Tremaine Emory leaves Supreme after just two seasons

At this time, the reasons behind their departure are unknown. Both Emory and Denim Tears and Supreme have not responded to Complex’s requests for comment.

Tremaine Emory was named Supreme’s first creative director in February 2022. Recently, the brand launched the first pieces of its Fall/Winter 2023 line, the second full collection under Emory’s direction after Spring/Summer 2023.

During its first two seasons, Emory created varsity jackets with artwork by Cynthia Lu, durags crafted in collaboration with Coogi that recall the Australian brand’s iconic sweaters, which he dubbed a “love letter to the apple,” and a T-shirt with a photo of NBA rapper YoungBoy, an effective way to keep the younger generation interested in the brand.

In a recent interview with Just Smile magazine, Emory shared his perspective on industry validation versus community validation. “I would caution kids who worry about validation from these big conglomerates and media giants, because these conglomerates are banks. LVMH is a bank. Kering Group is a bank. Paramount is a bank. This is late-stage capitalism. These institutions will finance a designer, an artist, a band, a director, a writer or whatever to do something and get more money than they put in. That’s what it’s all about for them,” he shared. “If you’re looking for their validation because So-and-so appointed you creative director, you’re losing. In fact, you’ve already lost. But if you seek validation, first of all, in yourself and, secondly, in the community that cares about you and cares about you, you have the opportunity to live a life without regrets.”

Emory will continue to manifest her design perspective through her own brand, Denim Tears, which in recent years has made a mark on the fashion industry by chronicling the African diaspora through clothing. “For me, Denim Tears is kind of a Supreme for black people and anyone who wants to celebrate or commemorate what we’ve been through,” Emory told RSVP Gallery’s Najee Redd in a 2020 interview. “[It’s] using the T-shirts as billboards for awareness and expression.”

As for Supreme, it remains to be seen whether they will hire a new creative director to fill Emory’s position or take another direction.

On the other hand, adidas is fighting a new lawsuit in the legal battle against Thom Browne.