Harlem’s tailor Dapper Dan was one of modern menswear’s founding fathers. He has spent most of the ‘80s remixing high-fashion pieces for athletes and celebrities, taking many offers from the likes of Gucci and Louis Vuitton and making something different for them. But now Dapper Dan and Gucci are teaming up and are opening an atelier together.
Dapper Dan’s Boutique (the original) was shut down back in 1992, due to the fact of the issues from his stylish, yet still illegal, tweaking and reshaping of other brand designs. The new Harlem atelier- a 4,700 square foot brownstone, is very different from the original when Dap started designing in the ‘80s. now, he will be making custom, one of a kind designs for clients using Gucci raw materials, fabrics, prints, embroidered patches, and hardware. The space will only be open by appointments starting January 2018.
Dapper Dan was one of the few people back in the ‘80s, he was around before anybody else was around to be able to intersect couture and culture. Back then, this didn’t go over so well with the big fashion house names, but now that Gucci is embracing him and his designs, it proves as a very good sign for the fashion world.
Gucci and Dapper Dan are also looking to launch a Gucci x Dapper Dan capsule that will be a part of Gucci’s fall 2018 collection, and will be available in Gucci stores globally.
