Dapper Dan, the 80s Harlem-based bootleg designer famed for his customised pieces dressing hip-hop celebrities, is having a comeback thanks to Italian brand Gucci. After creative director Alessandro Michele paid homage to one of the designer’s looks at the Cruise 2018 show last year, the bootlegger became the face of the label’s AW17 tailoring campaign and later reopened his Harlem-based boutique.
Now, the designer has revealed his first collaboration with the Italian house that dives into his iconic archive. Reworking tracksuits and jackets with Gucci’s luxurious materials, the collection features double G vinyl jacket and a tracksuit bearing the brand’s colours. A full circle moment for Dan, who had to close his boutique in 1992, following a number of copyright lawsuits. Now, more than just a bootlegger, he is officially working with supplied Gucci fabrics.
Shot on the streets of New York, the collection images show menswear and womenswear looks continuing the 80s-theme with oversized sunglasses, knotted headbands and (gasp) socks-and-sandals trend. After being revealed in-store last weekend, the collection will be sold exclusively in Gucci’s new SoHo store before a wider release later in the year.