Dapper Dan Talks About Going From the Underground to Gucci | Vogue

Legendary designer Dapper Dan tells Vogue how he beat the odds, shaped the look of hip hop, and changed fashion forever.
Director: Max Bartick
DP: Steven Tong
Producer: Naomi Nishi
Editor: Camille Getz
Associate Producer: Rachel Cantor
Gaffer: Gautam Lee
Audio: Gabe Quiroga
Set Design: Javier Irigoyen
Location: The Library at The NoMad Hotel
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ABOUT VOGUE
Vogue is the authority on fashion news, culture trends, beauty coverage, videos, celebrity style, and fashion week updates.

[@chynawhyte609]

Dapper Dan need a MOVIE done asap his story is so inspiring

[@lowkey_fla]

Ikr

[@dugebuwembo]

Facts

[@lizrneea]

Exactly this man is a Legend

[@azizaalexander1701]

Yesssss Undergound Drip The Dapper Dan Story.

[@laurasantos6126]

Totally agree!!!!

[@gec03004]

You can do an entire fashion dissertation on this man. He basically birthed the luxury street fashion movement that we’re witnessing right now.

[@24KinfO]

Now they have Misa Hilton too. Game over! She's Puffy daddy's first son mother. She created everything for Lil Kim, including the wigs. Now, Nicki Minaj team, wants that same look. But even Nicki has a collection at Gucci. So...they're there.

[@tionnelatice]

All facts no cap!

[@windyrosestorm]

Couldn't have said it better!

[@MimJimNinja]

@@tionnelatice New Era.

[@dg8676]

It’s been happening for the last 15 20 years you probably new on the scene

[@anprice1492]

"after i taught myself TEXTILE PRINTING" icon

[@musingsofharmony3159]

Ikr, I would like to hear more as to how he learned to sew and also textile printing etc. Truly remarkable!

[@Given-ud4ct]

I thought I was the only person who heard that!

[@josephmurabito6690]

Does that mean it wasn’t real Gucci or Louis Vuitton? I don’t really get what he meant

[@melissa2661]

@@josephmurabito6690 is not

[@disoleil1876]

@@josephmurabito6690 It was counterfeit Gucci, he was biting Italian style and feel but who could blame him. Italians have been giving the world sense of fashion for forever

[@CoraleenWaddell]

Dapper Dan has changed the Cinderella Story. Beautiful!

[@amyjanedoe]

Dapper Dan is thee HARLEM story!

[@SueLall1008]

Agreed!

[@tracyskins7854]

@@amyjanedoe y e s!!!!

[@TheJeneralJU-ICE]

😏 Fine woman.

[@tidyupclean]

Yes he did! This a Dapper Dan story. He tailor made Cinderella's Gucci Gown. Right? Lol

[@spiritualcosmeticss]

Wow! I always heard of dapper dan but never knew who he was or the history. But this was eye opening and refreshing! As a fashion school drop out I think everyone in fashion school should know who Dapper Dan is! Thank you Vogue!

[@letthetruthbetold5602]

Funny he didn’t go to fashion school it was a skill he was born with which is his talent we all have one or a couple we just have to find away to reach that full potential

[@belmont2168]

“Never gave up”... most powerful!! (Dapper Dan is our fashion Icon)

[@user-rb4gq2rx8n]

I met him in Harlem. I’m glad he is getting his flowers ❤️

[@deg3363]

It's about time Dapper Dan get recognized 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@karenseard5574]

I Love how he narrates the story. Dapper Dan knows Fashion & Style! I would love to see his life story as a mini series.

[@serenatv8103]

Those 8 minutes just flashed by ! I could hear him talk endlessly and still be captivated

[@stacyjd2759]

He had to cram 30 plus years in 8 minutes! His story needs a helluva more time to be properly told.

[@MiniM69]

Everything this man does is fire! Legend in the streets and beyond!

[@QueenZsWorld]

he could start his own logo and label! everybody loved HIS creations not just the logos. I'm so glad he's receiving the respect he deserves. thanks Vogue for giving him a platform

[@larissaaleisee6994]

I agree, the way he talks about the brands and emphasised "symbols', he should really make his own. It would be even more iconic.

[@dayop.6345]

I completely agree with you... He should have his own label with the Dapper Dan logo all over his own design. Since he has the talent to be sought out after by the other labels and have a seat at their table then he has the talent to have his own table that likewise young talented black designers would be eager to have a seat at as well.

[@silverdragon710]

exactly what i was thinking

[@azlanmodels]

Well, Dapper Dan already sounds like a high fashion brand.

[@tanishakennedy4616]

He should have his own line named after him! period

[@AuthorLHollingsworth]

This brotha is high fashion in our community, and is one of the best designers in history. We Black Folks know how to survive. Period!

[@AmberSumerall]

The Europeans hate to see us make it with anything.

[@dr.100purrscent5]

Period!!! 💗

[@agastyasoni8384]

👍🙏🔥

[@Србомбоница86]

@@AmberSumerall not at all

[@tidyupclean]

Truth! Facts! The Dopest!

[@ColombianaRodriguez]

The best thing vogue has EVER posted!

[@francoisbariko120]

It's a beautiful moving story.. my respects C'est une belle histoire très émouvante la passion triomphe toujours

[@MakeupGaloreInc]

As a Trademark & Patent paralegal I'm in shock at the infringement but I admire the hustle. "$10 worth of vinyl". 🤣

[@gold-in-melanin7488]

Even Steve Harvey said "you can take $10 and turn it into 1000000!"

[@julieelizabeth510]

I thought the same.

[@13lilsykos]

I'm glad you brought it up. I thought about it, but I didn't want to get yelled at by the internet.

[@americaunited504]

So Dapper Dan's fakes were made so well that even Gucci had to pay him. First they tried to ruin him by raiding his business, repeatedly. More great stories like this please!

[@theTrend7]

It's all about the name. It never matters the material.

[@911meeeee]

I have obviously heard the name “Dapper Dan” my whole life, but I never knew he was a real person. He is truly an inspiration and an icon. I am shook.

[@911meeeee]

@@disoleil1876 no it doesn’t lol, it means surprised, impressed, etc

[@911meeeee]

@@disoleil1876 are you dumb or stupid? Look up “shook” right now on urbrandictionary and it will say “surprised.”

[@911meeeee]

@@disoleil1876 I didn’t need to, I recommended it because it’s a renowned site and you have access to it. Youre dumb and wrong, it’s embarrassing.

[@911meeeee]

@@disoleil1876 clearly you don’t know what “shook” means if you think it only means “scared” 🤣 girl it’s not 1990 anymore

[@Pocahontas-jh1cq]

I still have all of my Dapper Dan jackets in Louis Vuitton and Gucci print since I was in college in 1989. I know they are probably worth a fortune now!

[@lalc2883]

Dapper Dan's story is admirable. He is a real legend. That being said, it is easy to get why he was shut down. As iconic as he was, he was stealing those brands's logos, making bootlegs, selling in Harlem at that time, with mainly drug dealers as clients. He was inventive in his designs but it was the logos that caught people's eyes. I don't know if he would have been famous without the logos but I like that he has a legit voice now. This video alone shows how much we have evolved as a society. The world has changed in 30 years. The people at the helm of Vuitton, Gucci..etc have changed in 30 years. We have a new generation of designers and clients and even the fact that he tells his story to Vogue shows how much we have evolved as a society.

[@HugoMRB]

I don't think LV changed the same way as Gucci, Alessandro Michele is really a genius and has more character than the majority of other top industry designers

[@marthav6640]

Dapper Dan The Man. Not only is he creative beyond imagination. He is wise, intelligent, and proud. Watch his interview on the Breakfast Club and get ready to receive gems of wisdom.

[@Rachel-sv9pq]

If you enjoyed this 8 minute video then I highly recommend his memoir. Fascinating read about an American original.

[@JonJon-du9ne]

Ok

[@hambone4984]

I've always heard people calling each other dapper dan whenever they're dressed nicely or looking good, but wow, never knew he was a real person or even still alive

[@thetechtiger1117]

It took them 30 years and being called out on social media to finally acknowledge this mans genius.

[@winstonchurchill571]

That's Harlem accent? Love it 🔥

[@Musa-ut6ce]

If Dapper Dan didn't re-purpose those materials to create the jackets that he did, who knows what street fashion would look like right now. What we see today is a product of Dapper Dan.

[@tidyupclean]

Yasssss! Fosho

[@princesslve]

I am in love with how unintentionally hilarious and direct he is when telling his story.

[@mylattly]

This man is all sauce!

[@gordythecreator]

Been hearing about this man for over 20yrs. 1st time seeing the legend. I wanna hear more Dapper Dan

[@shawncochran1285]

Dapper Dan's been making his own trends for decade's!!Ofcourse Gucci wanted him.He was doing more for that label.Than they were themselves.He's a creative genius.

[@femdivinemind7777]

Key...

[@disoleil1876]

Without Gucci there would be no Dapper Dan. Gucci has been around for over 100 years. He was biting everything they ever made 🤣

[@brenttcunningham3766]

@@disoleil1876 Nah he was switching up everything they ever made and put his own style to it then they started biting his style and how would there be no Dapper Dan if there was no Gucci? He just said in the video he was selling mcm,Louie,Fendi, and Gucci. He got the deal with Gucci in 2017……The man was “Dapper Dan” decades before 2017. Everything you commented was literally wrong😂😂🤷‍♂️

[@alexsaborit5599]

These are the stories we wanna hear

[@prettysubtitles]

Wow he have SO MUCH IMPACT. Im glad that he kept going on. He is such an inspiration

[@liku6279]

Truly the definition of iconic

[@lilmonsta6701]

Virgil needa watch this interview

[@JLJarina]

This interview is put up so nicely together, it gave me goosebumps.

[@laurenjackson2810]

This kept my attention the whole 8 minutes lol. He is amazing 💗✨

[@genesisthepoet815]

KZbin needs to add a double and triple like button because Dapper Dan’s story is double beautiful and triple inspirational ❤️❤️❤️

[@sohnnysdream]

goodNESS!! and I had no idea that "Dapper Dan" was a real person growing up. My dad used to call me dapper dan when I dressed up for holidays lol. Never knew who this man was, but an 8 minute video has me giving mad respect to this man. A hustle is a hustle and this man knew his way in and out of it all, and it took him decades but now he's here. Also jesus I wish I could afford some of those newer gucci looks omg

[@ChandraNYC]

Well, the saying "Dapper Dan" has been in existence for some time.

[@quavejacob1483]

It’s could be regraded as a Jamaican term...”yuh look dappa mi son” or “Mi son a di Dappa” it’s a very common nick name too..yo! Dappa,Daps or Dappa Don !

[@letthetruthbetold5602]

@capitalismforme who cares

[@letthetruthbetold5602]

@capitalismforme yeah America is stolen land

[@坪根健介]

Dapper Dan

[@daboe-xm9yr]

Just finished his memoir, it was truly inspirational.

[@cspratling5247]

They need to do a movie. Hes absolutely amazing💖💖💖💖

[@richardchu109]

Amazing story. I loved rap music when in my youth in the 80’ and 90’. Watching Yo MTV Raps. I’ve always wanted the clothes those rappers wore. Seeing street cloth and high fashion come together is a dream come true.

[@patriciahamilton9772]

Dapper dan broke barriers in fashion history he open up doors for the next generation, his legacy will live forever after he's gone👍😊

[@veronicamcfarlane8707]

This is an INCREDIBLE story that needs its own motion picture.

[@wafihabib]

First heard about Dapper Dan through Bob the Drag Queen and Monet X Change in their podcast, so I’m really glad Vogue made this!

[@mrbaldwin8658]

This dude is an absolute LIVING LEGEND!!!! Big ups, big Bro!!!!

[@qumarfreeman8604]

Glad he's getting his 💐💐💐 while he's still here

[@Laevan65]

Love this he needs his own 6 part series with vogue. That would be hot. The Dapper Dan Story 6 parts. Only with Vogue. He has been through alot his story is interesting.

[@CSmith-tn8nv]

I never heard of Dapper Dan until this video. He’s amazing. His story is amazing.

[@tessabell8401]

I could listen to him talk for hours. Definitely would watch a documentary on Dapper Dan! Can anyone tell me if one has already been made?

[@sabaha2010]

Wow this was so interesting. Love his life story. He needs to be out there more or I just need to look for him ha ha

[@tymothieburdon6452]

"Whats your opinion on this: ""DARTH VADER RETIRED PADDLE BOARDING on LA RIVER (Narrated by Jones Earl James) S2E1a River Wild P1"""

[@janehale8374]

@@tymothieburdon6452 FIRE

[@ye23.]

Hes out there for sure

[@jo.cohennn]

He’s doesn’t enjoy putting himself out there often, he gives a great amount of info in his book though I highly recommend it if you’re interested in learning about him further

[@sabaha2010]

@@jo.cohennn Thanks, will definitely check out his book. This man has a lot of wisdom to offer and I am open to receiving it :)

[@QueenQueenly]

Amazing. I love it. For us who can’t afford the real LV but like the symbol and style and texture. He is a hard working business man. I admire that

[@BeautyByTat]

I got shivers, he is genuinely so inspiring 👏🏾

[@mlight6845]

Congratulations to both Dapper Dan and Gucci!

[@onosxo]

Dapper Dan influenced me before I even knew who he was. A living legend, truly.

[@Nn-fr2fj]

That’s a beautiful story. I agree with him, to make change you must be at the table to discuss the change.

[@marochatzistogianni2841]

A living legend !!! THE PIONEER that started it all.

[@anairasoul6139]

This brought tears to my eyes, truly inspiring. Never give up on your vision.

[@asian6oy]

Suits aren't my thing but he looks fly 😎

[@PHlophe]

noa you are a teen. you'll want one later don't worry. your brain chemistry will mature into this.

[@vanessaclark3754]

I love Dapper Dan, so inspiring. Yes please a Dapper Dan movie. People need this inspiring story. Thankyou for being you Dapper Dan. Showing us all that impossible is nothing and making the possible so expansive and mind blowing. Love 💘😻

[@katatoth1983]

This is one of the best video Vogue has ever uploaded

[@1twoone2]

"A seat at the table" ...very important, applies to more than just fashion.

[@kungfumind.]

Growing up in the city in the 80s and 90s was by far the best time of my life! 😁

[@bwell6941]

That was entertaining and informative...I had to watch it twice...😂💙

[@swellchstyle3331]

I love that this story was shared‼️ thank you 🙏🏾❤️

[@charlita25]

“And they came” 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@superkev5659]

Vogue should invest in a movie about Dapper Dan that would be a master piece in the fashion industry & a timeless movie that would aspire alot of upcoming fashion designers💯

[@chavl597]

This is so beautifully done and inspiring!!

[@Evejackson777.]

This is amazing I’m speechless 😶 BRAVO!!

[@jai_b]

Great man, beautifully told story, was hooked on every word. Respect 👍

[@MsDd33]

I love this! he never gave up ❤️

[@realtimegirl]

I had heard of the name Dapper Dan but had no idea of the story behind the name. Amazing story, incredible designs so ahead of the times. One of the most inspirational fashion stories on KZbin. I could watch this every day. Brilliant!!!

[@AKIIMALLEN]

this mans hustle and mind is amazing

[@BeautyOutspoken]

His story is Iconic enough for a movie. Where Netflix at?!!!

[@foiseku2166]

The best KZbin clip Ive seen today - what a story!

[@jgemini3202]

So inspiring✊🏾💫

[@LIBRAFIGHTERAGOD]

It’s so beautiful to see brothas like me built a way for themselves . It’s the best .

[@agnieszkaklos9485]

Wow! What an amazing story!! He’s so incredibly talented.

[@ralphmadera4366]

This guy is awesome, not only he is intelligent but also fluent and motivational. He should be out there more often !

[@Musicshayna]

He is such an amazing business man! So inspired !!! 💪🏼💪🏿

[@stephaniefranco4862]

I love this video! He was so straught to the point, honest, and explained exactly all the questions i had. Great video, i love his message and learning about him. Perfect editing and explanation!

[@RichLux713]

Yesssssssss 💯

[@carringtonlefayette8644]

Dapper Dan you are beyond fabulous. Your style is sublime.

[@dolled-upjen3606]

Dapper Dan's fashion reminds me of the sapeurs of Congo.

[@arielthegreat4045]

I’ve met him and he’s so dope in real life!!!!!❤ love him!🫶🏾🫶🏾

[@staneishah2668]

Legendary!

[@lanaamir870]

WOW !!!! amazing story . much power to KING!!! 🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿

[@bernardtarver]

I wonder why other brands didn't buy in. The Diane Dixon coat was done with LV prints.

[@dulceele2967]

He created the entire fashion industry we live in ( urban and rapper chic) but no body knew until 2017. Amazing

[@TheJeneralJU-ICE]

Black creativity and ingenuity. We always know how to turn nothing into something. Respect to the legend Dapper Dan.

[@Fashionlifestyle_Official]

Thank you for sharing!Hope everybody here becomes successful on KZbin

[@andreamason5261]

Great 👍 story. I need a part 2 to this . This is inspiring

[@ciarar.981]

The fact that he exposed Sonia Sotomayor for who she really is says so much about how just because she a POC does not mean she for all people

[@appartement2046]

Lmfao you better tell that to Clarence Thomas

[@dinkyboss]

Exposing her for what? Doing her job? He was literally producing counterfeit goods

[@feeniix6]

dinkyboss exactly! She was doing her job

[@MakeupGaloreInc]

Guessing Sonya was a corporate attorney before a Supreme Court Justice. Her job was to raid him for trademark infringement and unfair trade/competition. I'm a Trademark/Patent paralegal, you better raid or lose your brand, LOL.

[@ashante190]

She was simply doing her job. No matter how much we love Dapper and his designs, the prints were still trademarked by the fashion houses. You can't just put designer logos and prints on your clothes to sell and not face legal ramifications.

[@josephhertzberg2734]

Incredible and long overdue. I love it

[@EhlieLuna]

What an inspiration!

[@ramongonzalez1114]

What a beautifully story, it is tallying me a lot..never is too late...have passion and faith, be creative, and a lot more, I can finish telling me how much I have learn today...Gracias.

[@albs5623]

Incredible story. Absolutely amazing.

[@ebonyduncan7022]

"Dapper Daniella, I'm ALWAYS in Gucci!" - TheeStallion 🔥🔥🔥

[@DarkWaveOnSteroids]

Just finished reading Dap’s book… amazing read, couldn’t put the book down.

[@RegalNG]

The fastest most informative video so far on youtube.. So historical

[@wally6914]

Should've been longer.

[@mundaneamazing]

This should be a full-length documentary!!

[@TheBlackkat63]

After watching this I’m gassed. Greatness