Supreme (brand)
File:Supreme logo.gif | |
Industry | clothing industry |
---|---|
Founded | 1994 |
Founder | James Jebbia |
Headquarters | , |
Products | Clothing, accessories, Shoes, |
Parent | VF Corporation |
Website | supremenewyork |
Supreme is a skateboarding shop/clothing brand[1][2] established in New York City in April 1994.
The brand was originally founded by James Jebbia. Although he was born in the US, he lived in England from until he was nineteen.[3] The first Supreme store opened on Lafayette Street in downtown Manhattan in 1994.[4] It was designed with skaters in mind, with a unique design on the store layout; the clothes arranged around the outside of the store with a large space in the middle. This meant that skaters with backpacks on could skate right into the store, and still feel comfortable.[5] In 2004, a store was opened on North Fairfax Ave in Los Angeles, California, which is almost double the size of the original New York store and also includes an indoor skate bowl.[6] There are other stores in Paris, London, Tokyo (Harajuku, Daikanyama & Shibuya), Nagoya, Osaka, and Fukuoka.[7] These modern stores still try to emulate the original Lafayette Street store design.
The distinctive red box logo containing "Supreme" in Futura Heavy Oblique is largely based on Barbara Kruger's propaganda art.[8]
The brand caters to the Skateboarding, Hip hop and Punk rock cultures, and the youth culture at large. They make clothes and accessories, but also manufacture skateboards that are collected like modern art. Supreme has released skateboard decks featuring the artworks of Rammellzee, Ryan McGinness, KAWS, Larry Clark, Jeff Koons, Richard Prince, Christopher Wool, Nate Lowman, Damien Hirst, and John Baldessari. They have also collaborated with other photographers, artists, and designers such as Marilyn Minter, Takashi Murakami, Daniel Johnston, Peter Saville (graphic designer), Futura 2000, Adam Kimmel, Bad Brains and H. R. Giger.
Unlike other clothing brands, who release their new collections all at once, Supreme releases a small number of items at a time, typically five to fifteen. This "drop" occurs online and in store once every week. This strategy maintains the aura of "hype" that the brand creates. Their shoes, clothing, and accessories create a big secondary market for supreme clothing, because items are produced to a very limited quantity and also because there are only ten stores worldwide.[9] Supreme has a line of collaborations with brands such as Nike, Air Jordan, Vans,[10] Clarks, The North Face,[11] Hanes, Playboy, Levi's, Timberland, Comme des Garçons, Stone Island, UNDERCOVER, White Castle as well as many more. Fashion photographer Terry Richardson has produced some of the most notable pieces which include photographs of Michael Jordan, Kermit the Frog,[12] Three Six Mafia, Lou Reed, Lady Gaga, Neil Young,[13] and Morrissey.
Supreme stocks its own clothing label as well as Vans, Nike SB, Spitfire, Thrasher and Girl Distribution Company.[14]
Notable celebrities who have worn Supreme clothing in public includes Tyler, The Creator, Kanye West, Chris Brown, Asap Rocky, Kylie Jenner, Cornelis Svenneke, Drake, Frank Ocean, Nas, Pharell Williams, John Mayer, Kid Cudi, Justin Bieber, Brandon Taylor, Jinx (Complex News), P. Diddy, and Morrissey.[15]
References
- ^ Chaplin, Julia (October 3, 1999). "PULSE: LAFAYETTE STREET; 'Kids' Welcome, Dress: Baggy". The New York Times. Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Jr. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
- ^ Grant, Nick; Deleon, Jian; Johnson, Noah (March 20, 2013). "50 Things You Didn't Know About Supreme". Complex (magazine). Complex Media. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
- ^ "50 Things You Didn't Know About Supreme - James Jebbia is British. He was born in the United States, but lived in England from age one to 19". Complex UK. Retrieved 2016-01-17.
- ^ "Supreme". Retrieved May 9, 2013.
- ^ "50 Things You Didn't Know About Supreme - Jebbia's design for the Supreme New York store was more open so skaters could come right in with their skateboards". Complex UK. Retrieved 2016-01-17.
- ^ Abrams, Micah (April 16, 2006). "Into L.A.'s Deli Land, Enter the Skaters". The New York Times. Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Jr. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
- ^ "Supreme". Retrieved September 29, 2012.
- ^ "50 Things You Didn't Know About Supreme - The Supreme logo is largely based on Barbara Kruger's propaganda art". Complex UK. Retrieved 2016-01-17.
- ^ "Supreme stores". www.supremenewyork.com. Retrieved 2015-07-22.
- ^ Bergyl, Skylar (March 18, 2015). "Supreme x Vans Spring/Summer 2015 Blends In (Get It?)". Four Pins. Four Pins. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
- ^ Bergyl, Skylar (April 20, 2015). "Supreme x The North Face Spring/Summer 2015". Four Pins. Four Pins. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
- ^ "Terry Richardson x Supreme x Kermit the Frog". February 29, 2008. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
- ^ Cardiner, Brock (October 13, 2014). "Supreme Fall/Winter 2014 Editorial by Terry Richardson for 'SENSE' Magazine". High Snobiety. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
- ^ Bahney, Anna (October 31, 2003). "Get 'Em While They're Cool: Footwear for the Few". The New York Times. Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Jr. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
- ^ "Gallery: Celebrities Wearing Supreme". Retrieved 2015-07-22.