Supreme and Off-White are two of the most popular brands in streetwear culture. Supreme boasts its unique blend of skate culture, punk, and high fashion, with bold graphics and collaborations being their trademarks. Meanwhile, Off-White focuses more on luxury streetwear with minimalistic designs and signature yellow diagonal stripes. Both brands have teamed up with high-profile brands and artists and have been influential in shaping the streetwear industry by setting new trends and design aesthetics. Despite targetting different audiences, Supreme and Off-White are cemented as streetwear heavyweights, and their success and influence are set to endure.
Streetwear Heavyweights: Supreme vs. Off-White
For years, Supreme and Off-White have been leading figureheads in streetwear culture, gaining global recognition and adoration from those who share a love for high-end streetwear. While each brand offers its unique characteristics, there are similarities that make them two of the most popular brands in the industry. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at both brands and compare and contrast their reign as streetwear heavyweights.
Background Information
Supreme, the New York-based skateboarding brand, was founded in 1994 by James Jebbia. With its iconic box logo, Supreme has become one of the most sought-after brands in the fashion industry, selling out within minutes of their weekly drops. On the other hand, Off-White was founded by Virgil Abloh in 2012, a close friend of Kanye West and former creative director of Louis Vuitton. Its signature yellow diagonal stripes have become synonymous with the brand.
Style and Aesthetic
Supreme is known for its unique blend of skate culture, punk, and high fashion. They’re often recognized for their bold graphics, collaborations with other brands, and their iconic box logo. From its early days, Supreme has always been heavily influenced by skate culture, which is evident in the design of their clothing. Off-White, on the other hand, is known for its luxury streetwear aesthetic, with a focus on architectural design and branding. The brand is known for its minimalist designs, highlighted by the signature Off-White stripe motif that features on most of their products.
Collaborations
Both Supreme and Off-White have teamed up with a multitude of high-profile brands and artists, resulting in some of the most iconic collaborations in streetwear history. Supreme has had successful collaborations with Nike, The North Face, and Louis Vuitton. On the other hand, Off-White has collaborated with brands such as Converse, Nike, and Jimmy Choo. Virgil Abloh’s position at Louis Vuitton has allowed for even more high-profile collaborations, including his LV x Supreme collaboration.
Pricing and Availability
Supreme has always been known for its limited drops and high resale value, with products often selling out within minutes of its release. They have also been notorious for the resale market, with their clothing being sold for many times the original retail price. Off-White, with a slightly more accessible price point, still maintains its exclusivity, with limited runs of unique designs. Despite the accessibility in pricing, Off-White’s limited release items also tend to be priced above the average streetwear line.
Influence on Streetwear Culture
Both Supreme and Off-White have been incredibly influential in streetwear culture. They have helped shape the industry by setting new trends, defining styles, and reinventing design aesthetics. Supreme’s iconic box logo was a game-changer in the industry, becoming a cultural phenomenon with significant cultural impact. Meanwhile, Off-White and Virgil Abloh have pushed the boundaries of streetwear design, creating visually striking pieces with rich designs, and cementing the brand in the world of luxury streetwear.
Final thoughts
While Supreme and Off-White offer different designs and target audiences, the similarities between the two brands cannot be overlooked. Both have become staples and icons of streetwear culture, defined by their unique aesthetics, collaborations, and exclusivity. They have helped shape the industry by creating some of the most noteworthy collaborations and designs, cementing their place in fashion history. With their continued success and influence, it’s clear that Supreme and Off-White will continue to reign as streetwear heavyweights for years to come.