JAMES JEBBIA THE “SMALL BUSINESSMAN”

Seated in his SoHo office surrounded by abstract underground art, limited–edition sneakers and hundreds of design books, James Jebbia, owner of such influential brands and stores as Supreme, Stüssy and Union, downplays his role as tastemaker. “My life ain’t any different than the guy who works for me,” says the U.S.?born, England–raised New Yorker. “I’m a small businessman.” Maybe so, but his businesses have helped blow up the skate and streetwear markets here and abroad over the past decade, while his collaborations with Nike, Vans and countless graphic designers and artists have made the collabo a hallmark of the sneaker and skate cultures. His flagship Supreme store in SoHo—there are also three in Japan and one in Los Angeles—set the surly tone for skate shops nationwide, and visitors often complain of rude treatment from the clerks. But Jebbia doesn’t apologize.

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