Supreme has an owner few would have predicted: EssilorLuxottica, the Italian eyewear conglomerate behind Ray-Ban, Oakley, Oliver Peoples, and Persol. The deal, announced in July 2024 and completed October 1, 2024, saw EssilorLuxottica pay $1.5 billion in cash to acquire the streetwear brand from VF Corporation.
For VF Corp, the sale represented a significant loss. VF had bought Supreme for $2.1 billion in an all-cash deal back in November 2020 — meaning the $1.5 billion sale price was roughly 30% below what VF originally paid, a rare public admission of a major misjudged acquisition in the fashion and apparel world.
Quick Facts
| Brand | Supreme |
|---|---|
| Current Owner | EssilorLuxottica |
| Acquisition Price | $1.5 billion |
| Deal Completed | October 1, 2024 |
| Previous Owner | VF Corporation (2020-2024) |
| VF’s Original Purchase Price (2020) | $2.1 billion |
Ownership History
| Year | Development |
|---|---|
| 1994 | Supreme founded by James Jebbia in New York City |
| 2017 | The Carlyle Group takes a significant minority stake in Supreme, valuing it at roughly $1 billion |
| 2020 | VF Corporation acquires Supreme in an all-cash deal worth $2.1 billion |
| 2024 | VF Corp, reportedly working with Goldman Sachs to explore a sale, agrees to sell Supreme to EssilorLuxottica for $1.5 billion; deal completes October 1 |
| 2026 | Supreme operates under EssilorLuxottica’s ownership, joining a portfolio otherwise built almost entirely around eyewear brands |
Key Ownership Highlights
- EssilorLuxottica’s acquisition of a streetwear brand is a notable departure from its core eyewear business, suggesting the company sees value in Supreme’s cultural cachet and licensing potential beyond apparel alone.
- VF Corp’s roughly $600 million loss on the sale (paying $2.1B, selling for $1.5B) stands as one of the more expensive brand-acquisition missteps in recent fashion industry history.
- Supreme’s ownership has now changed hands twice in under four years, a fast pace for a brand whose cultural value depends heavily on scarcity and exclusivity — themes that can be difficult to preserve through repeated corporate ownership changes.
FAQ
Who owns Supreme?
EssilorLuxottica, the eyewear company behind Ray-Ban and Oakley, has owned Supreme since completing its $1.5 billion acquisition from VF Corporation on October 1, 2024.
How much did VF Corporation lose selling Supreme?
VF paid $2.1 billion for Supreme in 2020 and sold it for $1.5 billion in 2024 — a loss of roughly $600 million, about 30% below the original purchase price.