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.
Supreme x rOtring 600 3-in-1 Multicolor pen &v mechanical pencil, SS 2023, Japan
By Supreme
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Supreme®/rOtring 600 3-in-1 Multicolor pen and mechanical pencil. Includes black and red ballpoint inks with 0.5 mm mechanical pencil. Additional blue refill included.
Stainless Steel
$4,696Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.4 in W 7.01 in D 3.75 in
Desk Set stripes enamel Fountain pen, Ballpoint pen and Tray.Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Giorgio Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular tray with rounded corners in 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent fired enamels with two-tone stripes on guilloche and hand engravings, cm. 9.5 x 18. For fountain pe...
Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Italian Lucite Pen Pencil Desk Holder By Designer Rede Guzzini
By Rede Guzzini
Located in New York, NY
An Italian Lucite pen, pencil, marker and small paper desk organizer/holder, Postmodern period or Modern style, by designer Rede Guzzini, circa 1980s, Italy. A great desk accessory a...
Lucite
Bucherer Mechanical Pencil Watch
By Bucherer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A rare 1930's Bucherer pencil watch. It was made by Bucherer for a few different firms including Rolex. This version is in a gold filed case I assume as it is not hallmarked. The watch works and has been keeping pretty good time. Dial is marked C. Bucherer Lucerne...
Gold Plate
$4,584
H 5.52 in W 0.4 in D 0.4 in
Fountain pen Ballpoint pen and pocket magnifying glass Set enamel Salimbeni
By Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Luxurious Desk Set Ballpoint pen, fountain pen and small pocket magnifying glass in 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent polychrome fire enamels on guilloche in an early 1900s A...
Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
$380Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.19 in W 2.25 in D 2.25 in
Postmodern Black Marble Desk Pen Pencil Holder, 1990s
Located in New York, NY
A '90s Postmodern black and brown polished marble stone desk pen pencil holder, circa 1990s. Dimensions: 2.5" square x 4.19" height. Matching...
Stone, Marble
$1,480 / set
H 1.19 in W 6.3 in D 1.97 in
Parker Duofold Marbleized Fountain Pen & Pencil Set 1930's Rare Collectors Set
Located in Reading, Berkshire
1930's Art Deco Parker Duofold Marbleised Fountain Pen & Pencil Set in Original Parker Box - rare collectors item. Fountain Pen Made in Canada 14k nib Geo S. Parker PAT SEP. 5-...
Gold Plate
$331Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 3.23 in W 4.06 in D 9.45 in
Ghidini 1961 Omini Pen and Cards Tray in Polished Brass
By Stefano Giovannoni, Ghidini 1961
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Made from brass the pen and card tray is suitable for storing pens, pencils and cards and adds a touch of whimsy to your home office.
Brass
$1,650 / set
H 9.25 in W 2.25 in D 1.25 in
Antique Brass Engraved Persian, Japanese & Egyptian Pen Case Ink Well Group Lot
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Dating from the early 18th century, this grouping of brass pen cases have their origins in Persia, Egypt and Japan respectively. Each case is intricately engraved with a patterned sc...
Brass
$734Sale Price / set|35% Off
H 0.79 in W 6.5 in D 3.15 in
Lady Schaeffer Fountain Pen With 14k Nib & Mechanical Pencil Boxed Set
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Lady Schaeffer Fountain Pen 14k Nib & Mechanical Pencil Pens Set With Supplied With An Original Plastic Schaeffer Presentation Box Mid-20th Century, Made in USA
Metal
Pencil Box Golfer in White Gold
Located in Paris, FR
Pencil box golfer in polished solid brass in white bronzed finish. Base in solid brass in gold finish.
Gold Plate, Brass
Montblanc fountain pen holder.
By Montblanc
Located in Lugo, IT
Montblanc fountain pen holder. With refill. Good condition. Thank you.
Plastic
$650
H 5.75 in W 4 in D 2 in
Mid-Century Walnut Pencil or Pen Holder by Sergio Dello Strologo for Xilarte
By Sergio Dello Strologo, Xilarte
Located in Austin, TX
A highly sculptural Mid-Century pen or pencil holder and temper by Sergio Dello Strologo for Xilarte, Milano, Italy. Crafted of finely figured, turned walnut. The 12 slender, cylind...
Wood, Walnut