VF Corp., the owner of The North Face, Vans and Timberland brands, is buying privately held streetwear company Supreme as it looks to grow its online and direct-to-consumer business. (AP Photo/Pablo Salinas)The company that owns niche brands like The North Face and Vans is adding to that portfolio with Supreme, a slick streetwear fashion brand. VF Corp. had already been organizing collaborations between Supreme and its Vans, The North Face and Timberland brands. With the Supreme acquisition, VF is strengthening its online and direct-to-consumer business. Shares of Denver-based VF Corp. jumped more than 13% in afternoon trading along with broader markets in news of the development of a potential vaccine for COVID-19.

But sales growth for the brand's slip on shoes and sneakers is starting to cool off -- and that's wiping out the stock of Vans owner VF Corp. in the process. The slowdown in sales growth for Vans appears to be a problem. Vans faces tougher competition in the US from the likes of Nike, Adidas, Under Armour and Skechers. But despite Friday's disappointing numbers and concerns about future growth overseas, VF Corp. is still enjoying a strong year. That stock has surged more than 30% in the past three months, easily outperforming both VF Corp. and newly public rival Levi Strauss.

CNN image(CNN) - Vans is paying tribute to Mexican artist and activist Frida Kahlo by bringing some of her iconic pieces to life. The Vault by Vans x Frida Kahlo collection dropped Saturday in select stores across the United States. The sneakers range between $80-$95 and are available through select Vault by Vans retailers. The collection was done in partnership with Banco de Mxico and the images were approved by the Frida Kahlo Corporation. Last year, Mattel launched a Frida Kahlo Barbie doll as part of a batch of dolls based on historical figures.