Who Owns Supreme?
Supreme is owned by EssilorLuxottica, an Italian eyewear company that acquired Supreme from VF Corporation in 2024. VF Corporation had originally acquired Supreme in 2020 for $2.1 billion. Supreme operates as a premium streetwear brand while maintaining its distinctive culture and limited-release business model.
Parent Company
EssilorLuxottica
Acquired
2024
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
New York City, New York, USA
Who Owns Supreme?
- Parent Company: EssilorLuxottica
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 2024
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: Borsa Italiana (BIT): EL
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Supreme | EssilorLuxottica | Wholly owned |
History of Supreme
- Founded: 1994
- Founders: James Jebbia
- Acquired by EssilorLuxottica: 2024
Supreme was founded in 1994 by James Jebbia in New York City, initially as a skateboarding shop in downtown Manhattan. The store sold clothing and accessories that catered to the New York skateboarding scene, with products designed by local skaters and artists.
Throughout the late 1990s and 2000s, Supreme evolved from a local skate shop into a global streetwear phenomenon, known for its iconic red box logo and limited-edition product drops. The brand's business model of scarcity and exclusivity created intense demand among consumers and established Supreme as a cultural icon in youth fashion and streetwear.
The 2010s saw Supreme's influence expand beyond skateboarding into mainstream fashion and luxury markets, with collaborations with high-end designers and brands. The brand's unique approach to retail and marketing, including weekly drops and limited quantities, became a model for other streetwear brands.
In 2020, VF Corporation acquired Supreme for $2.1 billion, bringing the brand under corporate ownership while maintaining its distinctive culture. In 2024, EssilorLuxottica acquired Supreme from VF Corporation, marking another ownership transition while preserving the brand's premium positioning and cultural significance.
About EssilorLuxottica
EssilorLuxottica operates as a vertically integrated eyewear company with a focus on luxury goods and optical technology. The company's business model emphasizes vertical integration from design and manufacturing to distribution and retail, allowing for quality control and brand management across the entire value chain.
The company's operations include:
- **Luxury Eyewear:** Ray-Ban, Oakley, Persol, and luxury brand licenses
- **Optical Technology:** Prescription lenses and optical equipment
- **Streetwear:** Supreme (acquired 2024)
- **Global Retail:** Flagship stores and optical retail partnerships
- **Manufacturing:** Global production facilities and quality control
- **Licensing:** Eyewear licensing for major fashion houses
EssilorLuxottica's portfolio strategy allows it to serve multiple segments of the eyewear market, from mass-market optical products to luxury fashion eyewear and streetwear categories.
- Founded: 2018
- Headquarters: Milan, Italy
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: Borsa Italiana (BIT): EL
Where Is Supreme Made / Based?
- Headquarters: New York City, New York, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Italy, Global manufacturing partners, International production facilities
Supreme Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Strong brand recognition in streetwear and youth culture
- +Access to EssilorLuxottica's global distribution and retail network
- +Premium positioning with high-profit margins
- +Cultural influence and fashion credibility
- +Limited-edition business model creating artificial scarcity
Considerations
- -Dependence on youth culture trends and fashion cycles
- -Competition from other streetwear and luxury brands
- -Need to balance exclusivity with growth opportunities
- -Manufacturing complexity across global production facilities
- -Market challenges in highly competitive fashion industry
Frequently Asked Questions About Supreme
Where to Buy
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Supreme on AmazonCompetitors to Supreme
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kering | United Kingdom | 1992 | Mass Market | Global | All Genders | |
| Kering | France | 1919 | Mass Market | Europe | All Genders | |
| Kering | Italy | 1966 | Mass Market | Europe | All Genders | |
| Kering | Italy | 1921 | Mass Market | Europe | All Genders | |
| Kering | France | 1961 | Mass Market | Europe | All Genders | |
| Tods Group | Italy | 1935 | Mass Market | Europe | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
Alexander McQueen
Owned by Kering
British luxury fashion house known for haute couture, ready-to-wear, and accessories, recognized for dramatic design, craftsmanship, and theatrical presentations.
Balenciaga
Owned by Kering
Spanish luxury fashion house known for haute couture, ready-to-wear, and accessories, recognized for innovative design and architectural silhouettes.
Bottega Veneta
Owned by Kering
Italian luxury fashion house known for leather goods, ready-to-wear, and accessories, recognized for its understated elegance and exceptional craftsmanship.
Gucci
Owned by Kering
Italian luxury fashion house known for high-end clothing, handbags, shoes, and accessories, recognized for its iconic GG monogram and distinctive design aesthetic.
Saint Laurent
Owned by Kering
French luxury fashion house known for haute couture, ready-to-wear, and accessories, recognized for its elegant design aesthetic and iconic YSL monogram.
Schiaparelli
Owned by Unknown Company
Italian luxury fashion house specializing in haute couture and ready-to-wear clothing, revived in 2012 and owned by Diego Della Valle, chairman of Tod's Group.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Supreme competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
EssilorLuxottica Stock Information
Jobs at EssilorLuxottica
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