Daniel Day, known to the Hip-Hop Community around the world as the legendary "Dapper Dan", was the designerwho brought high-end fashion to the hood. Custom-made Gucci, Louis Vuitton, MCM, and Nike clothing were specially made to custom fit anyone who could afford the price tag, starting at $1200 a pop!Dapper Dan was raised in Harlem, and saw a void with high fashion and African American consumers. When Dapper Dan opened his legendary boutique on 125th St. in Harlem, his first clients were drug dealers that wanted the custom clothing and paid top dollar for his services. Dapper Dan noticed the rappers at the time (like LL Cool J) would stand outside and wait for the dealers to leave to find out what they had purchased and buy it for themselves. Dapper Dan said LL still owes him like 3 stacks! LOL.
Our favorite rappers and M.C.'s like Big Daddy Kane, Biz, Salt n Pepa, Eric B. and Rakim to name a few , would rush down to Dan on a regular basis to have custom jackets, hats, outfits, and even cars with Dapper Dan's custom signature. Drug kingpins like Alpo, Rich Porter, and AZ helped Dapper Dan get the word out about his premium clothing. Soon enough, stars like Mike Tyson (who knocked out Mith "Blood" Green outside Dan's boutique), Teddy Riley, and Puff Daddy would make the stop through Harlem to get a piece of the action.
Dapper Dan is now in the process of putting a book together. It should be out by the last quarter of 2012. On behalf of the KickGame DVD family, we thank Dapper Dan for his contribution to the Hip-Hop culture. - Cali "O"
No comments:
Drop A Comment