Legendary Harlem fashion designer and haberdasher, Daniel Day, otherwise known as Dapper Dan, opens up about how he beat the odds and went from getting raided by police for using designer logos on his clothes, to working directly with Gucci.
Dapper Dan, renowned as the “king of knock-offs”, started making clothes for gangs in Harlem, New York. He was pivotal in the late1980s and 1990s as the tailor supplied rap culture with its gangster style, outfitting emerging hip-hop stars, athletes, and gamblers, such as James Jackson and Floyd Mayweather.
Dapper Dan’s name frequently appears in hip-hop, including LL Cool J’s music. However, he would receive cease and desist orders from designer brands and had to rebuild his business multiple times.
However, it was gold medallist Diane Dixon that would reward Dan thirty years later. Gucci copied the characteristic and outlandish balloon-sleeved jacket. The cultural appropriation scandal blew social media up and demanded Dapper Dan’s recognition.
He decided to work with Gucci “to get in the inside” and make changes for the greater good.
Vogue stated that Dapper Dan “shaped the look of hip-hop,” and “changed fashion forever”.
If you want to see more outlandish Gucci moves, check out these grass-stained dungarees selling for $1,400…
