Telfar Are Revamping Uniforms
Telfar Clemens, the Founder and CEO of Telfar (see my previous article on its fashion plagiarism from GUESS), has recently updated the uniform of hamburger chain White Castle for its 100th anniversary. Clemens, known for hosting after-parties at White Castle due to its late opening times, met with the company’s vice-president in 2015 after he was unable to source sponsors for his fashion shows. White Castle showed its support and Clemens was commissioned to make over 12,000 uniforms for its employees, as well as limited edition t-shirts branded with the zip codes New York City White Castle branches. As a celebration of the company’s 100th Anniversary, Telfar has made further design updates, including the creation of a durag and other items of clothing. The durag was specifically made in response to requests from employees, and this marks a new age in clothing for the hospitality industry, with greater steps being made towards inclusivity and fluidity of design when it comes to professional clothing.
“White Castle supported us before our success, and we consider them family. Their team would serve Sliders backstage at all our shows and were basically part of our team. It’s still the only thing open after midnight in [the Founder] Clemens’ hood - seeing our uniforms there means something to us, and so we take it personally.”
The ‘collection’ has been modelled by the employees of White Castle in Queens, New York City, showcasing a uniform that is practical and innovative: ‘Telfar has taken our uniform to a new place, creating something that’s distinctive, attractive and comfortable, and something our team members will feel great in whether they’re at work or hanging out with friends and family.” (Jamie Richardson, White Castle VP)
If you would like to own one of the items of clothing but don’t work at White Castle, you can purchase a piece from the collaboration online via a limited-edition collection. Hats, hoodies, and t-shirts from the collection can all be bought and the and the proceeds will be donated to the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Liberty and Justice Fund, which provides bail to imprisoned minors.