Putting together a list of the best Supreme photo tees of all time is rather tricky considering the brand has been dropping new releases since the beginning of the craze in 2005.
However, unlike some of the best Supreme collaborations, which often fill out a large part of each season's collection, the brand has mostly stuck to just one photo tee release a year. This makes them some of the rarest and most coveted t-shirts from the New York-based brand's lineup, especially as collectors eagerly await to find out which celebrity will be next to feature as part of this once-a-year special.
From musical releases, like this Gucci Mane tee, to children's TV icons, like Kermit the Frog, getting a feature, the list of celebrities photographed and printed is varied, so you never really know what's coming next.
As Supreme's photo tees are such an iconic part of skateboarding history, just like some of the best skate shoes, we've rounded up our favourites using their designs, rarity, and their impact as collector pieces to inform our selection.
We've also answered a few of the most commonly asked questions surrounding Supreme tees to help you get your hands on some highly sought-after Supreme apparel. Before that though, here's our list of the best Supreme photo tees...
Best Supreme photo tees
- Supreme Rick Rubin Tee
- Supreme Raekwon Tee
- Supreme Gucci Mane Tee
- Supreme Neil Young Tee
- Supreme Kermit Tee
1. Supreme Rick Rubin Tee
Released as part of the AW21 collection, the Supreme Rick Rubin tee is one of the most recent drops on our list, but that doesn't stop it from being considered one of the best.
The portrait photo is of the legendary record producer Rick Rubin, co-founder of Def Jam Recordings alongside Russell Simmons, and perhaps best known for his work on classic albums with the likes of the Beastie Boys, Jay-Z, and Slayer.
The shirt displays Rubin sitting with his legs crossed whilst wearing, as you'll see with most photo tees, an original box-logo Supreme top as a link to the brand's history.
Ultimately, we're a big fan of this Supreme Rick Rubin tee because we feel it's a great example of what the brand's photo tees are all about - originality.
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2. Supreme Raekwon Tee
Rick Rubin may be one of the most recent, but this Supreme Raekwon tee was the first and is therefore considered by many to be one of the best.
Released in 2005, the shirt features an image shot by Kenneth Capello of Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon holding a ‘tickle-me’ Elmo whilst wearing the original box logo tee.
Accompanying him in the image is his bodyguard wearing a Supreme shirt and a New York Yankees baseball cap.
The Supreme Raekwon tee is also one of the rarest as Sesame Street's legal team filed a lawsuit shortly after its release, which resulted in the instant removal of the merchandise, so only a handful were ever released.
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3. Supreme Gucci Mane Tee
Never one to shy away from controversy, Supreme released this Gucci Mane tee in 2016 whilst the Atlanta rapper was under house arrest.
Although controversial, Gucci Mane was the centrepiece of news at that time, with the term “Free Guwop” frequently used in support of the artist. Most notably, fellow Zone 6 native 21 Savage released an entire EP under the title "Free Guwop" in reference to Gucci Mane's incarceration.
With so much hype surrounding the rapper at the time though, his photo tee unsurprisingly sold out in seconds, much like some of the best Jordan collabs, making it one of the most collectible Supreme items to this day.
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4. Supreme Neil Young Tee
The Supreme Neil Young tee stands out for numerous compelling reasons, but one aspect that truly sets it apart is Neil Young's status as one of the oldest celebrities ever featured on a photo tee by the brand.
At the age of 69 during the time of the tee's release, Neil Young's inclusion was a departure from Supreme's previous choices, and this is precisely what adds uniqueness to this photo tee.
In a candid interview with Supreme, Neil Young expressed his profound admiration for the younger generations, who are undeniably the brand's target audience. He acknowledged the intelligence and contributions of the youth of 2015, emphasising their role in shaping the future of the world.
As a result, the Supreme Neil Young tee carries a significant meaning and individuality, making it stand out among the brand's range of musician-based shirts.
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5. Supreme Kermit Tee
Selecting the best Supreme photo tee of all time proves to be a challenging task, considering the plethora of iconic shirts released over the years, with honorable mentions including Kate Moss, Dipset, and Mike Tyson.
However, the Supreme Kermit tee stands out as one of the finest due to its unparalleled originality. Instead of featuring a real-life celebrity, Supreme chose to capture the beloved children's television character, Kermit the Frog, for its 2008 release.
Terry Richardson skillfully shot the image, presenting Kermit wearing the classic box logo shirt, rendering it one of the most unmistakable photos in streetwear history.
It's an iconic shirt that undeniably takes centre stage when considering the best Supreme photo tees of all time, having also given rise to one of the brand's most remarkable accessories to date.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
A ton of questions usually pop up when searching for the best Supreme apparel and accessories, including their iconic photo tees. Don't worry though because we've answered some of the most commonly asked queries right here.
When does Supreme release its photo tees?
As touched on in the intro, Supreme typically releases just one photo tee a year since the now iconic range began back in 2005.
As to when Supreme drops take place, you can usually find new releases on Tuesdays in-store and Thursdays online when in season. Between seasons or during some holidays there tend to be no Supreme drops.
New items are usually released at 11am EST, or 4pm BST if you're from the UK. That said, we'd recommend signing up for Supreme's newsletter to keep up to date with the latest drops.
Where can you buy Supreme photo tees?
Almost every Supreme clothing drop occurs in Supreme stores first, then online a couple of days later.
Although this is the most direct method and allows you to secure Supreme items for their retail price, it's by no means the easiest.
Supreme drops are notorious for selling out fast due to hype around the brand, particularly its photo tees, so you'll have to act fast to get to the front of the queue in order to secure your shirt.
Alternatively, you can buy Supreme items from resellers. It's possible to do this directly through the reseller, or you can go through dedicated sites like StockX, which helps ensure the items you are purchasing are genuine through its authenticity process.
Does Supreme restock its photo tees?
On occasion, Supreme will restock items on its website, including photo tees. However, it rarely restocks its most popular products, which tend to sell out fast.
Supreme's FAQ section suggests frequently checking back in if an item you're looking for is not available at the time you were on the website.
Can you return Supreme photo tees?
According to the Terms and Conditions, Supreme accepts returns on items brought through the brand directly, which should include photo tees
You'll either receive store credit or a full refund if the items are returned in perfect, unworn, condition with the original tags.
You have 14 days from receipt of your order to request a return via the returns form that should arrive with your package.
Why are Supreme photo tees so expensive?
Supreme is undeniably one of the most coveted and hyped brands, leading to its clothing and accessories becoming highly sought-after and commanding high resale values.
The exclusivity of Supreme's releases contributes to their desirability and collectibility. Their limited availability makes them challenging to acquire, further fueling the demand.
In particular, Supreme photo tees are known to be rare, typically seeing only one release per year. This exclusivity elevates their value and makes them even more difficult to obtain, resulting in higher prices.
While Supreme photo tees may not be initially priced exorbitantly, their scarcity and popularity drive up their resale market value, often making them among the most expensive items in the Supreme lineup.