Dive Brief:

• Telfar has amended parts of its trademark application for its TC logo after British beauty brand Charlotte Tilbury opposed it last year, claiming Telfar’s mark could be confused with its own.
• Telfar is removing the request for the use of its logo on colognes, perfumes, cosmetics and eyewear. When Telfar initially applied in 2021, it sought trademark protection for its TC logo in these categories, as well as on bags, jewelry and clothing, according to its filing. 
• The withdrawal of the cosmetic and eyewear portions of Telfar’s trademark still allows the brand to lean into the areas of handbags, jewelry and clothing, which have made the brand and its logo well known.

Dive Insight:

Telfar doesn’t currently make cosmetics or eyewear, but amending its trademark application to exclude these categories leaves the door open for similar opposition from the beauty company should Telfar try to enter these categories in the future. The trademark on its logo for other categories still stands.

Telfar’s initial bid to trademark its logo for beauty may signal it wants to expand its reach, echoing similar moves by other brands who have recently entered the category.

While Charlotte Tilbury offers makeup and skincare products,the brand does not currently make eyewear or accessories. 

Telfar, whose popular bags have been dubbed the “Bushwick Birkins,” has seen a meteoric rise in popularity since its launch in 2005. Last year, Nylon Magazine reported that its bags were retaining more resale value than any luxury brand including Hermès. Brooklyn-based, Liberian-born designer Telfar Clemens is also known for his unusual, grass-roots marketing efforts, including asking Kmart to sponsor his 2014 fashion show, designing uniforms for White Castle in 2017 and hosting a shopping event at fast-fashion retailer Rainbow Shops in downtown Brooklyn last year.

Neither Telfar nor Charlotte Tilbury responded to Fashion Dive’s requests for comment ahead of publication.