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.
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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...
$1,398
Chanel hat Fall 2006
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Ivory and black cotton and lace hat. Size 57. 2006 Fall-Winter Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Condition: Very good condition D...
$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...
Suzanne Couture Millinery Wide Brim Straw Hat
By Suzanne Couture Millinery
Located in Sharon, CT
A Suzanne Couture shear wide brim straw hat with a black round silk cap. Silk ' feathers' encircle the top and bottom of the hat, and topped with a straw bow. Two tortoise shell c...
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...
Hermès New Egee Summer Hat
By Hermès
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hermès hat in Panama Brisa with fringed brim, "Rainbow" band and bow detail. Brushed palladium plated Clou de Selle detail.Size 58. Comes with original tag and shopping bag ( slightl...
Maison Michel Straw Hat with Classic Brisa Weave
By Maison Michel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Maison Michel - (Made in Italy) Straw hat with a classic Brisa weave, head circumference decorated with a tie-and-dye ribbon. S size indicated. Additional information: Condition: Ve...
Rare Schiaparelli Haute Couture Hat Fall 22 Collection by Daniel Roseberry
By Schiaparelli
Located in KRAKÓW, PL
Schiaparelli Haute Couture Fall’22 Extremely Rare! Only one were produced per continent! Really special breathtaking piece. “All of us who work in fashion know that much of the ...
PRADA Spring / Summer 2005 Hand beaded decorative Bob Hat / Sun Hat
By Miuccia Prada, Prada
Located in Sheffield, GB
PRADA Spring / Summer 2005 Hand beaded decirative Bob Hat / Sun Hat beanie Size; ONE SIZE - Regular Measurements are provided in inches (‘’) Circumference; 21.5” Centre top to hem e...
1960's Jack McConnell Playful Floral Bouquet Hat
By Jack McConnell New York, Jack McConnell
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...
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...
Marni Beige Flower Petal Hat S/S 2008
By Marni
Located in Boca Raton, FL
As a more recent fashion brand, Marni experiments with textiles, and prints in order to create kitschy, and feminine styles. Hailing from Italy, founding designer Consuelo Castiglioni has made use of vivid color-blocking, and unpredictable forms, having just recently stepped down from her position as designer. Of Castiglioni Fashionista notes that “she’s a woman who designed clothes women [want] to wear.” Representative of this playfulness with textures, and textiles, this Marni hat...
Jean Patou raffia beret
By Jean Patou
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
JEAN PATOU - Raffia beret from the 1950s. Condition: Very good condition Measurements: Circumference: 52 cm (20.47") - Height: approximately 8 cm (3.15") SKU:CHP103
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...