Whilst James Jebbia probably didn’t know it at the time, in 1994 Supreme was about to change his life. The small independent skate store has now become a beacon for streetwear around the world. A dedicated army of fans and a constant supply of fresh collaborations have helped make Supreme what it is today. With over a quarter of a century of history, Supreme is not a brand that is likely to be forgotten.
Here at KLEKT, we thought it was about time that we tried to round some of that history up. We’ll be taking a closer look at some of the best Supreme items to release over the past two decades. We’ll be covering everything from Supreme stickers, Supreme box logo tees, Supreme decks and Supreme collabs. As you can imagine, this was no easy task to put together. However, we think that you’ll agree with the items on this list.
Without further delay let’s take a look at some of the top Supreme items to release.
Disclaimer: this list isn’t in order!
Supreme Box Logo T-shirt (1994)
It’s hard to imagine what the landscape of streetwear would look like without the Supreme box logo T-shirt. In 1994, Supreme opened its doors. To commemorate, James Jebbia had a number of T-shirts made, one of which featured the brands logo. Jebbia probably had no idea at the time that this design would go on to be such a success.
Over the past 26 years, Supreme has issued a number of different versions of the box logo tee. However, the original is still the greatest. Collaborations with Louis Vuitton, BAPE, COMME des GARÇONS and many more have elevated the Supreme box logo tee into a level all on its own. There was no way that this wouldn’t be included on this list.
Supreme “Fuck Bush” Sticker (2005)
Supreme is no stranger to political statements. In 2005, George W. Bush was elected for a second term as President of the United States. With Americans being in an unjust war in Iraq, New York had a very anti-Bush sentiment to it. Recognising this, Supreme put the power in the hands of the people. Supreme printed and distributed thousands of “Fuck Bush” stickers throughout the city. The stickers had the desired effect, appearing everywhere throughout the Big Apple.
Supreme Kate Moss Photo T-shirt (2012)
In 2006, Supreme had teamed up with close friend Kaws to create a collaborative T-shirt. Back in 2001, Kaws had started to graffiti over adverts of Calvin Klein models throughout NYC, one of which was Kate Moss. Of course, Calvin Klein was less than pleased. That’s what makes this photo T-shirt even sweeter. Kate Moss worked with Supreme to create this eye-catching photo T-shirt.
Supreme x Stern Pinball Machine (2018)
Supreme is known for its ridiculous accessories, but this is definitely up there with the best of them. In 2018, Supreme unveiled a collaboration with Stern for a pinball machine. Stern is known for its expensive and custom made machines. This collab with Supreme was no different, featuring the brand’s box logo design, red and white colouring and unique details. It may have been one of the most expensive Supreme items at retail, but its still one of the best.
Supreme Brick (2016)
This is one of the greatest Supreme items of all time purely because of how ridiculous it is. The FW16 Supreme season saw Supreme create a brick with a box logo used on the outside. It became a cult item, making news around the world and even reselling for more than $1,000. There was no way this stupid Supreme item couldn’t make this list.
Supreme x Nike SB Dunk (2002)
As one of the most important skate shops in New York, Supreme was given the chance to work with Nike on an SB Dunk. With Nike SB trying to make its way into the world of skateboarding, it needed to collaborate with already successful stores.
Supreme took the elephant print of the Air Jordan 3 and applied it to two Nike SB Dunks; the first time that the elephant print had been used on anything other than a Jordan. With Dunks having a moment, it put Supreme onto the map for many sneakerheads. The rest, as they say, is history.
Supreme x Louis Vuitton Skate Trunk (2017)
Ok, hear us out. Whilst this is probably one of the most expensive Supreme items on the list, we do have reasoning behind it. After Supreme had been hit with a cease and desist order from Louis Vuitton in 2000 over its decks and box logo (more on that later) the 2017 collaboration made history.
Under Kim Jones, Louis Vuitton had become a force in streetwear. The collaboration between Louis Vuitton and Supreme marked a full-circle moment, something that rarely happens in fashion. This $75,000 trunk, complete with custom Louis Vuitton and Supreme branding, is one of the slickest items on this list.
Supreme Relief Box Logo (2011)
The 2011 Tsunami in Japan destroyed changed the country forever. As a second home to Supreme, the store wanted to make another relief effort T-shirt. The design featured a rising sun and offered a small helping hand to those who needed in. On the back, the T-shirt featured the words “United We Stand”; a testament to Supreme’s efforts to help the country when it needed it most.
Supreme Nunchucks (2010)
Ridiculous accessories are what Supreme specialise in. These nunchucks are a classic example of this. In 2010, Supreme created two sets of nunchucks which were promoted via a special video featuring a martial arts expert. We don’t know what the story is behind these, but they’re one of the most ridiculous Supreme items of all time.
Supreme x Damien Hirst Decks (2009)
Supreme has always worked closely with artists with names like Rammellzee, Futura and Jackson Pollock as a few classic examples. It’s 2009 with British contemporary artist, Damien Hirst, is one of its most memorable.
Supreme tapped Hirst upped to create five decks and a box logo T-shirt using his famous dot paintings. Five dot decks featuring various sized multicoloured dots were used. Of course, this caused a mass appeal from art fans and skaters alike. A full set recently sold online for over €8,000 more than 10 years later. Crazy!
Supreme 9/11 Box Logo T-shirt (2001)
The September the 11th terrorist attacks were one of the most horrific events in American history. New York and its residents were joined together in a bond of grief and pride over how its emergency services reacted. Supreme created the 9/11 box logo and donated all sales proceeds to charity. The box logo was a small effort from the brand but it resonated with residents around the city. Since then, the Supreme 9/11 box logo has been considered one of the most memorable items from the brand.
Supreme x Louisville Slugger Bat (2008)
All Supreme items have a story. However, fewer have a deeper meaning to the Supreme stores early years than the Louisville Slugger Bat. The story goes that Supreme would keep a baseball bat underneath the counter just in case things got out of hand. With Lafayette Street in Soho not as nice as it is now, trouble was always a prospect. That’s why this bat in Supreme’s colours was an instant hit with the OG collectors.
Supreme Mike Tyson Photo Tee (2007)
Every Supreme photo tee features a big name, but this one featuring Mike Tyson is hard to top. The promotion video featured Mike Tyson in a boxing ring wearing a Supreme box logo tee. A close up of the former world heavyweight champion and his tribal tattooed face with a box logo was an image hard to forget. Now, 13 years later, the Mike Tyson Supreme photo tee is still one of the most coveted pieces. It was a knockout T-shirt then and it’s a knockout T-shirt now.
Supreme Box Logo Hoodie (1994)
The Supreme box logo hoodie is one of the most coveted items in the brand’s history. The original Supreme box logo hoodie released in late 1994 to help the residents of New York combat the cold. Skate rats around the city were donning the design and soon the popularity of the hoodie became a knowing nod to the streetwear culture of New York.
Whilst collaborations with Louis Vuitton, COMME des GARÇONS and Swarovski have created an unprecedented level of hype, the original colours of the box logo and simple red and white design are hard to top. As the brands dominance in streetwear has grown, the box logo has truly taken over.
Supreme Box Logo Deck (2014)
In 2014, Supreme was turning 20 years old. After two decades, the brand had gone from an independent skate store to one of the most sought after brands on the planet. Sneakerheads, skaters and Supreme fans around the world had reason to celebrate. For the first time in the brand’s history, it was reissuing previous items. However, it also included a white skate deck which featured a small box logo towards the item. The box logo deck is one of the brands best pieces and also showcases the power of the box logo.
Supreme Travis Bickle T-shirt (1994)
Taking it back to 1994 now, we look at one of the original T-shirts released by the brand. When Supreme opened its doors, the Travis Bickle T-shirt was one of the first designs that the brand put out. Paying homage to Martin Scorcese’sTaxi Driver, the T-shirt featured a graphic print of the Robert De Niro as the character Travis Bickle. With Taxi Driver being set in New York, the T-shirt was a knowing nod to the most memorable characters, real or fake, in the city.
Supreme “The Sopranos” Box Logo (1999)
There is no denying that The Sopranos is one of the greatest television series of all time. The hit programme burst onto the scene in 1999 and changed what New York gangster dramas could really become.
Supreme created one of the simplest but most effect box logo designs off the back of The Sopranos. Replacing the “r” with a gun, Supreme’s Sopranos box logo T-shirt was easy to take for a regular edition. However, the T-shirt now sells for upwards of €1,000. We had to include this design, for obvious reasons.
Supreme “Louis Vuitton” Decks (2000)
In 2000, Supreme was still in its infancy. The brand had created box logo T-shirts that flipped popular brands. Burberry, Coca-Cola and Gucci would all receive this treatment. Of course, Supreme was small enough that it could put T-shirts out like this without really getting noticed. That was until it used Louis Vuitton’s monogram on a set of decks and a box logo T-shirt.
Louis Vuitton had got wind of what Supreme was doing and hit them with a cease and desist order. Supreme had already shipped out the items to its customers and asked them to return them. In truly rebellious skateboarding fashion, they refused to return them. The official 2017 collaboration was made all the sweeter due to this story.
Supreme Kermit the Frog Photo T-shirt (2008)
Just when you think Supreme has collaborated with unlikely brands, it pulls out pieces like this. In 2008, Supreme worked with Kermit the Frog to create this now iconic photo T-shirt. It was an instant hit and showed that Supreme was willing to delve deep into popular culture to create hit pieces. Seeing Kermit the Frog in a miniature box logo T-shirt is one image that many couldn’t get out of their heads. It’s easy to see why.
Supreme Box Logo Sticker (1994)
In 1994, Supreme began handing out box logo stickers with every purchase made. These stickers ended up on countless boards, subway stations and places around the city. Since then, Supreme’s stickers have been remixed, redesigned and reinterpreted by countless collaborators. Supreme stickers are often some of the brands most sought-after pieces. The army of Supreme sticker collectors often compare some of the rarer stickers, however, it is hard to beat the original.
Final Thoughts
We hope you enjoyed our list of the best Supreme items of all time. Of course, we could have made this list 100 pieces, but we feel that this was a perfect culmination of everything that represents Supreme’s journey. If you’re looking to cop some new Supreme, then head over to the KLEKT store today!
