During the 1980s, Dapper Dan of Dapper Dan’s Boutique in New York created clothing with a pioneering blend of streetwear and high fashion creating custom pieces for the ballers of Harlem, NYC. Word spread and Dapper Dan was designing designer logo items for celebrities and street stars from coats to seat covers.
These pieces often featured unlicensed use of designer logos and patterns resulting in the closing of the boutique in 1992 after being raided by anti-counterfeiting agents, and Dapper Dan went underground.
Years later Dapper Dan remerged on the scene when Gucci recognized Dan for his ingenuity and his influence of the urban market on Gucci’s look and sales. This is the official Dapper Dan X Gucci collaboration. The long overdue recognition of Dapper Dan is here. View the ready-to-wear collection below.
Dapper Dan covered the Sept./Oct. Fashion Issue of Surface Magazine speaking candidly of his fashion journey.
In an extended interview, the fashion icon opens up about his upbringing, his discovery of African tailoring and its influence on his designs, his self-taught techniques and iconic personal style, and dressing elite clientele like LL Cool J. He also discusses his unique collaboration with Gucci, which led to this year’s acclaimed “Dapper Dan-Gucci” collection, as well as his forthcoming memoir.
“This is the first time in my life I can be creative above-ground, without worrying about big brands getting upset,” Dapper Dan told Surface.
“Just wait until I finish writing the chapter. And I’m not talking about the book. I’m talking about the things I’m going to do from this point on—because now I have a voice.”
“Just wait until I finish writing the chapter. And I’m not talking about the book. I’m talking about the things I’m going to do from this point on—because now I have a voice.”
The 2018 Fashion Issue of Surface includes a photo essay on the skateboarding roots of modern streetwear; an insider’s guide to shopping in Paris; a survey of today’s best-dressed designers; and an exclusive excerpt from the “The Waiter,” a stylish new novel by contemporary artist Matias Faldbakken.
Read the Surface magazine Dapper Dan cover story on SurfaceMag.com here.
The blueprint circa 1980s…
❤️❤️