NYC Licenses Police, Fire Marks to Supreme
NYC Tourism + Conventions granted Supreme a non-exclusive, multi-year license to use NYPD, FDNY, Sanitation and "Made in NY" trademarks on apparel.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Fashion
Live Poll
Should private brands be allowed to sell merchandise using NYC agency logos?
New York City's tourism marketing nonprofit licensed Supreme to use the NYPD, FDNY, Department of Sanitation and "Made in NY" trademarks on merchandise. The deal appeared in the brand's Fall/Winter 2026 collection, including a Sanitation hoodie and an FDNY cap.
Why it matters
The arrangement places official city insignia on a commercial streetwear line, raising questions about how municipal trademarks are licensed for retail fashion. It also brings city-branded clothing to a wider consumer market in New York City and beyond.
The license, executed in September, carries a $22,000 up-front fee plus a six percent cut of net profits, with the Sanitation hoodie priced at $188 and the FDNY cap at $58. Sales volume and total royalty income have not been disclosed.
The players
Supreme
Supreme is a New York streetwear brand known for its skate-influenced clothing and collaborations, and it is the licensee in this deal.
NYC Tourism + Conventions
NYC Tourism + Conventions is the nonprofit that manages marketing and tourism for New York City and issued the trademark license.
The details
The license was issued by NYC Tourism + Conventions and published in a City Record legal notice under Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration. It covers the NYPD, FDNY, Department of Sanitation and "Made in NY" marks, and the city registered the FDNY trademark in 2001; a federal court previously granted the city partial summary judgment over clothing bearing NYPD and FDNY shields in City of New York v. Blue Rage, Inc.
Timeline
December 12, 2001: The city registered FDNY as a trademark.
September 2026: NYC Tourism + Conventions executed the license with Supreme.
Fall/Winter 2026: Supreme released the collection featuring city-branded pieces.
2028: The license term ends unless extended.
2030: The extended end date if the option is exercised.
Culture Shift
The license follows the city's earlier court win in City of New York v. Blue Rage, Inc., where a federal court sided with the city against unlicensed clothing bearing NYPD and FDNY shields. Rather than only blocking such goods, the city is now monetizing its emblems through a sanctioned streetwear partnership.
New Yorkers and visitors can now buy officially licensed Sanitation and FDNY apparel, with the Sanitation hoodie priced at $188 and the FDNY cap at $58. The license runs through 2028, with an option to extend through 2030, so availability may change after that period.
The takeaway
Civic emblems carry commercial value, and cities can license them to earn revenue while controlling how their insignia appears on products. Readers buying city-branded apparel should check license terms and expiration dates before assuming long-term availability.
Further reading
Explore more Fashion coverage of how brands and cities collaborate on apparel.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Complex.
Live Poll
Should private brands be allowed to sell merchandise using NYC agency logos?
