This past Tuesday, Tremaine Emory left Supreme as creative director, sparking speculation. Some thought he left for his streetwear brand, Denim Tears, while another claimed he was dismissed.
Business of Fashion‘s recent report provides a new angle. Emory’s resignation letter, seen by BoF, alleges “systematic racism” at Supreme. He claimed poor communication and lack of transparency about a scrapped collaboration with artist Arthur Jafa.
Following BoF’s report, Emory posted Instagram messages showing talks with Supreme’s upper management. They discussed a joint statement about his departure. Emory felt unsupported due to omitting systemic racism from the statement.
Supreme responded with its own statement to BoF, disagreeing with Emory. They denied mishandling the Arthur Jafa project and questioned Emory’s portrayal. They expressed disappointment about the outcome and highlighted Emory’s 2022 arrival, the first major signing after VF Corp’s 2020 acquisition.
Emory’s association with Supreme was short-lived, ending amid controversy. His departure highlights ongoing challenges within the streetwear giant. This incident emphasizes the importance of clear communication and addressing diversity concerns in corporate environments. As the fashion industry continues to evolve, fostering inclusive and open dialogues remains vital.
