Give him his flowers
Put it like this, all the high-end urban wear that you see entertainers and athletes wearing now all stem from the goat Dapper Dan. From Harlem USA to Gucci, and now Gap.
Born in 1944 in Harlem, New York Dap made his name by designing knock off luxury wear for African Americans who wanted to dress in style but didn’t feel comfortable shopping in the high-end stores. He created a style for the up-and-coming hip hop scene in New York City through the mid 80’s and early 90’s.
Musicians such as LL Cool J, Eric B. and Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, to athletes such as “Iron” Mike Tyson and more recent Floyd Mayweather. He also had the street influence for being the designer/ tailor for big time hustlers such as Harlems own “Alpo”. They all loved Daps style and fashion mindset.
Dapper Dan had a custom shop named Dapper Dan’s Boutique located on 125th street between Madison and fifth ave.The shop opened in 1982. The shop would stay open 24 hours days a week . Before opening his shop he would sell stolen garments from his car. He was a staple in the fashion scene locally, but his talents would stretch further than NYC fashion scene. So much so that his Gucci, Louie, Fendi and Mcm designs just to name a few got the attention of the actual fashion houses. His style and mindset were not what they were on in the 80’s and 90’s when it comes to luxury ready wear garments. He got their attention!, his name was put into the controversy that gained mainstream attention when heavy weight champ of the time “Iron Mike” snuffed Mitch Green in Daps store in 1988.
The fight broke out when Green confronted Mike about money he felt his promotor at the time Don King owed. Shortly after that incident in 1992 his operation was shut down once Fendi and then US Attorney Sonia Sotomayor issued legal actions for a warrant and shut the shop down. This did not stop Daps hustle. He hustled underground from NYC to down south.
In 2017 Gucci opened their eyes up and saw that this man was influential to fashion culture. Putting the past aside, Dap partnered with Gucci and launched a fashion line in 2017. In 2018 Gucci opened a second store in Harlem, Dapper Dans birthplace. The store is set up by appointment. The studio atelier is open twenty-five years after the closing of his original store. The Dapper Dan collection for Gucci is exclusive in a way and very limited. His items sell out quickly but can be sold on Grailed and other retail luxury sites for more than retail (reseller price).
Speaking of his collabs Dap Gap is a collection that Gap and Dapper Dan have collabbed on for the holidays. Limited edition hoodies designed by Dapper Dan will be released for the holidays in 4 plaid colors. This is not the first time the two have worked together. This project is a glance of both luxury and accessible fashion items for people all over the world. The garments are going for $128.00 and was dropped on November 30th. Let’s see what Dap Gap has instore with this collaboration.
Written by Porter Of Queenz (@porterofqueenz)
Creator of Top Five Kustoms
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