- Music
- 15 Feb 16
The clothing brand Supreme have issued a statement explaining why they continued with the campaign, despite Morrissey’s objections
Morrissey is being featured in an ad campaign for clothing brand Supreme, despite requesting that his image not to be used.
The former Smiths frontman, and long-time successful solo performer, whose cheekily titled memoir Autobiography was a huge literary hit, has pleaded with Supreme not to use the photographs – which were taken by controversial photographer Terry Richardson. Morrissey said in a statement, released via his fan site, that he “considered the photograph to be fit only for a medical encyclopaedia.”
Morrissey also expressed reservations about the campaign on the basis that it had become known to him that Supreme has an association with fast-food chain White Castle. Morrissey subsequently issued a legal caution that he should be withdrawn from the ad campaign, on the basis of his vegetarianism.
In response, Supreme have issued an extensive statement explaining why they have continued to use Morrissey’s likeness. The statement insists that Morrissey agreed to do the shoot with the full knowledge of all that would be involved – though whether that included the association with White Castle may be a moot point. According to Supreme, when he did not like the subsequent pictures the singer was given three options:
(1) To do an entire re-shoot at Supreme’s sole expense; (2) To select one of the many options from the shoot with Terry Richardson that were offered to Morrissey; (3) To return the substantial fee that had been paid to Morrissey by Supreme.
According to Supreme, Morrissey rejected all three options with no explanation – and as a result the clothing brand says that it was "forced" to publish the images “as per its agreement with Morrissey.”
Morrissey has yet to respond to Supreme's statement.