Supreme was primarily created to serve skateboarding when its first store opened in 1994.
James Jebbia founded Supreme as a skate shop on Lafayette Street in Manhattan. The store’s layout was designed with enough open space for skaters to bring their boards inside, reflecting the brand’s roots in New York’s skate scene.
Although Supreme later became a global fashion label, skateboarding remained central to its identity. Its products have included skate decks, footwear, apparel, and accessories, alongside collaborations with artists and established companies.
Supreme is sometimes described only as a luxury or fashion brand because of its resale prices and collaborations. Historically, however, its starting point was a specialized skate shop rather than a conventional luxury fashion house.