Which company bought a 50% stake in Supreme before VF Corporation acquired the brand?

The Carlyle Group bought a 50 percent stake in Supreme before VF Corporation acquired the brand.

Carlyle made the investment in 2017, taking a substantial minority position while Supreme continued to operate as a distinct streetwear business. The deal gave Supreme additional capital and institutional backing during a period of rapid international growth.

The investment preceded VF Corporation’s acquisition of Supreme in 2020 for approximately $2.1 billion. That later transaction changed Supreme’s ownership again and made it part of VF’s broad apparel portfolio.

Carlyle is often incorrectly described as Supreme’s final owner. It was an earlier investor that held half of the company. VF Corporation became the acquiring company in 2020, making the two ownership events separate milestones in Supreme’s corporate history.