it over to the host of Historical Records, Nimini, to tell you all about it.

Make sure you check it out. Hey, y'all. Nimini here. I'm the host of a brand new history podcast for kids and families called Historical Records. Historical Records brings history to life through hip hop. ["History to Life"] Flash slam, another one gone.

Bash bam, another one gone. The cracker, the bat, and another one gone. A tip, but a cap, cause another one gone. Each episode is about a different, inspiring figure from history. Like this one about Claudette Colvin, a 15 year old girl in Alabama who refused to give up her seat on the city bus

nine whole months before Rosa Parks did the same thing. Check it. And it began with me. Did you know, did you know? I wouldn't give up my seat. Nine months before Rosa, it was Claudette Colvin. Get the kids in your life excited about history by tuning in to Historical Records.

Because in order to make history, you have to make some noise. Listen to Historical Records on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey everyone, this is Courtney Thorne-Smith, Laura Leighton, and Daphne Zuniga. On July 8, 1992, apartment buildings with pools were never quite the same as Melrose Place was introduced to the world.

It took drama and mayhem to an entirely new level. We are going to be reliving every hookup, every scandal, every backstab, blackmail and explosion, and every single wig removal together. Secrets are revealed as we rewatch every moment with you. Special guests from back in the day will be dropping by. You know who they are. Sydney, Allison and Joe are back together on Still the Place with a trip down memory lane and back to Melrose Place.

So listen to Still the Place on the iHeartRadioipher. That's right, we're gonna discuss social issues, especially those that affect black and brown people, but in a way that informs and empowers all people to hopefully create better allies. Think of it as a black show for non-black people. We discuss everything from prejudice to politics to police violence, and we try to give you the tools to create positive change in your home,

workplace, and social circle. Exactly, whether you're black, Asian, White, Latinx, Indigenous, LGBTQIA+, you name it. If you stand with us, then we stand with you. Let's discuss the stories and conduct the interviews that will help us create a more empathetic, accountable, and equitable America. You are all our brothers and sisters, and we're inviting you to join us for Civic Cipher each and every Saturday with myself, Ramses Jha, Q Ward, and some of the greatest minds in America. Listen to Civic Cipher every Saturday on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever

you get your podcast. On Thanksgiving Day 1999, a five-year-old boy floated alone in the ocean. In the early 1990s, on a sunny day in 1999, a five-year-old boy floated alone in the ocean. He had lost his mother, trying to reach Florida from Cuba. He looked like a little angel. I mean, he looked so fresh. And his name, Elian Gonzalez, will make headlines everywhere. Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Elian, Leon Gonzalez. At the heart of the story is a young boy and the question of who he belongs with. His father in Cuba. Mr. Gonzalez wanted to go home and he wanted to take his son with him.

Or his relatives in Miami. Imagine that your mother died trying to get you to freedom. At the heart of it all is still this painful family separation. Something that as a Cuban, I know all too well. Listen to Chess Piece, the Elian Gonzalez story, as part of the MyCultura podcast network, available on the iHeart radio app, Apple podcasts,

or wherever you get your podcasts. You know what I mean? And we started like that, and then we started to refine what it was made out of, you know, and We were like, you know, like maybe it should be made out of something that's not it's like I'm not like this type of person That's like it needs to be this material and this material. I'm like, it's more like is it useful Like do you look good? You know what I mean? And like what it is It can be categorized in all different kinds of ways.

So it's like, you know, like we decided to call it a vegan leather bag. That was just like this joke on people that like, you know, esteem vegan. That's still like, you know, it's like, I eat meat, you know what I mean? But it is vegan because it's not leather. You know what I mean? So it's like when we did that and just like all these different takes on things that, you know, on the industry standard of what is desirable and what is, you know, what is fashion. You know what I mean?

Was like, it was really a take on that. And having that be like actually like, you know, the mascot and the vehicle that got me to the place that I am, I'm like thankful for that because me to the place that I am I'm like thankful for that because everybody can take place in that just like it's like this New York thing that just became global you know what I mean but we make a lot of different bags now I did I did I did and also too I have a really big surprise okay like a really big surprise okay well it's not too big it's not too small it's not too small it's a size in

between it's a size in between that everybody's been asking for like literally I get hate mail about not making the size of bag So this is gonna be available only at the store and only with you guys I love it today and also to I brought you guys The new gear from the store, that's what I'm talking about Yes, yes, yes. Did we bring the ITC to New York? I might be lying and if I did that.

No, you're lying, you're telling the truth. Okay. I don't lie. I don't lie, I don't lie. I don't lie. Now I wanna ask, is there more pressure for black designers? Like I look at some of the black designers

and when they put out clothes, I feel like they get crucified a whole lot more. Like I know one of the designers, Kirby, he was in my aid for a couple of months, people were criticizing him. Oh, Kirby, I hope you're well. You know, so is it more, do you get criticized more? Do you feel like they criticize black designers

more than white designers or other designers, I should say? I mean, first off, let's just start at like, white designers aren't called white designers. That's true. They're just called designers. And it's that ball of media. You know, it's that level of, it's like I have to really learn that, you know,

because it's like, when I first started making clothes, I think people thought I was Japanese, just because of the aesthetic of what the clothes are and these different things, and like when they saw Me they're like, oh You know what I mean? And it's like and I had to just like really that's like with Within the other person and within like our own community too of like what you're supposed to look like and I'm like I love being able to challenge what that is, you know

And also to everybody being able to accept that is not just like a black thing, but it's like a thing on fashion is like when I travel all over the world, I take little bits and pieces of these things and it starts to come back to these things. But then again, I'm like in left rack and I'm like, oh, I know what this is. And I know what that is. And on on that person it becomes this whole new world of like what it can be you know what I mean and yeah it's like I think getting it first and getting it having a heart is like part of fashion is like if you actually believe in that it's like take the hard road it's like if you actually want to look like that and you are that girl or that person like do that you You know what I mean? It's like, like again, like I said, like I will walk down the street and people will be like, you know, that's what you actually know. You might be doing something right. And if you actually just look like that,

it's like, I'm not changing my clothes every day. I didn't change my clothes every day, you know, like back in the day. And like, I, I ride a bike everywhere, but it's like, I really respect the person that is like, you know, like back in the day and like I ride a bike everywhere but it's like I really respect the person that is like, you know, I wore this this morning, I took the train, came home, went to this thing. It's like you're actually that person, you're not putting on a costume like Instagram or something like that. You know you're making enough money now where you don't got to take the train everywhere now. You know the train's gonna be a little dangerous sometimes.

I haven't taken the train in a very long time and I don't even think I took the train back in the day like that okay because I ride a bike everywhere like I said I'll ride a bike Queens Brooklyn Manhattan in all in one day you know and handle all my business from all year round so it's like I've never been like it's like whenever I get on the train it doesn't come that's how you know I'm like I'm actually from left rock city if you know about that it's like when you get on the train and it doesn't come. That's how you know I'm like, I'm actually from left-frag city. If you know about that, it's like, when you get on the train and it doesn't come and you have to get back out. Yeah, it was like, yeah.

So it's like, you know. Yeah, the fashion, when you first broke into the industry, you did it independently, right? Mm-hmm. Did any of the fashion houses try to box you out because the way that you move was totally different from anywhere else? I think, you know, I just had like, I like what I do, you know, it's like I've gotten

offers from everybody, from everybody, gotten offers from everybody, you know, and it was around a specific time around like 2020 when people wanted a black face to be a mascot for a brand that's not black owned, you know, to be acceptable for the time being. You see 2024 things are shifting back. It's like I force like I enjoy what I do. I have the freedom to do what I want to do, say what I want to say, you know, which is really important. Have the freedom to choose, you know, like

when I put out a collection, how I put it out and with who, you know, and I couldn't imagine being able to do that in the system. It's like, like I said, I had to actively choose to leave the fashion industry because I'm like, it's not, it's not, it's not what this brand's about, you know? Why didn't you sell? Because I mean, I'm sure they were offering a lot of money, a kid from- No they weren't.

Okay, maybe not, you know? No, it's like the deal that most designers get is like you make a small amount of whatever your business is. What was the first offer they sent you, if you remember? They who? I'm like, you know, first it's like, kind of like, you know, people wanna produce a collection which I would love to produce, you know?

And making that sacrifice to be able to do runway shows and fashion weeks and all these things, but do you get to sell those clothes? No. You know, like, do you actually sell those clothes? No, you know, like do you actually sell those clothes? No, and it's like that's why most designers have just as little runway To be able to make it or break it or it's all over you know what I mean, and it's like season to season and it's like

Do I want to do that and go to Europe to do that? It was like I could just get fired any second because You know and yeah, and it's like I enjoy what I do So I've been trying to figure it out independently because you know and yeah and it's like I enjoy what I do you know what I mean so I've been trying to figure it out independently you know and figure it out with my heart you know I've been doing this since I was 15 like my name is on it you know what I mean and it's like you know I lived in Asia and I've lived in Europe and it's like it makes a lot of sense here. You know what I mean? It's like I'm home, you know. Do you want to sell?

No. He's like, no. Do you see? No, there's nothing I could sell. And I'm not about selling anything. It's like I own my own name. It's like everybody in my company is like, I have a company with my best friends, that actually they've been through all different kinds of, realms of different fashion industries,

saying worked with different brands and designers and different things like that. And it's like, who owns their name? There's not a lot of people. And it's like, for me, that's like a big thing. It's like, if I didn't wanna do this, I'd be okay. It's like actually opening a store in this industry, like doing all the things that I'm doing to actively,

it's not about money. Like even a store that I'm opening is not about money. You can come there and try on some shit and take a picture in the new age kind of way And put the shit back. Don't tell people that no, I'm gonna tell them that It's a interactive story I don't want to buy a sweatshirt that you tried on and you stink Right, you see that?

You see all the window shoppers coming in Right, right Tell them I said I could come do this Hey, I'm a window shopper too. I go through all of the stores. I try something on, look through it, turn it inside and outside and I'm like, do I really want it?

We'll see tomorrow. If I wake up and think about it tomorrow, I'll text someone and be like, yo, can you send me that shit? But it's like, it's more special when it's like, someone actually wants you to be me that shit? You know what I mean? But it's like, it's more special when it's like, someone actually wants you to be in that thing. You know what I mean? And I want people to be in that thing.

You know what I mean? Gotcha. Now Beyonce, do you send her every piece of clothing or bag that you put out? Beyonce? I heard she just like, she does it herself. She orders online? She's the queen, I don't know.

I haven't even ordered online. I think she hits someone up and she has good people working for her. So, you know, like, yeah, I can't, like she works in mysterious ways. I'm like, yeah, I didn't even know we did that, you know? You still get giddy and excited anytime you see her wearing a bag?

I get giddy and excited when I see, like, everybody wearing a bag. Like, I get giddy and excited when I see like everybody wearing a bag. Like I get giddy and excited when I see you wearing a sweatshirt. You know, it's like I watch y'all show in the morning. Like you guys are the voices of the morning. My wife stole the sweatshirt by the way. I just want you to know that. Definitely stole last year's shirt.

November 23rd, you can come down to this store. 408 Broadway at Canal Street. We're bringing downtown back. Yeah. We can lawyer there. You can try some shit on. Absolutely love him. Oh, wait, the gifts!

Okay. Yes! Let's tell Fawc to bring in the gifts. Woo! My beautiful sister, Wilio. Hi. Coming bearing, coming bearing. And you know what I do need?

I need a bigger duffel. Did you make a bigger duffel? Yeah. OK. Like, do you have the big one that's for traveling? I got the middle duffel that's like a, I call it a one day. Like a one day. I need a little one.

Yeah, you got the big one. I'm going to do my reveal. You guys. I'm sorry. Thanks for having me It's medium. Yes, it is available only, only, only at our store for only a short, a million, million short amount of time.

So like you gotta get it, you can only get it at the store. Maybe we'll put it online. Do you think we should put it online? Yes, hell yeah. It's the size everybody's been asking for. Yes. Yes. Thank you so much. You're so welcome.

And also, Envy, I got you a sweatshirt that has- I do, I love it. Thank you so much. Let's see. ITC New York. I love it, though. ITC New York. You see, you can get the Canal Street look.

Just like DJ Envy. Check out the back. Check out the back. Check out the bag, check out the bag. Check out the bag. Tell us what that says, tell us what that says. Oh. 408 Broadway, New York, 877 Sexy Bag. Yes, you can call to request a bag

for those of you at home that can't make it to the store. November 23rd is the opening of the store, but hopefully the store will be open forever and many years to come. So don't all come the same day. Don't, you know, you know. I mean, what do you expect? You're having a block party in the back.

Don't all come the same day unless you're with the shits and then let's do it. Now tell us about that day. So you're doing a grand opening, you're doing a block party in the back. We're doing a grand opening. And you're doing something for people to perform, right? Oh my God damn it, man, what?

Okay. I mean, you perform and if you win, you get a free bag. How you know I'm about to be out there performing? What? You just got all the information, Tony. See, you listen to DJ Envy, listen to the source, the party, and the opening is going to be November 23. If you want to come by and be a part of Telfar TV on that day, please just stop by and see us. Or don't, and come the next day, the 24th, or the 25th,

or the 26th, or the 27th, or the 28th, or the 29th, or the 30th, or the 31st, or the 32nd. I don't think you'll be opening on the 20th, 20th of Thanksgiving. I don't think you'll be opening on the 34th. Yeah, it's like, I think we might be, you know, like, I want to do really interesting things with this store. It's not all about shopping, so sometimes we'll have a TV show

being taped there at the same time. Maybe we'll be shooting a music video. Maybe we'll be having a drink, you know? But yeah, I just want things to work differently. And yeah, I'm excited. I'm happy, happy to be here for breakfast. That's right. And what name Bushwick Birkin came from? Where did that come from? Damn, it came from the Internet.

I'm like, damn, Taufer Shopper. Like, why everything got to be related to a Birkin? Who's this woman? Why do you want that bag? And I guess I can take the esteem or whatever the street says it is, but, you know, Telfar Shopper and lots more to come. Yeah.

Thank you. Well, we appreciate you for joining us. November 23rd. Yes, November 23rd. It's the grand opening of the first store, Canal Street and Broadway. And make sure you head out there. There's gonna be all types of things given away.

There's gonna be a lot of fun. There's gonna be performances. And go out there and make sure you support and purchase somebody. You know, your fans and your supporters, they don't play about you. They don't play about you. They don't play about y'all either.

Don't play about y'all either. This is your store. Please come and bless it. Treat us well. Let's let the city be what it used to be. Well, it's Tell Fall Clemens. We appreciate all the gifts and everything. Thank you so much.

She could have that on tomorrow. Jess with the Shmedium! Jess with the Shmedium! It's Tell Fall. It's The Breakfast Club. Good morning. Wake that ass up! Early in the morning. The Breakfast Club.

Hello, my undeadly darlings. It's Teresa, your resident ghost host. And do I have a treat for you. Haunting is crawling out from the shadows, and it's going to be devilishly good. We've got chills, thrills, and stories that'll make you wish the lights stayed on. So join me, won't you?

Let's dive into the eerie unknown together. Sleep tight, if you can. Listen to Haunting on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey guys, I'm Kate Max. You might know me from my popular online series, The Running Interview Show, where I run with celebrities, athletes, entrepreneurs, and more. After those runs, the conversations keep going.

That's what my podcast, Post Run High, is all about. It's a chance to sit down with my guests and dive even deeper into their stories, their journeys, and the thoughts that arise once we've hit the pavement together. Listen to Post Run High on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's up?

This is Ramses Jha. And I go by the name Q Ward. And we'd like you to join us each week for our show, Civic Cipher. or wherever you get your podcasts. that give you the tools to create positive change in your home, workplace, and social circle. We're going to learn how to become better allies to each other. So join us each Saturday for Civic Cipher on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, I'm Gianna Prententi. And I'm Jeme Jackson-Gadsden. We're the hosts of Let's Talk Offline

from LinkedIn News and iHeart Podcasts. If you're early in your career, you probably have a lot of money questions. So we're talking to finance expert Vivian Tu, aka Your Rich BFF, to break it down. Looking at the numbers is one of the most honest reflections of what your financial picture actually is. The numbers won't lie to you. Listen to this week's episode of Let's Talk Offline on the iHeartRadio app, Apple

Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, y'all. Nimini here. I'm the host of a brand new history podcast for kids and families called Historical Records. Executive produced by Questlove, The Story Pirates, and John Glickman, Historical Records brings history to life through hip hop.

Flash slam, another one gone. Fast bam, another one gone. The cracker, the bat, and another one gone. The tip of the cap, there's another one gone. ["Fast Slam"] Each episode is about a different inspiring figure from history, like this one about Claudette Colvin, a 15-year-old girl in Alabama who refused to give up her seat on the city bus nine whole months before Rosa Parks did the same thing. Check it.

And it began with me. Did you know, did you know? I wouldn't give up my seat. Nine months before Rosa, it was Claudette Gorman. Get the kids in your life excited about history by tuning in to Historical Records. Because in order to make history, you have to make some noise.

Listen to Historical Records on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.