Harlem, the 80s and Luxury Streetwear.
It’s a late afternoon in the 80s and somewhere in 125th street in Harlem, the radio plays Run D.M.C. Without knowing it, this is the stage where Dapper Dan will cross a whole generation’s fashion boundaries.
This famous designer joins Gucci for a spectacular return staying in line with ‘luxury streetwear‘, a fashion trend that Dapper started 25 years ago and is especially meaningful today as it is now part of our culture.
Dapper dreamt of dressing in haute couture someday, but not being able to afford brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Halston or Chanel, he used similar logos and patterns to finally create his version of how these brands’ designs would look like on the streets of his black community, streets that were ultimately his inspiration.
This was also the time when the hip hop subculture grew and became a culture. A real lifestyle that pursued gold, fancy clothes and fashion, as everyone wished to get out of the ghetto and achieve success (Fresh Dressed, 2015). Harlem’s fashion reflected a wealthy community even though it wasn’t, and this is exactly what Dapper Dan mirrored in his creations.