Dapper Dan Has Released His Gucci Collection

It’s a perfectly ‘80s throwback collection that captures Dapper Dan’s (aka Daniel Day’s) ‘80s New York, from oversized sunglasses to knotted headbands. The most legendary piece from the legendary designer? A replica of his ‘80s puff-sleeve jacket design. It was after Gucci’s Cruise 2018 show paying tribute to Dapper Dan that creative director Alessandro Michele partnered with the Harlem designer.

Day became the face of the label’s AW17 tailoring campaign and even reopened his Harlem boutique that had been shut down in 1992 after copyright lawsuits. Now, things have come full circle, and his boutique is back open and his reworking of luxury creations is getting its due attention. The collection is full of sumptuous, ‘80s cocaine Gucci designs, like a double G vinyl jacket and a tracksuit done in the brand’s colors.

@SalmaHayek wore the most important outfit of the night. It wasn’t because she is absolutely stunning—because she is. It wasn’t because it was the best outfit of the night—because it wasn’t. It’s not because it was @Gucci, nor is it because it was made by #DapperDan. No. It was the most important because it sent a message to my pen pals in the favelas of Brazil, and in Soweto, South Africa, and in every ghetto in the world where people are trying to find a way to “make it from The Corner to the rest of the world.” It is important because they know that my story is their story, and that if someone of Salma’s stature would wear something of mine, then they, too, can be a designer. #Harlem

A post shared by Dapper Dan (@dapperdanharlem) on Mar 5, 2018 at 11:24am PST

Last weekend, Gucci hosted a private party at its Wooster street location — it was an event that also doubled as an opening party for the brand’s first store in SoHo. A press release says it will be the first store to “feature the new Gucci DIY assortment including unique lettering in a variety of fabric and color combinations on unisex luggage and the iconic Ace sneaker.”

Dapper Dan’s collection will be sold exclusively at the SoHo store before a wider release later this year. You can also visit his Harlem atelier by appointment only.

“We created this universe of culture that came out of Harlem, and it was parallel to this universe that was coming out of Europe,” Day told the New York Times in March. “And then this amazing man comes along, Alessandro Michele, and because of him, because of his appreciation of culture and of everybody’s contribution to culture, he made it possible for these parallel universes to come together.” He added: “Gucci took it to the 23rd century.”