Is this Week Too Expensive?

Supreme is Known for Higher Price Points: Is this Week Pushing it Too Far?

Jeffrey Holmes

May 15, 2019

            Headlined by collaborations with McDermott, Playboy, and GORE-TEX, Week 12 of Supreme Spring / Summer 2019 is a diverse drop, despite its small size.  With YouTubers like 8oone calling this a “brick week,”[1] the initial reception to seeing this collection has been negative overall, but the reason for this is not the items themselves, but the pricepoints at which they are being offered.  At the time of writing, retails have not been officially announced for these items, but the predictions are currently steep, with the McDermott Pool Cue being estimated between $400 and $600 and the 24k gold Front Keychain estimated at a minimum $500.[2]

            Regarding the McDermott collaboration, high end pool cues tend to sell for more than twice of what Supreme’s take on them is estimated to retail at.  Cues by brands like Predator Cues[3] and Balabushka Cues[4] cost more than $1000, and other cues by McDermott sell for considerably more than their collaboration with Supreme.[5]  Pool cues are generally handmade from a variety of woods using specialized equipment.[6]  Given that rare materials and craftsmanship from trained artisans is required to make a high-quality cue, it follows that a hefty price tag would be attached to these items.  Like with Supreme’s past collaborations with Fender and The North Face, their work with McDermott is a specialized item with an intended function.

Supreme x McDermott Pool Cue via Hypebeast

            The GORE-TEX Court Jacket is a similar case.  With imprints like The North Face and Arc'teryx using the material to create clothing for harsh weather conditions, GORE-TEX is a popular choice fabric for outdoor activities.  The material itself manages to be breathable yet waterproof at the same time, created by Bob Gore in 1969.[7]  Gore repeatedly stretched a material called polytetrafluoroethylene and discovered that it could consistently withstand a multiplicity of weather conditions.  Supreme’s implementation of the material results in durable gear with a long lifespan.

            Other pieces included in this week are the New York Painted Trucker Jacket and the Toy Uzi Hooded Sweatshirt.  The former presents a New York City skyline painting on the back, and is adorned with rhinestones.  The latter reiterates an idea Supreme has done in the past: turning their accessories into graphics.  The hoodie itself is a riff on the Toy Uzi Inflatable Pillow released earlier this season.

Supreme New York Painted Trucker Jacket via SupremeCommunity

            This week’s drop is an interesting one in how it leaves fans guessing.  There seems to be no certainty on retails and resale values at the moment, just apprehension over anticipated damage done to the community’s respective wallets.  Seeing items that range from pool gear to all-conditions jackets, Week 12 appears to have something for everyone, contrary to some fans labeling it a “brick week.”

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[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0id2_MxUC2Q

[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3ifU2dkgas; see above footnote as well

[3] https://www.ozonebilliards.com/product/predator-cues-special-edition-panthera-4-1?gdffi=f0d12ac43cd94e6f922172f923902212&gdfms=A53CC6F7F2D144ECA6C98A5A3D0A7DF2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxYDkg9Kd4gIVz4KzCh09nQEqEAQYASABEgIFdPD_BwE

[4] https://www.ozonebilliards.com/product/balabushka-cues-limited-edition-tribute-george-balabushka-leather-wrap

[5] https://www.billiards.com/cues/mcdermott-g1910-2017-cue-of-the-year-enhanced?utm_medium=pla&utm_source=google&sku_id=8488&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7Y7lwdWd4gIVD6_ICh1PnQJbEAYYBSABEgKGLfD_BwE

[6] https://www.pooldawg.com/article/pooldawg-library/how-pool-cues-are-made

[7] https://www.gore-tex.com/technology/history