Billboard corner of Lenox Avenue + 125th Street, January 2018
It’s official ~ Gucci and Dapper Dan aka Daniel Day opened a boutique on Lenox Avenue in Harlem in 2018, in the neighborhood where he created his style back in the 1980’s.
In addition, the iconic Harlemite has penned a book entitled Dapper Dan: Made in Harlem: A Memoir. Save the Date, Thursday, December 5, 2019 for a book signing from 6-9:30pm just down the block at NiLu Gift Shop, 191 Malcolm X Blvd, between 119th/120th Streets in Harlem.
The new boutique will be located in a 4,700 square foot brownstone and will be a true collaboration, with Gucci providing Dapper Dan with materials – patches & prints – allowing him to create Gucci custom Dapper Dan gear. Acknowledging fashion history, “Gucci-Dap” will be one-off garments and will release in tandem with the brand’s Fall 2018 collection next year.
A First look via GQ
A first look via GQ
Known for his designer-bespoke pieces, the Dapper Dan brand was part of the wardrobe collection of many well-known musicians and celebrities. His original boutique closed in 1992, fending off numerous lawsuits from various high-end fashion brands.
The image below was taken at the Gucci Resort 2018 collection in Florence, Italy. It was, in fact, designer Alessandro Michele paying homage to the Harlem couturier, Dapper Dan, and revealed the collaboration.
The shop is open by appointment only and the Gucci x Dapper Dan collection will be available in Gucci stores worldwide. Read more on Vogue UK, Elle, Esquire and GQ
Check out Fashion & Style ~ Outlaw Dapper Dan, and a bit of history on Revolt.
And ~ Not to miss article in GQ Style, March 5, 2018.
Check out Ari Melber (MSNBC) in a definitive breakdown of Dapper Dan’s Harlem legacy (video).