The ROOTS Is a Supreme Haven in China You've Never Heard Of
“The roots of Supreme are the roots of street culture.”
Although the Chinese government refuses to recognize hip-hop culture and rap music because they deem it anti-authoritarian, individuals like Zhijun Wang, the man famous for sneaker masks, have still found ways to profess their love for the culture. Another man who fits this mold is Hu Peng, better known in China by the nickname Hood P and owner of The ROOTS retail store.
Hood P opened The ROOTS last summer in Beijing to share his love for streetwear, which he developed after watching the 1984 dance film Breakin’ as a 5-year-old. When he discovered Supreme in 2006, he started amassing a collection, which he estimates to be worth about $1.5 million USD, through Chinese and Japanese online auction sites. A firm believer that Supreme lacks recognition in the Chinese streetwear community, Peng has taken it upon himself to represent, spread and promote the brand past just celebrities and tourists who know of it.
Although Peng isn’t sure whether his allegiance to Supreme will catch on for others, he named his shop The ROOTS so that it can be an anchor for China’s hip-hop and skater culture. “I know fashion can change, but the roots of a tree cannot change, and I believe the roots of Supreme are the roots of street culture, and I want this shop to be the root of street culture in Beijing.”
Check out the gallery above and rare Supreme pieces like the Kermit and KAWS skate decks and Rawlings baseball below. Learn more about Hood P from his interview with Racked, and check out the store’s IG here.
