Tremaine Emory Explains Decision to Leave Supreme
Citing “systematic racism” as one of the reasons, as seen by BoF in a resignation letter.
Tremaine Emory has officially left his role as Creative Director of Supreme, with the brand’s Fall/Winter 2023 collection set to be the designer’s final season with the brand, as confirmed by the Business of Fashion.
Emory is exiting the brand after a year and a half as its creative director as a result of allegations that “systematic racism was at play within the structure of Supreme,” according to a letter seen by the publication. A Supreme representative has also confirmed Emory’s departure.
Within the resignation letter seen by BoF, Emory cited senior management’s “inability to communicate” with him about the “cancellation” of a collaboration with major Black American artist Arthur Jafa. The designer also revealed that the team were unable to offer “full visibility of the reasons behind it,” stating, “This caused me a great amount of distress as well as the belief that systematic racism was at play within the structure of Supreme.”
In an official statement shared by Supreme to BoF, the company responds, “While we take these concerns seriously, we strongly disagree with Tremaine’s characterisation of our company and the handling of the Arthur Jafa project, which has not been cancelled. This was the first time in 30 years [that] the company brought in a creative director. We are disappointed it did not work out with Tremaine and wish him the best of luck going forward.”
The designer has since shared receipts on Instagram, posting screenshots of conversations with various members of the Supreme team. Take a look below.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Speaking about the brand’s statement to BoF, Emory said, “Supreme’s statement in the @bof article is a lie to hide the systemic racism that lies deep within Supreme and almost all white-owned corporations. I wanted to work with supreme to change these things and instead I told I was racially charged, emotional, and using the wrong forum by bring up systemic racism in a meeting.”
Emory was first appointed as the brand’s CD in February 2022, with his first collection debuting during Spring/Summer 2023. In just two seasons with the brand, Emory went on to collaborate with the likes of NBA YoungBoy, Cactus Plant Flea Market and Coogi, alongside working with Stussy, Kim Jones and Dior for his own brand, Denim Tears.
In other news, ERL teases a collaboration with Levi’s.
