Gucci is Opening a Harlem Atelier with Dapper Dan

by Isabel Slone December 14, 2017

“Everyone paid homage to Dapper Dan, but no one ever paid him,” says Dapper Dan in a statement released by Gucci earlier today. Now Dapper Dan is finally getting his due. Fifteen years after the closure of his independent boutique in 1992, Dapper Dan is back in business, opening a new atelier in Harlem with Gucci.

l went from selling clothes on a table on the sidewalks of #Harlem, now l’m on my own giant billboard on a rooftop in Harlem. l went from having holes in my shoes as a child, now l wear @Gucci loafers. l came from the poorest neighborhood in Harlem, now l have a brownstone in Harlem. l never had a desire to move away and be by the rich people, now they are moving by me. l always believed in me and l always believed in Harlem—and l thank GOD for that.

A post shared by Dapper Dan (@dapperdanharlem) on Nov 30, 2017 at 4:54pm PST

The bootleg king of the ‘80s was known for his unique streetwear designs that often incorporated designer logos. Earlier this year, the bootleg phenomenon reached fever pitch, and controversy erupted when a jacket with ballooning sleeves shown on the Gucci runway bore an uncanny resemblance to a puffy-sleeved jacket Dapper Dan designed for Olympic sprinter Diane Dixon in 1989.

The new space, housed in a historic brownstone in Harlem, will be open via appointment only. The 4,700 square feet will include a ground level atelier, as well as a high-ceilinged parlour one floor above, and an area for on-site production. Dapper Dan will design bespoke items for clients using Gucci fabrics, prints, embroidered patches and hardware.

All items will come with a certificate of authenticity. How ironic.

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