Out of the many words one can use to describe Supreme's collaborations, unexpected is one of them. From its elusive partnership with Louis Vuitton in 2017 to its collection of t-shirts made with New York graffiti artist Futura, anything goes for the American skateboarding brand when it comes to choosing a creative counterpart. And in keeping with that same spirit of unexpectedness, the brand has just announced their latest venture with legendary photographer Nan Goldin.
Goldin is famous for her photographs that brilliantly capture the rebellious spirit and characters of Bohemian New York City in the 1970s and 80s, which have influenced the fields of photography and art thanks to their ability to express nuances of human sexuality and gender, while simultaneously appealing to more universal themes of loss, love, and life.
"I did it for the children," she told British Vogue. "I’m looking forward to seeing teenagers skating on my images and wearing them. To my mind, people have become so conservative, especially the millennials— it's like the 1960s never happened—so I like the idea of them being exposed to my real world."
Supreme also feels the same way, and also recognize the activist component of her work. “It comes from an era where the subjects she documented were taboo by society’s standards," the brand expressed in a statement. "To do this project with Nan Goldin is to celebrate the diversity her work represents and expose young people to it.” A much-needed celebration, indeed.
Nan Goldin x Supreme is available in stores and online March 29.
