September 2008 $3.50
Supreme Family Celebrates 60 Years
cc oo ll ll ee cc tt ii oo nn www.coppley.com www.coppley.com
Table of Contents
Supreme Service. . . . . . . . . . . The Faces of Supreme. . . . . . The Biedermann Line. . . . . . . The History of Supreme . . . .
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60th Anniversary
Handing Over the Reigns. . . 10 New Beginnings . . . . . . . . . . . 11 The Lion Reigns Supreme. . 12 Family Man. . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
www.smwl.com Supreme Mens Wear: 403.266.4417 Corner of 4th Ave. & 3rd St. SW Writer: Published by: Business in Calgary, 1025, 101 – 6 Ave. SW, Calgary, AB, T2P 3P4
Publisher: Tel: 403.264.3270 Fax: 403.264.3276 info@businessincalgary.com www.businessincalgary.com
OT Communications
Sales Executive Nikki Mullett
Nikki Mullett
Art Director: Cher Compton
Graphic Designers: katalist studios & Kenji Doshida
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Supreme Service
Standing, L-R: Dave Pratt, Darren Biedermann, Sterling Bacon, Patty Belding, Kevin Lau, Doug Robertson, Mary Ann. Seated, L-R: Lorraine Baker, Denby Royal, Ernie Biedermann.
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upreme’s unique, high energy, yet comfortable environment welcomes you to over 5,000 square feet filled with every man’s fashion wish, from footwear and designer denim to business and formal attire, tastefully highlighted with an extensive selection of accessories. With an obvious focus towards Canadian-made clothing, you will also find designer collections from Versace, Mark Nason and others. Private appointments, delivery and gift-wrapping are just a few of the extras that have gained Supreme a loyal following. Supreme’s ambition to fulfill fashion desires has led to its newest endeavour: a
Supreme’s unique, high energy, yet comfortable environment welcomes you to over 5,000 square feet… posh, exclusive, ever-changing, fresh selection of ladies’ fashions. They’ve kept it fairly quiet while they built their confidence in knowing what would work. But the response has been outstanding, and ladies have been stopping by on a regular basis to see what’s new at Supreme. Dave Pratt and Denby Royal
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60th Anniversary
The Faces of Supreme
60th Anniversary
“T
he way Supreme sits today is with a staff that is the best of the best,” says Darren. “We have the right team; they just gel and customers sense this.” As Supreme navigates through its 60th year of business, the tradition of non-commission sales staff endures to provide customers with exceptional service.
Sterling Bacon
Mary Ann
Lorraine Baker
Dave Pratt
Doug Robertson
Kevin Lau
Denby Royal
Ernie Biedermann
“We have the right team; they just gel and customers sense this.” ~ Darren
Patty Belding 6
The Biedermann Line
60th Anniversary
The collection’s attention to detail, luxurious European fabrics and uncompromising fit have made it a favourite of all ages at Supreme.
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hroughout his career, Darren has experienced all avenues of the retail industry. His hunger for new challenges and his innovative energy led him to explore the design side of his business. He put together a wildly creative and exceptionally elegant Biedermann line, exclusive to Supreme. The suits, shirts and pants are original and production is limited. Garments are all Canadian made and conform to exceptional quality standards. Darren enjoys designing one-ofa-kind suits for some of his most fashionably-driven clients. The collection’s attention to detail, luxurious European fabrics and uncompromising fit have made it a favourite of all ages at Supreme.
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The History of Supreme I n the mid 1960s, a young Ernie Biedermann, fuelled by his visionary drive, left the comforts of his home in Berlin, Germany to travel to the opposite end of the globe. An entrepreneurial dream lay at the heart of his journey; one that eventually found its foothold on Canadian soil. Ernie initially settled in Swift Current, Saskatchewan where he met Margit, who became his wife and the mother of his three sons – Curtis, Darren and Randal. Ernie reached Calgary in 1967, and went to work for Mr. Frank Nutbrown as a part-time tailor. Frank was the sole operator of Supreme Tailors, a little shop named for its proximity to the former Supreme Court building. Having apprenticed as a tailor in Europe, Ernie brought irreplaceable talent to the cutting table and for the next six years, the
Frank and Ernie
SUPREME MEN’S WEAR CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 60TH ANNIVERSARY
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60th Anniversary
60th Anniversary
With the help of his wife Margit, who would run the administrative side of the company, the start of what would become Supreme Men’s Wear emerged. Ernie built an impeccable reputation for Supreme Tailors, and became known as one of the finest men’s clothiers in the city.
Curtis, Darren, Ernie and Randal
duo outfitted some of Calgary’s most prominent businessmen. In 1973, Frank Nutbrown resolved to sell his store. Ernie realized that this was his opportunity to make his own mark in the clothing business. With the help of his wife Margit, who would run the administrative side of the company, the start of what would become Supreme Men’s Wear emerged. Ernie built an impeccable reputation for Supreme Tailors, and became known as one of the finest men’s clothiers in the city. 9
Handing over the Reigns A
60th Anniversary
t the age of 18, Darren, Ernie’s son officially began working full-time at Supreme. He worked closely with his father, ultimately learning Ernie’s exemplary traditions of personalized care and attention to detail. It wasn’t long before Darren actualized a plan to acquire the business. Without the monetary means to flat-out purchase the store, he was forced to concoct an innovative approach. When Ernie announced that he would be going to his native Germany for the month, Darren saw a way to capitalize on the opportunity. With his father away, Darren took it upon himself to do some ‘housekeeping.’ He re-stained all of the cabinets, cleaned the carpets, re-painted the entire shop and changed all the lighting. After sharing his plan with his customers, their support was evident and he was completely overwhelmed. Upon his return from Germany, Ernie was greeted with an updated Supreme and a record March on the books. That was enough for Ernie, so in 1994, after surrendering his savings, maxing out his credit cards and signing over half of his duplex, the reigns were officially handed over. Ernie and Darren Biedermann Having endured an uncertain economic climate in the prebuilding that housed Supreme for 36 years. vious century, Ernie had learned the value of hard work and Darren boldly chose to go to court to fight the eviction. determination. He also held a strong belief that a certain hunger His determination was rewarded, as he brokered a deal with was needed to successfully drive oneself to financial prosperity. He wanted to ensure that Darren was possessed of a similar experience and mindset to prepare him for the often-chaotic business world. With these teachings Darren embarked on his own journey, and it wasn’t long before he met his first test. A week after purchasing the store, a registered letter was delivered. To his shock he found an eviction notice. Unexpectedly, he was given two weeks to evacuate the
With these teachings Darren embarked on his own journey, and it wasn’t long before he met his first test… the court, and bought himself the precious time he needed to move forward with his plans to bring future prosperity to the Supreme name.
Congratulations on 60 years
Congratulations on 60 years from Throat Threads Apparel
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New Beginnings W ith a few months secured in the nearly dilapidated building, Darren kept his ear to the ground in the hopes of finding that perfect new locale. He got a call one day from his brother, Curtis, who had discovered an exciting potential location for Supreme’s new home. A smooth
60th Anniversary
to say, ‘Dad, today I’m officially in business.’” A self-proclaimed ‘workaholic,’ Darren spent many a night sleeping near the back door of the new shop. He even had a shower installed in the store. His journey wasn’t void of struggle, but gradually, with a no-room-for-failure attitude, Supreme would rise above.
His journey wasn’t void of struggle, but gradually, with a no-room-for-failure attitude, Supreme would rise above. transaction with the landlord confirmed to Darren that things were meant to be. His excitement grew as he embarked on designing his dream store. “My dad would always say, ‘Darren, if you owe a thousand dollars, you’re in debt. If you owe a million dollars, you’re in business,’” he recalls. “And I remember the day I called my father
Makers of fine shirtings and trousers for the
Collection
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The Lion Reigns Supreme I
60th Anniversary
n the old store on 8th Avenue, the logo was a British flag and the mascot was a British Bulldog – homage to Britain, who at the time were makers of the world’s finest fabrics. Now, with the new store under construction, Darren decided it was time for a corporate makeover. He recalls watching a television show on lions in the wild narrated by Lorne Greene. The closing words about the lion’s supremacy had such an impact that he began to ponder the lion becoming the new Supreme logo. With the following turn-of-events, it was confirmed – the king of the jungle graces all that is Supreme. In Berlin, Ernie had grown up in an apartment building just a block from where the Berlin Wall would eventually be erected. Inside there was a wooden ban-
Kalle and Curtis visiting the dilapidated Berlin apartment that housed the lion.
ister that stretched the eight floors of the building. Carved in wood at the bottom of the banister was an open mouthed lion’s head that greeted visitors as they entered. Ernie recalls how all the kids in the building would hang from this lion while playing inside. After the demolition of the wall, the area Ernie grew up in became the centre of Berlin. Consequently, the value of the real estate in close proximity skyrocketed and construction to renovate Ernie’s childhood home began. During the redevelopment, Ernie’s siblings visited their old stomping grounds. In the back of the building, in a pile of rubble, Ernie’s sister stumbled upon something remarkable. It was the wooden lion’s head that had adorned the banister so many years ago. On a snowy Christmas Eve in 1990, a package was delivered to the Biedermann household. With great surprise, the family opened it to find the piece of the banister that had been a relic of Ernie’s childhood. So today, behind the counter at the Supreme store is the legendary lion who watches with governing eyes. He has come a long way to be here, and like the Biedermanns themselves, he too has prevailed in his own unique journey. Behind the counter at Supreme.
…today, behind the counter at the Supreme store is the legendary lion who watches with governing eyes. He has come a long way to be here, and like the Biedermanns themselves, he too has prevailed in his own unique journey. 12
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60th Anniversary
Congratulations on 60 Supreme Years
Congratulations Supreme on 60 years of success.
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60th Anniversary
Family Man
Darren and Charli with their children Jagger and Marley.
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“I feel like I have my perfect balance between being a dad, and a clothier. I am so fortunate.” ~ Darren
efore I became a parent, it’s as though I took time for granted, and I often felt like I was in a hurry to get somewhere. Now I feel like I am where I’m meant to be,” says Darren. These days, Darren spends his time in Nelson, B.C. soaking up every moment with his wife and two young children, while regularly visiting his Calgary shop. About two years ago, his lifelong dream of living in the Kootenays became a reality when he relocated to Nelson with his wife, Charli. The Biedermanns fell in love with the culture of Nelson where life is relaxed and unhurried, providing them the time to be passionate and involved parents. It was the quality of life in Nelson that attracted them – the city’s surrounding mountains, artistic community, and the vibe from people that put family first. This atmosphere has driven Darren’s creativity to a new level. Time to think, time to create, time to be…all this time which in turn provides fuel for Darren to fuel Supreme with fresh ideas and fresh designs. “I feel like I have my perfect balance between being a dad, and a clothier,” says Darren with a sense of contentment in his voice. “I am so fortunate.”
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Charli and Darren
F o r c o n t a c t i n f o v i s i t : w w w. i n q u a t t r o . c a
Congratulations
and many more years of success‌