 | |
 A pair of Supra Skytop shoes | |
| Industry | Footwear |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2006 |
| Founder | Angel Cabada |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Skate shoes |
Supra was an American skate shoe brand founded in California by Angel Cabada in partnership with professional skateboarders. Korean fashion retailer F&F acquired the global trademark of Supra in October 2020.
Supra was launched in 2006, [1] by Angel Cabada in partnership with professional skateboarders Jim Greco, Erik Ellington, Tom Penny, Chad Muska, and Dennis Martin. Muska has described the founding of the company as an "underground idea, shared between five people, that became a crazy explosion". [2] The brand released a coffee table book in December 2012 that documents its history; in an interview for the book's promotion, Ellington stated "It's amazing to see something be so successful that easily could've gone the other way. I feel blessed, honored and I'm humbled. It's something I'm really proud to be a part of." In addition to serving as a catalog of the brand's products, the book also features the brand's team riders and collaborations, including those with artists such as Jay-Z. [3]
On January 31, 2013, Video Director Dennis Martin [4] created a promotional video [5] for Greco's second signature shoe, "The Hammer"; [6] Greco's first signature model was named "The Soprano". [7] Greco explained, in relation to the "Hammer", "I wanted to make a super simple-looking shoe. There's a million shoes out there that are simple, but I really wanted that fusion of vulcanized and cup sole because I like the feel of the vulc, but I like the impact absorbing features of the cup sole". The shoe's design was promoted as "a high performance, lightweight, low-top skate shoe. The upper has a short eye stay, a long vamp, and minimal branding". [6]
Supra Footwear was purchased by K-Swiss Global Brands, a subsidiary of E-Land Group, in June 2015. [8] In 2018, Steve Harden, former executive leader with Adidas and Oakley, was recruited to relaunch and restructure the Global Supra and KR3W brands. In May 2019, Xtep disclosed that it was acquiring 100% of the outstanding shares of E-Land Footwear USA Holdings Inc. [9] [10] As of October 2020, F&F acquired Supra Footwear and relaunched the brand in South Korea in January 2021.[ citation needed ]
The brand has released signature model shoes from team riders, such as Muska, Ellington, Jim Greco, Tom Penny, and Stevie Williams. A collaboration occurred between producer and DJ Steve Aoki and Supra for Muska's signature model shoe. [2] [11] Williams released a collaboration with hip hop artist and entrepreneur Lil Wayne in December 2012, promoted as a "synthesis of skateboarding and hip hop". [12]
Converse is an American lifestyle brand that markets, distributes, and licenses footwear, apparel, and accessories. Founded by Marquis Mills Converse in 1908 as the Converse Rubber Shoe Company in Malden, Massachusetts, it has been acquired by several companies before becoming a subsidiary of Nike, Inc. in 2003.
Circa is a skateboard footwear and apparel company founded in 1999 that is based in San Clemente, California. The brand was started by Chad Muska and Jamie Thomas. Circa's designs include a zip pocket in the tongue of some shoes. It is distributed in Europe by Option Distribution.
Sole Technology, Inc. is an American footwear company, specializing in skate shoe production and distribution. The company is owned and run by Pierre André Senizergues, a former professional freestyle skateboarder. The company's headquarters are in Lake Forest, California, United States.
Etnies is a footwear brand based in Lake Forest, California, United States, and is owned by Sole Technology, Inc. The company sponsors professional skateboarders and BMX riders, LAB more and releases signature shoe models.
Skate shoes or skateboard shoes are a type of footwear specifically designed and manufactured for use in skateboarding. While numerous non-skaters choose to wear skate shoes as they are popular in fashion, the design of the skate shoe includes many features designed especially for use in skateboarding, including a vulcanized rubber or polyurethane sole with minimal tread pattern or no pattern, a composition leather or suede upper, and reinforced stitching to extend the life of the upper material. The most important aspect of skate shoes is that they have flat soles which allow the skater to have better board control.
Andrew Reynolds is an American professional skateboarder known for co-founding Baker Skateboards in 2000 with artist Jay Strickland. He is now Baker Skateboard's sole owner. Reynolds established Bakerboys Distribution with Erik Ellington and Jim Greco in 2007. Bakerboys Distribution provides distribution for closely related in-house skateboard companies such as Deathwish Skateboards and Shake Junt. He is also the head of design at Altamont Apparel. Reynolds primarily skates street. He has been called one of the most influential skaters of all time.
Chad Muska is an American professional skateboarder, musician and entrepreneur. In November 2012, Skin Phillips, editor-in-chief of Transworld Skateboarding, described Muska as "one of the most marketable pros skateboarding has ever seen."
K-Swiss, Inc. is an American athletic shoe brand based in Downtown Los Angeles. It was founded in 1966 and is currently owned by Chinese sports equipment manufacturing company Xtep.
Deluxe Distribution is an Ermico Enterprises, Inc-owned subsidiary founded in 1986 with limited partner Brian Ware in San Francisco. Deluxe was formed to distribute the Beware Record label, and other small record labels popular with skateboarders, along with Thunder Trucks and Supercush Bushings. Deluxe distributes six skateboard brands and owns DLXSF, a retail outlet.
Jamie Thomas is an American professional skateboarder and skateboard industry entrepreneur. Thomas is the owner and founder of Zero Skateboards and Fallen Footwear, until he announced its closure in January 2017. Thomas' nickname in the skateboard industry is "The Chief".
Nike Skateboarding, primarily known as Nike SB, is the Nike brand for its line of shoes, clothing, and equipment for skateboarding. Nike Skateboarding won the 2020 Webby People’s Voice Award for Best Home/Welcome Page in the category Web.
Elissa Steamer is an American professional skateboarder.
Baker Skateboards is an American skateboarding company founded in 2000 by professional skateboarder Andrew Reynolds. The company's main products are skateboard decks, soft goods, accessories, and wheels.
Stevie Williams is a professional skateboarder who was included in the twenty-seventh position of the "30 Most Influential Skaters of All Time" list that was compiled by Transworld Skateboarding in late 2011.
Leo Romero is a professional skateboarder whose early skateboarding influences included Heath Kirchart, Jamie Thomas and Andrew Reynolds.
Jim Greco is an American professional skateboarder.
Matt Mumford is an Australian professional skateboarder.
DVS Shoes is an American footwear and clothing company that specialises in products for skateboarding, moto, and snowboarding. The company defines itself as "... driven from the pursuit of building product that embodies the sports the company athletes breathe every day. With roots deeply embedded in skate, the company has the platform to develop truly technological products that bring the riders personalities to life."
Erik Ellington is an American professional skateboarder.
