WUWY INTERVIEW: Telfar Clemens Talks Opening New Store, DJing Naked, Real Leather Bags, Fast Fashion + More

Published Nov 22, 2024, 7:00 PM

Telfar Clemens Talks Opening New Store, DJing Naked, Real Leather Bags, Fast Fashion + More

What's up this way up for angela Ye, and this is a huge day from my boottel far just guess what that Tell Far Star is opening tomorrow tomorrow, and you know, we.

Gotta pop a little champagne.

Oh my god, you had great.

Because you already know what it is. Dan, can we get.

Oh my god, you know?

Let me move? My god, how did you guess?

How did you guess? I love a bubble. I love a bubble. Thank you, thank you.

Champagne is a celebratory drink of choice.

Hey, I'm like celebrating. I'm excited for tomorrow.

Tomorrow is going to be a big day and this tell Fairs start and I know this has been something that's been in the works for quite some time. How long did it take from when you first decided and got the space to tomorrow.

We're upon the twentieth year anniversary, so I would say it's taken twenty years, you know.

But I mean as far as when you knew you were going to do a flagship like the.

Flagship, I would say probably two years. It's been two years in the making, almost three years in the making. Wow, thank you so much.

Then let me get yeah, because you know how This is such an It's a.

Big, big, big, big, big, big big deal. It's like something I've been waiting for for You're a time, very long time, very long time, and I think we wanted to do it the right way. Cheers. Wow, cheers tomorrow.

Here's the tell for tomorrow.

And congratulations all of your hard work and innovation. And what I love is always really rooting for the underdog.

Oh cheer, I love an underdog.

You have to make that sound different than what I'm.

I like to have a good time.

No, me too, But anyway, so go back to that. So two years since you can see this and you have it in such a great location.

Now and Broadway like so much history and meaning behind where the store is, you know, because there's soho where shopping is. But Canal Street is like what I know as like like a certain level of shopping where it's like you know where the grits used to the grates used to go down there, you know, like and the counterfeit bas and just like everybody gets their take of you know, like I don't know, it's just like this intersection that's so much of New York, yeah, you know, and like kind of like my growing up.

I think about that too, even like buying gold and jewelry over there and haggling, because haggling is always fun.

Yes, yes, yes, I'm gonna.

Go check off. Wait, hold on, hold on how much exactly?

And I come from the era of like, you know, I used to go to Canal Street to get DJ Clue mixtapes. You know, like all this was like before streaming services and all the different things like that. It's like, you know, all the new music that would come out. I would like specifically go down there to get a mixtape every single week that had all the new R and B hip hop remixes that you can't hear on the radio, you know, so all that, you know. So it's like I think of it like that, and to get the bootleg movies and all of that. So it's like really like it's like there's this like energy that I want to have that I acknowledge from like me being around when that was like the time now.

And when you get the bootleg movie, you never know.

How good exactly exactly. People walking by, people talking to.

The bag, somebody's heads in front of the old the whole time. So yeah, I loved that was definitely a time that will never experience anything like that again.

And one more thing about the store that's historical is that it's if you're from New York, you might know OMG Jean's.

Let me tell you something. You know, how much I shopped in OMG.

Gens Okay, okay, okay, real ones know. But this is like where you would get like basically you know, Levi's, Ralph, Lauren Polo, you know, like it was just like all these different brands. So it's like kind of funny that that's the space that.

And it's huge. It's over ten thousand square feet.

Over ten thousand square feet. I don't know how to count square feet, but it's big. Yeah, you know, it's big.

That's no, that's a humongous story. And so I just want to congratulate you on that, and we're gonna do something for today.

Thank you so much.

Since I know you love taking a trip down memory lane, I want to go through some of your old headlines and hear the story behind the story. All right, So let's do some stories behind the story behind the story.

White Castle Jamie Richardson big shout out to Jamie Richardson from White Castle, who has been like so supportive in like how the brands you know, both like became visible in just like a different way because you know, as you know, we make the White Castle uniforms or have made them for you know, like years.

You know, it's been a good reason to work at White Cast.

It was a very good reason. But they're just such a cool company. Like we called the one eight hundred number, and we were kind of like looking for you know, like a partner to work with for a fashion week you know, like when we were doing the fashion week shows and different things like that, because you know, that stuff costs money and you know, like the sponsors that were available at that time didn't want to sponsor brand like me, you know. So yeah, we'll talk about that in a second. But yeah, he just really came in full force and saw the vision of what we were doing and.

Why Caster was awesome important to you growing up in Queens and City.

They have one on Queens Boulevard and that's like when I would be coming home from like my DJ gigs, you know, four in the morning, that was the only place that was open to get something to eat, you know.

Before you know, like your choice melt.

I would get a slider, but I would also eat their breakfast, you know. So it was like this like kind of waffle, you know, sandwich that has like bacon, egg and cheese in it, you know. And then they started to have like these like just like you know, like some wild sandwiches, surf and turf. You know. So I'll be twisted and just like have like thirty two different variations of White Castle, you know. So like yeah, from like eating there to then them becoming a part of this story and also too, just like you know, we did so many different things with that company, and they just like their family owned company, you know, just like you know, I'm an independently owned business, you know. So yeah, and it's still to this day, you know, like whenever we do events, you know, they pull up and they have a Crave truck. You know. So big up to Jamie Richardson and the whole staff at White Castle.

Like yeah, when you talk about it costs money to do these fashion week shows and things like that, and people were not trying to partner with you back then, right, how was it for you to keep going? Because sometimes that can be so disheartening knowing that you have this vision of what you want to do and knowing that you have the talent for it, and then you know, sometimes people can't see, like one day I'm a blow up and none of this is going to matter. Because when it's happening, it does matter. And so talk to me about that difficulty, because that's hard for people.

When it's happening, it does matter. And I will say that like my friends, my family, my community around me like supported this vision. It's like, you know, and in some ways, like not having all the resources really shows you who fucks with you, you know, and who really believes in this thing and who is there for real, you know, And that's like a really special time because it's like it kind of builds this like invincibility that you have around you. Because when you have good people around you and like your friends that really tell you what's up and are there for no o cooin at all, you know what I mean, it changes the dynamic of things. It changes the dynamic of things, and like I'm thankful for that, you know what I mean. It's like because this didn't happen overnight. Yeah, I started doing this when I was fifteen. I don't think I actually like really wrote my own self a check that I could cash myself until I was probably thirty, you know what.

I mean, fifteen years before that happened.

Yeah, that's why because listen, people don't see that part of it. And I even know today people want to start businesses, they want to do things, they want to invest, but they think it's going to be a quick return.

They think it's going to be a quick return. I think that that's how fashion is. Fashion is fast and fickle, you know, so like when you are you know again, I'm an independent designer. I have an independent company. But when you are kind of like signed to like or you know, involved with an investor that's expecting to make their money back or a certain amount of money back, in like an era where it's like, you know, like it depends on what you're trying to do. I'm like, what I'm trying to do is not like something that has been done right, you know, And there's so many different avenues that could have taken to be like, oh, I'm not a unisex line. I make women's clothes. I make you know, it's like I wanted to do this because it does not exist. You mean something more that this is you know, coming from me, and it's like coming from like a place of like you know, like exploration and like new things that can be possible in the world.

I like that I can wear, Like, first of all, one of my favorite things is a zip up Tell Far hoodies. Okay, okayiod my boyfriend can wear.

It exactly, exactly exactly, And it's like at the end of the day, they're just clothes, you know, And it's like all the connotation of like what clothing means to people. It's like I try to dissect that and like, you know, like really like the ethos of the brand. It's like kind of like everybody can wear and it's like this model is not for you. So for every one it's really ambiguous for a reason because it's just like I'm not trying to push anything on you, but at the same time, it's just like what's your problem?

You know what I mean, that's on you?

Yeah, all right, let's do another headline, all right, Tell for our debuty new bag color on Insecure and fans want to secure it. Talk to me about what went on behind the scenes with this sage colored tel Far bag on Insecure.

Wow, I mean that was like I was so excited to watch that show when it was.

That was.

Because we didn't have anything else, like but that didn't feel representative of me to watch.

But they had fine, fine, fine cast on that, you know. Yeah, And then like I mean like being like I have wished for that, for a character to be associated with my brand in a real way that it acts in the real world world. And it started to you know, facilitate itself through that show, you know what I mean, because I'd see little things and I'm like, oh, that's how, that's this, that's the type of person, you know, and it's like really just like you know, it's like a snapshot into that certain time period that was just like special, you know, And.

How did you feel when that happened? And what kind of impact did it have on the brand?

I mean, like I just love watching TV like I am, you know what I mean. And it's like when I'm flipping through the channels and I see a little piece of something and it's like, you know, you don't have to appear on something to be visible, and it's like being visible in that way with like you know, and just like in all different kinds of ways, you know what I mean. Because people are like, oh, like, I don't want to be on that. I want to kind of be a part of everything and have everyone that likes something to be able to be able to be a part of it. I'll never be like, yeah, that bothered me. It's like, you know, which is like sometimes I'm like, damn, that shit really didn't bother me.

But that's you know, so but and you know, you're the reason why.

Initially I even knew Maya the dawn after seeing you work with her so early on, I went and looked at her stuff and then she ended up doing lip service, you know, after that. But I love that you have your ear to the street that way.

And years to the street exact. You know. Like I was saying, I like, again, listen to the radio all day long, so it's like your voices guide me. It's like, you know, like it's important that I come here. This is the way that I want to spread the word to people that like like me. You know, listen to the radio still, you know what I mean, And it's like, you know, it's important, it's important.

You know, you're from Queens, but we definitely claim you in Brooklyn.

I'm from Brooklyn. I'm from Queens. I'm from Manhattan.

It is the Bushwick and that is in Brooklyn, you.

Know, the Bushwick, I would say the Bushwick. You know, I love the to far Shoper. You know, you have a tel fee, you have a you know, and that's like it's like I'm at home, and it's like going now in this new chapter of being in Manhattan. It's like very much like it's like a full circle moment, man, you know.

I mean, that's such a great location.

Canal and Broadway, and to have that huge base at a time when brick and mortar stores it's been kind of tough for people in retail. It's been kind of tough for luxury brands too, you know. So but I know this is something that's been in the works, and your approach has been so unique in comparison to what other people have done. So let's talk about this next headline, and this is about the radical new pricing system is the ultimate anti luxury move. And we discussed that when you were here, you know, last time. TOUGHI is making his new collection more accessible than ever thanks to a dynamic pricing experiment. What was that experiment like for you? How do you think that the results were from it.

Think we're talking about live price, yeah, where we posted the collection online and we found out how much people wanted to pay for it. So it was like basically a crowdsourced information process of like, you know, finding out how much people can pay for some because I'm like, I'm very confused. It's like I'm not like a shopper, you know. It's like I have I have closed, but people send me a lot of things, you know what I mean. And it's like I go to stores and I really don't buy anything, you know what I mean. I try everything. I have a lot of stuff, and it's like I'm learning to minimize, but I also too, I love stuff, you know, so you know i'll hit someone up. But I'm like, I'm really confused about the price of things and the price of what the price of living is in New York America, you know, just like what someone makes in a you know, like all those different things. So it's like you ask the people.

You also know how much it costs to make things too.

I know how much it costs to make That.

Comes from a different space when you see things and you're shopping and you're like I know this copy cast.

Yeah, it's like I'll go to the store and I'm like, damn, that's like that used to be what my rent was, you know, at this one time, and this is like a T shirt And I guess it makes sense because it's this, you know what I mean. But you know, like all that aside, I'm like asking the people, like what do you want to pay for this? And as they were as they were like, you know, like kind of I think the process was that they would they would bid on it and it would go up every single minute, so they had to I guess you were able to buy it as like, you know, like is that how it worked? Yeah, it was you could buy it. You could buy it as you know, like and it stopped at a certain price, and once people voted at a certain price, it stopped at that, you know, so like things were like oh, you know, like she shid sixty dollars. That's what people said. You know, it was like a video game. And that gave me a lot of insight too to like how we're gonna you know, do the store, you know, and like kind of like what things cost there and I want things to be affordable and it's like really about the clothes, and it's like for me, I'm like you need to try this stuff on, you know, and like really get into what it is, you know, and find out, like you know what your size isn't a to far thing, you know, like what this thing's what's the meaning of it? You know what I mean? And it's like it doesn't need to mean anything. It could be like, oh that s it's nice. I like it, you know. But at the end of the day, it's like an experimental process of like getting to work with people and people getting to work with me, you know, and being able to like, you know, actually see touch things. It's like this isn't an Internet brand, you know.

Man getting to speaking of that, right and people getting to see things, touch things. Now you have your brick and mortar opening how to far As Rainbow store pop up, brought the it bag back home, and you did this amazing collab when you were selling at Rainbow.

I love Rainbow, like the most beautiful collection of clothing ever, you know, like beautiful, Like, yeah.

You could have did that anywhere, right, and you chose Rainbow to do that. And you have people coming out in droves to really lined up my damn god, daughter was calling me like I'm online.

Yeah, I remember that day. That was like, you know, two years ago. Now it's like this is going to be our like kind of like next activation since then, you know. But Downtown Brooklyn was like super important. It's like again, that's my home, you know, and it just means more. It's like that that was during fashion week, and it's like we weren't choosing to do a runway show, right, It's like we actually did a thing that was like kind of you know, giving people the thing that they were asking for.

Yeah, and it is a lot of what to do is very anti what the establishment is trying to.

Yeah, all right now.

In spite of all that, though, here's another headline. The hottest bag of twenty twenty three has been named Rebags. Clear report reveals that this New York brand has to pass Z and retaining retail value for the second year in a row.

Woo.

I can't wait to see what they say for twenty twenty four.

But you know that's you because people will tell you bags and things like that are not a good investment, right, like you know, historically, like oh, while you're buying more bags, while you're buying this, but it actually can be untail Foreign bags number one on the list two years in a row as far as retaining its retail value.

O good.

Yeah, how did you feel when you were in that headline?

I mean, I'm like, on whose list? Is this odd? You know, because it's like I think, like, you know, like sometimes when people resell a bag, it's like sometimes like almost like I don't even know how much more like what is it like five times the amount or you know, because there's a bag that would be like one hundred and ninety bucks and then we see it on you know, online that someone is reselling it for almost like five thousand, six thousand dollars, you know, and it's like cause it's you know, came in unlimited amount of it, and you know, people are clamoring for it, and it's like making nothing available and like doing the thing with actually having a physical store where people can go is almost counteracting that, you know, because you can just go and get it, you know, like it that's that wasn't my intention, you know, but it's kind of cool that that person is getting five thousand dollars for that bag that they got at the right time. And the right place and you know, like and people value it.

Like that's the balance for you too, and making sure that things are accessible for everyday people, but also having those limited editions.

You know, it might go for five times I a limited edition.

It's like I'm exploring that, you know what I mean. It's like, not everything's for everyone, and then sometimes things are just so fun to just have and like have in the world and to make few of them, you know, right, And I think with a store and a place like that, that's not you know, like I able to do that online in the store. I really want you to have a sneak preview of like new collections, you know, and you come and see them before and you pre order them, like very similar to how we did, like you know, like the pre orders for the bags in past years, you know, in like early years. So it's like you do a pre order for a collection that nobody's seen yet, that didn't come out yet. You get to try it on and it gives me more insight on like what's gonna happen next season?

What about customizing your bags in store?

I mean I see so many people that do that, and it's like I'm like I want to collaborate with people that do that. You know, it's like a store that's not gonna work like a traditional store. It's like I really want different energies to be able to come into that and to be able to have space.

We never know what you might do so far. That's either either you can walk out of here and.

Be like, you know what I'm gonna do. But that's good because now you have the freedom.

Freedom. Freedom is the main thing is like between like the people that I'm working with and you know, just like the way the world's moving, that's like important, you know what I mean, because I feel like that's like, you know, it's the thing that's driving things. And it's not money. You know, money doesn't buy that. You know. It's kind of like you know, for me, I think it's going to be physical interaction, you know, physical interaction with people like that you can meet on the street and different people walking and yeah, I'm seeing the things, you know.

You know, here's another headline, right, I want to bring back loitering.

Yes, bring it back exactly. It's like this New York person that used to be like verse six to nine. You know, where you would go to store openings and different things that like had open bar you'll go to like five or six A love it, Like you know, it's just like this like energy of like you know one maybe not having a job, but too just like you know, experiencing and exploring the city. That's not this thing of like experiencing through the screen and like knowing you know, Like it's like I just like come from the era of like you didn't know where your friends were at all, you know, because nobody really had cell phones and you just knew people would be like on the Lower East Side on like Orchard Street or like hanging out, you know, like and you would walk by there and then you'll run into your friends at a certain time or like you know, and it's like that was a beautiful time.

You're right, you know what I mean because the kids today do not know that time.

But I mean expense if it was to have a cell phone, got.

One, yeah, like by the minute.

Yeah, by the minute. It's like that. You know, I remember before text messages or even having like an age like to be able to take a picture on your phone. Like when people started taking pictures on their phone, I start acting differently in clubs. You know what I mean, And I feel like people that has precipitated into how people act.

What were you doing?

I was having a good time. Different having a good time. I mean, first off, you know, there's no secret. It's like I remember the first time I started to DJ, I DJ naked, you know. So I used to DJ butt naked at you know, Happy Endings. That was downtown, and like it all makes sense, you know. So it's like and that was like really fun because it's like you'll be at a club and it's like take your pants off, you know, like like everybody's there saying and having a good time, and now was like a good time that like the DJ is completely naked and made you want to get naked and like, you know, have a good time. Then when people had cell phones, it was just like corny jeep, you know. And then also to you, I could play music, so it's like I don't need to I.

Need to give it up all that up with your hands or.

You know, I tried my best.

All right, well, you know, speaking of DJ naked, let's talk about your out ofwear collection with moose Knuckles.

Yes, moosy, moosy moossy Yes, Yes, love that you know, I had my moose knuckles.

That was one of my favorite collapse.

Today that Yeah, they allowed me to do the most beautiful collection of like winterwear, which is like, you know, if you're designer, you know that that's hard to do to out of weear such a long process. But yeah, we worked on that for like, you know, a year or so, and it's like an ongoing collaboration and those moose knuckles are going to be at the store, you know, like my favorite piece or mat. Yeah, it's like the hoodie hoodie puff jacket, which is basically a mix between a hoodie and a puff jacket. You know, that's like our staple. And it has sweatpants that go for it too, So that's like yeah, yeah yeah, Ski Ski Club Club Ski.

Like I want to go out and shovel the snow and my moose knuckles and I.

Mean, you know people are shoveling snow, all different kinds of snow.

Okay, so now now let's do this next one. What what's harder for you denim or out ofwear? Would you say, as far as being a designer, what's the harder thing?

To say harder? I would say probably like both things take a long time. I would say outwear takes a long time, you know, because like there's so many different processes that go into making a coat, you know, like and making a good coat and a coat that's you know, like gonna you know.

The coat last forever.

To the.

Hate that they don't want you to buy stuff that lasts forever because then it's like you're not going to come back and buy another one next year.

You see. It's the difference between you know, like you know, fashion and fashion. You know, it's like two different two different things, two different people. You know.

Now you started doing real leather bags.

Also, yess exactly, so you know that's the thing, you know, vegan leather, real leather, you know, one might last forever, you know, and one just.

Like you know, the durability of it, you know. So it's like I'm dabbling in both, you know, because I eat meat and I.

Like we you know, so you say something like that, it's like you can be a.

Vegan to have a little you know, chick it on the side, you know.

Okay, so what tell people what's the difference between vegan leather and.

And the pebble leather that I have? So the vegan mother. You know the difference. Yeah, it's not real. First off, the vegan one, there's no animal that's coming from it, but it is made out of like polyur thane, which is plastic. And then the other one, you know, that is made out of you know, a small satch of like animal hides. We make them in limited qualities, and it's kind of like this like step into because that's like the criticism. You know, it's like it's bag, yeah, you know, and it's like, oh so we finally made one. It's called the carry bag, you know, and it's just like, you know, it's like a forever kind of bag and it's take on the you know, original to far vegan shopping bag that again, you know, both of those things they're just they're different things. They act different. You know.

It's interesting that you say that people will say it's not real leather, because I remember people were shocked when they Louis Vauton bags are not leather, like the.

Yeah, but yeah, I mean I was like, you can't feel this.

Yeah. It's just like how anything that's made in Italy is actually made in China. It's just a stamp, you know what I mean it's like, you know, so there's so much discourse around, you know, like what's doing, what to wear, and it's like at the end of the day, it's like, how are you consuming it now?

You did your first all leather bag collection with Wilson's Leather, right, you did a capsule collection.

Copsle collection of clothesing bag.

How are you able to do all these collabs? Because do people?

I know, sometimes people try to get you to do things and be more like exclusively with us. But it's kind of like you've been able to navigate through that and kind of like work with work with Moose Knuckles, work with Wilson, you know, just do these different collabs and still have these great relationships with these brands.

Yeah, I mean I work with brands that we both either really really really esteem, like brands that I grew up with. I'm like, damn, I want my take on this thing because it's like I love having my take on every different piece of fashion, you know, like that it's like, oh, that's my version of this thing, you know, like in my version of nothing. And you know, so it was like really like you know, like I love that, and it's like being able to make cause it's like I can't make everything myself now, you know, and it's really great to work with a partner that is like the top of their game. I'm making this, yeah see whatever quality and to get it right, to get it right, you know, like you know, fashions fickle and fast, so it's like you don't have too many chances to get it right. And it's like we've just been like you know, in the ethos of like things I've been making for like the past twenty years, to like actually making the real thing with the with the company that kind of makes that thing the best, right, I know. So it's like Wilson's was like kind of like a nostalgic thing. It's like, you know, I have a thing for the mall. You know, the mall turns me on, you know. So it's like you you know, I just remember exactly okay, yeah, yeah, yeah, but it's like, you know, I've always like kind of treated like how we design things like kind of like in a mall ethos, you know. So it's like the first leather leather thing that I remember was Wilson's leather. You know. It's like, you know, I remember Lake Forest Mall having like a Wilson's leather storm when you've made enough money you could go get a leather coat, like you know. So it's like having that accessibility and that knowledge of like what used to be accessible to me, but like shifting and making it, you know, now it's unisex offering of you know. And you know, I didn't even know if Wilson's isn't them all as much anymore, but it.

Was like I remember it though, you know, honestly hadn't thought about Wilson's until you did the collaboration with them. But then it's like, oh damn, yeah, Wilson's. That was you know that that's my mom's coat. You know, that's like, that's my dad's code.

You know, it's just American heritage, you know, kind of collaboration that I kind of like to have this like new take on it. That's like coming from a new place, you know.

All right now let's do this headline.

Yeah, they're gonna be headlining like that. The press run was successful.

Why tough far bags are the new HBCU material girl staple. They started doing these tough fur Tuesdays.

Oh yeah, yes, yes, yes, I've seen them. I've seen them. I've seen them really really really beautiful. And also to have like a Facebook group too where it's like they it's like the discourse and you know, so it's like that's cool school Bay, you know, like back to school. That was Eastpac and the different things and like I get it, you.

Know, yeh know. The Eastpac collection another great one.

You know.

I love the Defo bags too.

Yeah, that's the one I carry out.

Whenever I use the Defo bag, people stop me in the airport're like, where did you get that bag?

Okay?

I was like they they let you through random people like I would you know what I mean? They actually like the bags.

Yeah, I love random I love I love Random rand That's like my favorite. It's like people that also talk to me and don't know anything about anything. They just like the thing.

You know, I feel like you're very nostalgic, But do you feel like you need to keep up with fast fashion?

I wanted to back in the day, you know, like when I would say, like in the early two thousands, when I saw H and Them and like different people having H and Them collaborations and like different things like that, I was like, shit, how would I do that? You know, and now I think like I wouldn't necessarily say no, but I wouldn't necessarily say yes. You know. I kind of like this new era of having to go to the store that you deal with the person and deal with the real thing, not the diluted version of it. You know. So it's like I'm kind of glad that I haven't really stepped into that like that okay, you know, But at the same time, I'm like, should I with you? Yeah? I kind of don't limit things, like, you know, I don't limit myself in that kind of way that is that you know, I think we we almost did many different things with many big brands that I won't mention.

People tap you to try to come in and be you know how they'll tap like a designer that has their own brand to come in and like head up, Yeah.

That's like the whole game of twenty twenty, you know, was trying to you know, activate the community, you know, and I have to really beware of that too, because it's like they just.

Want you yeah at that time, you know, yeah.

And it's like that's not what I'm here to do. You know. It's like I've been doing it pretty well. And successfully on my own and doing it with people that actually understand what it is. I don't need to like grow in that kind of way. You know.

For me, No, that's not growth to me because no matter what, whether they respect it or they don't, like.

It's just around. It's just around. You know. It's like, you know, I can compare it to like, you know, like I can compare it to like people were not wearing leggings in the early two thousands until just everybody started to sell leggings. You know, you just had no choices, Like you know, I.

Get legs, Like I just moved and I had like a whole lot of leggings.

I just got it.

It's great.

So they kept like really really like amazing ones the rest of it.

I was like, Okay, I got to get rid of all these leggings, right, It's.

Like you see everything all through it's like, well, you know, like and you know, I don't know what I'm saying with that a doubt, but it's like, you know, either it could just be around, or it's like people get used to things, you know what I mean, when and they become real and regular.

Leggings were my thing. I'm not gonna lie for second.

If I could, I would write now.

And then people hate it that people acted like also when you wear leggings, you were not getting dressed right right, which.

Is like the most stressed you could ever get. You know, I put me in a legging.

All right now this headline, I want you to talk to me about what you think about this. It's an older article, but it said could tell far as policy of accessibility spelled doom for as popular bags. Clearly it didn't because this is from a couple of years ago.

But can you talk who wrote that? Actually, I don't know the fashion industry, you know. And that's the thing. It is, like people including like buyers, retailers, all these people that bought that try to buy into a brand, they tell you how much they think that you are going to sell, how much they think that you and that's really like a thing that's coming from them, you know what I mean. And we have to really like untangle our minds and like actually, like you know, because at that point I would say, like in my career, we had a following that was really real, you know what I mean, that we're attracted to this brand for many different reasons that didn't go to a store, you know, to buy anything, Like never even heard of that store. And it's just like understanding that the world is much is a much bigger world than the fashion world, and the world is fashion, you know, in comparison to what fashion is in the fashion world. You know what I mean? If that makes sense?

You know, I don't know. Oh you said it's from the Guardian.

Thank you, Oh the Guardian.

You see the Guardian wrote that I thank you for pulling that up. Dan dance on it. He's over here in the bag.

I was actually like I wanted to do something you know, a little different with you today and kind of go back in time just to see how things have happened to opening up this store, which we are celebrating.

Can we get some more shows.

The twentieth year anniversary?

You don't even understand, Like I think this store, like you said, bringing back loitering, it's going to be the type of place where it's nice to feel like you're in a store and the person wants you to stay, yeah, and they want you to loiter, they want you to interact with each other.

Which is like, you know, like it's the thing that I really feel mad weird going to stores, you know, and just like how it's like the stores that are available to go to don't necessarily you know, make you feel they don't make you feel like you are supposed to be there. And then secondly, like you know, like maybe I'm not supposed to be there because I don't you know, like I'm not like that kind of person. But just like the shopping experience is so off to me, yeah, you know, and then I never see the stuff that I actually like, you know, like I'm like I saw that Runway show and where's that thing? You know, it's like just a T shirt with the day about it. So it's like, you know, like eventually I would love to you know, start carrying different brands that I actually believe in too, and like new brands. So it's not just the store that's going to so far centric, you know what I mean. But it's like a store that's like all encompassing, telling yeah, things that I love and you know malls I mean yeah, yeah, I mean like I yeah, my favorite things you.

Know several times yeah.

Yeah, shout out to Oprah.

Yeah, what what other things do you see for the store? As we're sitting here talking about Oh my god, so many because.

I know you have envisioned a lot because that's what you do.

Yeah, like beauty's going to be a component that I want to really bring into the store because there's so much like shout out to my.

Gleam you see, are you going to do a tell for our.

Beauty or yeah. I mean like I want to have a salon, uh, you know, place so you can get your makeup done, place you can get your nails done. You know that will be at the store, So it's like you can come there for many different reasons, you know, as you know, it's connected to like the TV station. So we want to have this thing where we do you know, like you can basically get a makeover and then go in our you know, we we we're calling it the self checkout section where you can take a picture of yourself and this look and you know, and also to put it back and not buy anything. You know. It's just like it's supposed to be an experience and like kind of like people having experience with the clothes, you know what I mean. And there's also like a bag section, you know, it's like yeah, the bag bar, you know, yeah, which is going to have a lot of new bags that you've never seen, you know, So that's going to be a way for us to actually release things and then you know have an actual like you know, experience of like you finding it and other people finding out about it through you.

You know, no read there's going to be screens and people can upload their own content on that.

Yeah, telf our TV is a public access venture. You know, that's between me and the world, so you know, like where you can upload videos on there. I forget how it gets filtered, but you know, like that's basically the energy that's going to be happening, and it kind of happening more rapidly because even when you pass by the store, you know, there's going to be like you can see yourself and you could you know, like you know, so it's like this like energy of surveillance and then also to being able to go inside of a certain space that just acts different. You know, I'm really excited to see what that is. You know, It's like when we cut the ribbon on Saturday, it's gonna be really cool to see.

All right, let's talk about tomorrow and what's happening tomorrow.

Yes, tomorrow, can we all.

Just come like, how does this work?

So don't all come? Do not all come to this event on Saturday. The store is going to be open forever, I hope, you know, forever, forever, forever infinity to be exact, you know, So you don't all have to come the same day. But if you are down to come out to the event, it's going to be from seven to eleven. No, not even seven to eleven, damn not seven to eleven. That's eleven to seven, yes, not seven to eleven, yeah, eleven to seven. And just like a lot of surprises, it's going to be the beginning of a new era in New York City. Y'all get ready, you know, and come when you want, you know, don't all come on the twenty third.

Please, But it's about to be like out there.

I'm just saying, I think it's gonna be cute, you know, Like I have some really really really good friends New York Staples, people that make New York what it is, that are going to be in attendance to all these hints.

Are we going to be able to get that big bag clear trap? Ahead?

Of course, there's gonna be all kinds of bags there. Yeah, you don't like again. It's kind of like the end of this drop era and you might need to drop in to, you know, really see what's going on with so far and yeah, like I TC New York. You know four eight Broadway. Oh wait, oh my god, they're gifts.

Oh my god, I noticed a new medium bag?

That bag?

It is that a medium?

Is that? Ah?

Medium for your girl?

Also get one of the brand new bands brand new?

How how do I don't play with her?

Oh?

And I look and how did whoa?

Whoa?

Hello something? Color Balleria Gallorida Alada Ballerina, Bellerta, Bellerina, don't play her? You look gorgeous? Whoa? I also want to get you so much? It TC New York Gear. All of the new drops are going to be at the store. They drip drop drops, you know, brand new drips. You know what I'm saying, new collections as you know, all the different things that are going on. This color is fire Ballerina, Ballerina Vallerina. You can get yours to. This medium is only available at the or right now.

And the store is going to be.

Open opening tomorrow.

But if you went to we're gonna have a good time.

Yes, don't come tomorrow, So basically, don't come tomorrow, but come, you know, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, you know all of those days. Yes, forever, infinity.

Just those words come forever sound amazing.

Come forever. Yeah, come forever.

I'll be there, all right, But thank you so much. I appreciate you, and again.

Thank you for the champagne.

I always love talking thank you every time it's a new announcement and I love that.

Oh, thank you, thank you for letting me announce and coming way up because I'm like, I'm so happy to be here. This is the last of my press run.

Listen.

Well, I'm just glad that I'm the last and that tomorrow is the big day. And I just no matter what, I don't care what else you did, Like, I'm just so happy to sit here with you and celebrate what else I did.

What did I do?

You know people would be like, oh, this person did it, but oh yeah, but no matter what, like it doesn't matter to me because I want everybody to be talking to you about this store opening and to continue to do that.

I want you to be everywhere, so I.

C thank you everywhere like Wi Fi or Canal Street.

You know, I love this for you.

I love you. Thank you so much, way up, thank you so much, New York. Thank you so much. Everybody that is across the board that's going to come to the store, yeah, come, bless us, keep it going.