New documentary revisits NYC’s ’90s skateboarding golden age via the lens of Supreme

A new documentary, Empire Skate, revisits the skateboarding scene in ​’90s New York City, focusing on the rise of skate fashion brand Supreme.

Produced by ESPN as part of its 30 for 30 series, it’s directed by documentary filmmaker Josh Swade, and explores the rise of skate culture in NYC, beginning with its roots as an underground culture and sport in the ​’80s, before growing to develop its own style and aesthetic in the early ​’90s.

Grittier and more urban-rooted than their Southern California counterparts, the city’s skate scene began to come into its own, as brands including Zoo York and SkateNYC incorporated New York’s hip-hop and graffiti culture into their designs and output.

But the scene really exploded in the mid ​’90s, in the wake of Supreme’s founding in 1994 by James Jebbia. With its limited drops and unique customer service – staff were known to decline service to people they thought didn’t match the brand’s vibe – Supreme rapidly grew into a billion-dollar business, while the skate scene’s cultural impact extended far out of the five boroughs.

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Key skaters from the New York scene and beyond feature, including Alex Corporan, Steven Cales, Chris Keeffe, Jeff Pang, Mike Hernandez, Peter Bici, Ryan Hickey and Tony Hawk.

In a statement, Swade said: ​“Skate shops have always been sacred spaces for me – places of creativity, community and culture.

“When I moved to New York in the mid-’90s, Supreme wasn’t just a store, it was a magnet for a movement that reshaped downtown and radiated far beyond,” he continued.

“With Empire Skate, we wanted to honour that energy and tell the story of how a small skate shop helped fuel a global cultural ship

Having premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in June, Empire Skate is available to stream on ESPN+ (and on Disney+ and Hulu for Disney Bundle subscribers). Watch the trailer below.

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