This year has been one of the strangest in Supreme’s history. Having closed all its stores in March due to COVID-19, the brand has taken things completely online. Of course, that hasn’t stopped it from making it a huge success. Collaborations with the likes of The North Face, Lamborghini and Barbour have ensured that the Supreme machine keeps on rolling. However, arguably its boldest collaboration of the season so far comes in the form of the late London nightlife legend, Leigh Bowery.
Having made a name for himself as one of the most provocative performance artists in London during the 1980s, Leigh Bowery became a big name in the capital’s alternative club scene. Originally from Australia, Bowery used his body as a canvas, transforming himself into anything his imagination desired. This, in turn, brought about a huge following in London’s underground scene. According to Boy George, Bowery’s brilliance was based on the fact that:
“He liked to create chaos around him, and with Taboo (Bowery’s subversive short-lived party) he created a scene where there were no rules.”
Supreme has commissioned artwork by Jim Krewson, Fergus Greer and Michael Costiff for this collaboration across four pieces. Each artwork is a fitting tribute to Bowery’s individuality, combining bold colours with simple portraits. Of the four Supreme pieces, Krewson has applied a large airbrush graphic across a Longsleeve Shirt and Hooded Sweatshirt. Greer has opted for a simple portrait on a Hooded Sweatshirt, creating a statement piece. Finally, Costiff has designed a T-shirt which sums up Bowery’s style perfectly.
Supreme will also be donating a portion of the sales proceeds to Visual AIDS, a New York City-based organisation that helps artists living with HIV/AIDS. Though Bowery may have died in 1994 due to complications from AIDS, his legacy has lived on through friends, galleries and his dedicated fans.
Check out the images below and let us know what you’ll cop from Supreme this Thursday.
Image Source: Supreme
