Supreme’s ascent from neighborhood cult favorite to auction star is a master class in brand marketing, based on creating hard-to-build desire. Launched in New York City in 1994, the iconic streetwear brand with a subversive attitude has attracted a following that ranges from downtown skaters to fashion's elite.
After a short-lived stint as a salesman for downtown Manhattan store Parachute and running a Stüssy branch as well as his own retail outlet, Union, British ex-pat James Jebbia opened Supreme, “the cool, cool shop … no big brands or anything.” The founder and director sold skateboards and sneakers, beanies, tees and hoodies while movies like Mean Streets and loud hip-hop played in the background, attracting a young downtown crowd of skateboarders, artists and entrepreneurs who found the store’s counterculture ethos appealing.
With success came brand collaborations big and small — all tightly controlled by Jebbia, who is renowned for unfailing business instincts — ensuring waiting lists and lines at new product launches. A 2012 partnership with Comme des Garçons brought Supreme avant-garde fashion followers with deeper pockets.
“I don’t think enough people take risks, and when you do, people respond — in music, in art, in fashion,” Jebbia told Vogue. He seemed to be taking a risk working with big brands. But although some fans accused him of selling out with Supreme’s Fall/Winter 2017 collaboration with Louis Vuitton, most did not, including the winning bidder for the Malle trunk at Christie’s.
A curated “Artist Series” of Supreme skate decks was inaugurated in 2001 when the then-not-so-famous street artist KAWS, aka Brian Donnelly, designed his Chum boards, a pair of which, signed, went for $32,000, four times their estimate, at the “Handbags X Hype” sale. The series now includes creations by Cindy Sherman, Nan Goldin, Damien Hirst, the Chapman Brothers and George Condo.
Find Supreme shirts, hoodies, jackets and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
$82Sale Price|25% Off
SUPREME The North Face metallic gold black logo 6 panel cap
By Supreme
Located in Hong Kong, NT
SUPREME The North Face metallic gold black logo 6 panel cap Reference: BSHW/A00137 Brand: Supreme Collection: The North Face Material: Nylon Color: Gold, Black Pattern: Solid Closure...
$295
Size: none; comparable to size 21 or M
Bollman Co. Ivory Boho Greenwich Floppy Hat with Ostrich Feather Band – M, 1970s
By Bollman Hat Company
Located in Tucson, AZ
Started in 1868, the Bollman Hat Company is America's oldest hat maker and still provides luxury millinery products for brands like Helen Kaminski. Made...
$76Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage PAUL STUART Beige Straw Fedora Hat
By Paul Stuart
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage PAUL STUART hat comes in a beige straw material featuring a fedora style and a beige ribbon trim. Very Good Pre-Owned Condition. Fabric tag removed. Marked: Size tag rem...
Lanvin by Castillo for Saks 5th Ave Beige Felted Fuzzy Turban Hat, 1960s
By Jeanne Lanvin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This lovely vintage turban hat is a Saks 5th Ave licensed reproduction of a Jeanne Lanvin design by Castillo. It is made of a soft and furry wool fe...
Christian Dior - Diorissimo Resort 2005 Logo Flowers Bucket Hat
By John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in Iba, PH
Diorissimo Resort 2005 Logo Flowers Bucket Hat. Pink and white bucket hat adorned with a logo flowers Diorissimo print from the resort 2005 collection by...
Prada Holliday & Brown Men’s F/W 2003 Runway Limited Edition Silk Fedora Hat
By Miuccia Prada, Prada
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare limited edition men’s PRADA / HOLLIDAY & BROWN navy blue and yellow silk fedora hat ! Prada paired with Holliday & Brown in the early 2000s, and used some of their iconic prints...
1970s Halston Ultra Suede Tan Brown Vintage 70s Fedora Hat
By Halston, Roy Halston Frowick
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic 1970s HALSTON ultra suede tan fedora hat ! Features the soft versatile ultra suede Halston was known for. Can easily be washed in the washing ...
Elsa Schiaperelli vintage hat, 1950s
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in New York, NY
Elsa Schiaperelli vintage hat with floral applique Period – 1940-1950’s Measurements – 22 x 19 cm Condition – very good ........Additional information...
$1,516
Size: One Size
1960s Halston Ivory White Brown Mongolian Lamb Fur Vintage 60s Hat and Muff Rare
By Roy Halston Frowick, Halston
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic and super rare early 60s HALSTON Mongolian lamb fur hat and matching muff ! Jackie O Kennedy wore a Halston hat and muff to the 1961 presidential inau...
1960's Jack McConnell Playful Floral Bouquet Hat
By Jack McConnell, Jack McConnell New York
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a lively 1960's floral bouquet hat. This wonderful hat features a nectarious amount of perfect plastic flowers, like a lush valley of fresh blossoms. The hat is composed of a...
Straw and Raffia Floral Bloom Hat
Located in New York, NY
Fun straw hat decorated with silly floral blooms of pale raffia loops which almost look like tufts of hair. 22.5" interior. height 3.5, brim 2.5" with 4...
Le Chapeau Raffia Tulle Beaded Sun Hat
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Light and refreshing, a well-coordinated accessory is the finishing touches to any great look. Made from a light tan raffia, this hat wonderfully merges a variety of textures with a ...
1950s Irina Roublon Silk Floral Trim Black Straw Hat W/ Velvet Ribbons
By Irina Roublon
Located in Gresham, OR
This superb couture 1950s Irina Roublon multi-color, silk floral trimmed hat is a hand-made beauty. Multiple layers of lacquered black veiling make up the body with a soft-peaked cro...
new SUPREME The North Face metallic gold black logo 6 panel cap
By Supreme
Located in Hong Kong, NT
new SUPREME The North Face metallic gold black logo 6 panel cap Reference: BSHW/A00137 Brand: Supreme Collection: The North Face Material: Nylon Color: Gold, Black Pattern: Solid Clo...
SUPREME box logo black wool short beak elasticated back cap hat M L
By Supreme
Located in Hong Kong, NT
SUPREME box logo black wool short beak elasticated back cap hat M L Reference: LNKO/A00852 Brand: Supreme Material: Wool Color: Black Extra Detai...