Supreme FW25 Photo Tee with Playboi Carti highlights streetwear culture, iconic figures, and the evolution of the cult classic series
Supreme FW25 Streetwear Drop: Playboi Carti in the Spotlight
From Greek church mosaics to Warhol’s Marilyns, Western visual culture thrives on icons—images that shape our dreams, guide our choices, and define modern taste. In streetwear, few items carry that level of cultural weight. For fans, the Supreme Photo Tee is the most coveted piece and ultimate trophy. And for FW25, it features none other than Playboi Carti.
View this post on Instagram
For its FW25 Photo Tee, Supreme picked hiphop superstar Playboi Carti
The Supreme Photo Tee: A Cult Classic Since 2005
Quick rewind: the Supreme Photo Tee is a house staple. Each year, they pick a public figure from sports, music, or pop culture, photograph them wearing a box Logo tee, and print the portrait. While the concept is simple, the result has become a cult classic in the streetwear community.
This Supreme series began in 2005 with an unforgettable shot of Wu-Tang Clan’s Raekwon. Since then, it has encompassed every facet of mainstream culture while adhering to one fundamental rule: iconicity. In a constant feedback loop between the brand’s community and the wider world of modern icons, the Supreme Photo Tee became an icon in its own right.
Supreme’s Cultural Collage: Music, Pop, and Streetwear Icons
Throughout its history, Supreme has tapped into rock by collaborating with musicians like Lou Reed (2009), Shane MacGowan (2013), Neil Young (2014), and Morrissey (2016). The brand has also celebrated hip-hop with Tyler, the Creator (2024), Three 6 Mafia (2012), André 3000 (2022), and Gucci Mane (2016). Additionally, it has incorporated pop imagery through figures such as Kate Moss (2012), Mike Tyson (2007), and even Kermit the Frog (2008)—yes, the one from The Muppets.
View this post on Instagram
Kermit the Frog’s 2008 Supreme Collab Captured by Terry Richardson
This diverse array of testimonials highlights a core element of Supreme’s creative strategy: the blending and reworking of different cultural domains into an ironic, rebellious vision of what is considered cool. Back in its Lafayette Street days, when it was still just a skate shop, Supreme was already collaging cultural touchpoints—pairing Muhammad Ali fights with scenes from Taxi Driver. At first, these juxtapositions may have felt chaotic, but over time, they revealed a deliberate method behind them. Supreme became a sharp-eyed curator, navigating the flood of images that shape daily life and transforming scattered symbols, aesthetics, and meanings into a shared code that its community could use to express identity.
View this post on Instagram
Original Supreme store in Lafayette Streets, where the brand was already blending differnt cultural touchpoints back in the days
FW25 Collection Highlights: The Latest Streetwear References
The Supreme FW25 collection makes this clear once again, showcasing a unique blend of styles where football tracksuits pair with baseball-inspired jerseys, Wu-Tang hoodies coexist with Mickey Mouse varsity jackets, and beaded cardigans are integrated into the line-up. There isn’t a strict formula; it’s just a mix of references that are reinterpreted by a community and transformed into a distinct style.
By doing so, Supreme maintains a constant dialogue with contemporary culture, ensuring it remains relevant and reflects the daily experiences of its audience, comprising many devoted followers. The brand effortlessly integrates itself across diverse visual domains, allowing each customer to gravitate toward what resonates most with them. Within this context, the Supreme Photo Tee stands as the ultimate reworking of iconicity: a prominent figure, deeply admired by the community, becomes both a symbol and an endorser of the brand.
Why Playboi Carti Is the Perfect Choice for the Supreme FW25 Tee
And who better than Playboi Carti this year? The Atlanta rapper shook the scene at the start of 2025 with his long-awaited new album, five years after the cult classic Whole Lotta Red. The release reinforced his dominance in the mumble rap/trap sphere and cemented his reputation as a hip-hop innovator and trendsetter Supreme couldn’t overlook.
Framing Culture: How the Supreme Photo Tee Turns Icons into Streetwear
Ultimately, the Supreme Photo Tee is less about fabric and more about framing culture, turning icons into wearable statements. With Playboi Carti fronting the 2025 edition, the brand proves once again that it knows how to keep streetwear’s pulse beating in sync with the zeitgeist.
Edoardo Passacantando
Editor, Milano