telfar by olivier zahm and torso of this

telfar —> TELFAR CLEMENS

interview by OLIVIER ZAHM and SAVANNAH NOLAN
with BABAK RADBOY
portrait by OLIVIER ZAHM
photography by TORSO OF THIS

designing radically casual unisex clothing,
the self-taught american creates a street uniform
for a fun and progressive generation

OLIVIER ZAHM — It’s fantastic to have you in Paris. We need your energy here. You started Telfar in 2006, right?
TELFAR CLEMENS — I’ve been doing my line since I was 15. I’ve never had another job, really. In high school, I was like, “I’ll cut some jeans and make some money.” The brand began in 2004 officially. I started making two collections a year and showing on the New York Fashion Week schedule.

OLIVIER ZAHM — How has the fashion world changed since then?
TELFAR CLEMENS — It’s changed so much. It went through the recession, the Internet phase, and fast fashion coming in, in big and…