Supreme founder James Jebbia has confirmed the longtime purveyor of ‘downtown cool’ has sold a stake in the company to The Carlyle Group, marking the first time a top-tier private equity firm has invested in streetwear. NEW YORK, United States — Supreme founder James Jebbia confirmed the skate-inflected label and longtime purveyor of ‘downtown cool’ has sold a stake in the company to private equity firm The Carlyle Group.