Supreme is an American skateboarding lifestyle and streetwear brand founded in 1994 by James Jebbia in New York City, USA. The brand is celebrated worldwide for its bold designs, exclusive product drops, and strong cultural influence in the fashion world, especially among skate, hip-hop, and streetwear communities. Supreme’s product lineup includes clothing, shoes, accessories, and skateboards that often sell out quickly and trade at high prices in resale markets.
Originally an independent business rooted in skate culture, Supreme grew into a global cultural phenomenon with stores across major cities like New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Tokyo, Milan, and Shanghai.
Ownership Status of Supreme
As of 2025, Supreme is owned by EssilorLuxottica — a French-Italian multinational corporation best known for eyewear brands such as Ray-Ban and Oakley.
Supreme is no longer independently owned or controlled by its founder; instead, it operates as a subsidiary within EssilorLuxottica’s diverse portfolio of brands.
Ownership Timeline
| Year | Owner / Stakeholder | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | James Jebbia | Founded Supreme in New York City. |
| 2017 | The Carlyle Group + James Jebbia | Carlyle acquired a 50% stake for ~$500M. |
| 2020 | VF Corporation | VF (owner of Vans, The North Face, Timberland) acquired Supreme for ~$2.1B. |
| 2024 | EssilorLuxottica | Purchased the brand from VF for ~$1.5B. |
Note: The above values and deal dates are based on publicly reported acquisitions.
Key Owner Highlights
EssilorLuxottica (Current Owner)
- Type: Publicly traded multinational corporation headquartered in Paris, France and Agordo, Italy.
- Industry: Eyewear and optical products (e.g., Ray-Ban, Oakley) with an expanding portfolio into fashion.
- Acquisition of Supreme: Completed on October 2, 2024, EssilorLuxottica closed the deal to buy Supreme from VF Corporation for around $1.5 billion in cash.
- Strategic Positioning: This marks one of EssilorLuxottica’s first major moves into apparel and lifestyle brands, signaling diversification beyond eyewear.
Although Supreme now belongs to EssilorLuxottica, founder James Jebbia has remained involved in managing the brand’s day-to-day operations and preserving its unique identity even after the sale.
Recent Developments in Ownership
Since the sale in 2024, Supreme under EssilorLuxottica continues to explore international growth while maintaining its signature limited releases and cultural collaborations. The transition from VF — which struggled to align the brand with its broader apparel portfolio — to EssilorLuxottica reflects a strategic shift.
Despite the ownership changes, Supreme’s cultural allure and collectible appeal remain central to its marketing and consumer engagement.
FAQs
1. Who currently owns Supreme?
Supreme is currently owned by EssilorLuxottica, a global eyewear and fashion conglomerate.
2. Was Supreme always owned by EssilorLuxottica?
No. It was founded by James Jebbia in 1994, later partially owned by Carlyle Group, then acquired by VF Corporation in 2020 before being sold to EssilorLuxottica in 2024.
3. Is James Jebbia still involved?
Yes, Jebbia continues to be involved in managing Supreme’s operations and creative direction even after the sale.
4. Why did VF Corporation sell Supreme?
VF’s strategic review found limited synergies between Supreme’s business model and VF’s broader portfolio, leading to the sale at a lower valuation than its original purchase.
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