Fashion designer Dapper Dan's rags to riches story

[@cuppyrobertson7164]

He doesn't need to be invited to the club. He is the club.

[@yeiyei3869]

NEGUS MBARKA no he didn’t.

[@cuppyrobertson7164]

@NEGUS MBARKA please explain.

[@aprilmiller4394]

YES HE IS.

[@triggb71]

I lost respect for Dapper Dan. He's chosen his own gain over respect and integrity. Gucci would've never did anything for him were it not for their need to try to clean up their image. He's a sucker now in my opinion.

[@HypnoticHollywood]

@@triggb71 Unlike you and others, Dan chose to respond to the Gucci situation with logic over emotion.

[@snobbypolitics7792]

Just in case you STILL don’t understand what this man is to HIGH FASHION, let me clarify. All that Gucci, Fendi, Prada, and Louis that is hood style, STARTED with this guy. #LEGEND!

[@pmanlicious7117]

That's why all of it look tacky

[@Memememe-ze1hb]

He definitely put LIGHT ON THOSE BRANDS BACK IN THE DAY..

[@praautoss6613]

Trust me I know it.

[@stayfocused4324]

All those Brands existed before he was born lol

[@theshevirgo]

@@stayfocused4324 well yea but he brought it to the streets. Gucci, LV wasn’t catering to that demographics. Even if they could afford it odds are they would of had issues going into the store especially in the 80’s. He wasn’t selling actual Gucci but taking the prints and doing his own thing. After they ruined his business they took a lot of his ideas.

[@eternalyfeful]

Dapper Dan is black resilience personified, we've always been a people who made something out of nothing, it was our survival. Black people are AMAZING.

[@michellethompson8778]

One of a kind, nothing stops us.

[@michellethompson8778]

@NEGUS MBARKA so sad, smh.

[@eternalyfeful]

@NEGUS MBARKA....???

[@lionelkennedy1394]

It is a gift from The Creator. That's who plants the seed in our souls.

[@soulshadoww55]

You can bet your bottom dollar we are!

[@seekingpathways1045]

Look how long he had to wait to get recognized....about time!!!!

[@carlista2010]

That's what I'm saying !!!!!!

[@sadieg3264]

I thought the same thing, but then I remebered that everything happens in devine time.

[@yoma3964]

@@sadieg3264 pathetic

[@duckmcgee8979]

@@sadieg3264 YES! Who are we to rush GOD?

[@rajohnfoushee9514]

Say word...you already know

[@amilton1911]

Give him his flowers while they live! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@lmmarshall6718]

Amen...

[@YeYozWayYo]

The rest of the world is just finding out but Harlems always loved Dan!

[@chillyg8145]

wander tubeson I am from FL & I always wanted one of those outfits. This man is legendary!

[@YeYozWayYo]

@@chillyg8145I'm from Harlem and got my first pair of leather sweat pants in high school in the 90s from him!

[@chillyg8145]

@@YeYozWayYo I know you was fly. I wanted a MCM outfit. I thank God it is his time to be showcase to the world. Harlem has truly been soiled.

[@YeYozWayYo]

@@chillyg8145 lol if ur from Harlem u had to be some kinda fly lol! I wanted that tomboy aaliyah swag so I saved my summer youth employment checks for those $800 butter soft royal blue and black leather sweats lol. I didnt even like all the Fendi Gucci MCM stuff then! Lol this is when he had the store front with the yellow awning and red letters they keep showing.

[@chillyg8145]

@@YeYozWayYo Okay, go head with your flyself. I promise myself to purchase one of his original pieces but not sure what I want. I plan to hit NY 2020 & I am definitely going to be in Harlem.

[@fitawrarifitness6842]

The Black man in America has to be TWICE as good and work TWICE as hard!!!

[@eleanorhunnigal5583]

Not just America all over the western world

[@nweeezy]

if only people knew how true this statement is

[@derricknregina]

@@eleanorhunnigal5583 well you knew what it meant.

[@torque3331]

Come on its seems fair. He ripped them off, they shut him down. They rip him off, and shut him back up again.

[@ellbdotmusic3521]

That's only if you're comparing yourself to a white man. The wood ones are about creating their own lane. There are plenty examples out there. Don Cornelius, Cathy Hughes, John Johnson, Tyler Perry...

[@sjoq9031]

He should get out of Gucci and create his own brand.

[@frantzfatal]

He Have His Own “Dapper Dan Originals” Too.

[@Dominion-1]

He's looking to develop a distribution deal in *RICH* foreign countries for his brand.

[@thecoach11]

sjo q Gucci will never get my support ever again in life

[@MAJORLEEGUE]

It's not easy as you think... He needs to get all resources from Gucci and build leverage to be able to do that... In due time..

[@enzigenes]

He has his brand. Since the 80's. It's called Dapper Dan. Gucci had to rip him off because they needed a gimmick to survive in fashion. So they went to the originator of urban high fashion and stole his creations. Dapper Dan is the brand and culture. Gucci is just a partnership.

[@rossanaglasgow2561]

African Americans have to fight for everything, but resilience has him at the top

[@drellz9361]

We not African we America indians

[@mercwindow]

Rossana Glasgow AND talent plain and simple. Talent and fight

[@kelleybright3113]

My son says he is native he is 13

[@jatterberry7623]

There r a lot of races that has very poor ppl in it .

[@01nevik]

@@jatterberry7623 That may be true... but in America African Americans got it the worse here. Now where these other races come from sure they had to deal with really bad times there not here in America like most African American still suffer to this day. We are not jumping fences and willing to be shipped in a container then willingly go in to prostitution for a ticket to america...wrong time,people and boats. Go use that victim story on a liberal page... they are pandering for victims at a high rate these days....

[@Entertainer145]

That Jacket 21 Savage Rocked Was Stunning

[@legendaryboxer1020]

IMMACULATE!

[@sosaruhinda2615]

So they stole his ideas ... jus shows that if your black they will not give you what you deserve

[@enzigenes]

They stole it because Gucci needed to tap into the Black urban market. They knew exactly what they were doing. Gucci was suffering as a brand. Around that time LV was more in tune with urban culture such as Hip-Hop, Gucci decided to steal his ideas to get in where they fit in with urban culture.

[@mrcastro8740]

Gucci didn’t do muffin

[@teachatami45]

Sosa Ruhinda take what you deserve. Call them out and eat at your own table.

[@sthunda7132]

@ enzigenes sounds as if you're justifying what Gucci did...sad.

[@theinternetsavedmylife]

@@sthunda7132 That's just business really...ask Samsung and Apple...and lately Haiwei

[@shanec9840]

That's why I don't knock or cheap'in the word "ghetto" because to me, it's creativity in the eyes of the beholder.

[@michellesmith8912]

Cause everybody loves the ghetto until it's time to love the ghetto.

[@denisedean2446]

Shane C The majority of talent originated in Black ghettos and Wall Street profits from Black creativity. The suburban millennials that have moved into the major cities in USA are now starting to rep the style of young African Americans.

[@tomaradoss3420]

Now branch off and build your own Empire!!!!!

[@afrosoul1369]

Tomara Doss Exactly

[@dramaroc7943]

U belive that's possible in order to make it big u have too sell clothes & ur soul SMH

[@shirkophobe]

Dapper Dan is a living legend and I really hope he can, but the reality is it’s not that simple. Ask Kanye. Even with his money and fame, he still had to go before the gatekeepers to even get his stuff out there.

[@dramaroc7943]

@@shirkophobe Correct u are!!!

[@mxchic05]

@@shirkophobe very true!

[@kindnesslove2271]

God continues to be Good. God remains faithful even when we are not faithful. Lord thank you for all that you do

[@lovely31bluprint]

Thank you for sharing. Peace and blessings.

[@christopherjerry7596]

A men

[@usherofsoulsxx212]

That awkward moment when God opens the doors for you that no man can close. Inspiring!! To anyone reading this stay encouraged and don’t give up on yourself, your season of blessings is coming!!

[@tfran235]

Amen!!@

[@healed2011]

I needed this right now! Feeling down because of my mistakes and self-sabotage.

[@imunique10]

yours too be encouraged

[@annbesthangingout2010]

I WISH YOU NOTHING BUT BLESSINGS. THANKS FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT!!!!!!

[@katyarnold6757]

Amen!!! Megami

[@fultzyou]

🤔Gucci thank there slick naw there reintroducing Gucci in the black community through dapper Dan. 🤦🏾‍♀️✊🏾Stay woke

[@rollsroyce7385]

fultzz2010 preach

[@supermariotravels7225]

Wow

[@fultzyou]

Congratulations to Dapper Dan for finally getting recognize for all these years.

[@oblack6351]

CHURCH. THINK THEY SLICK

[@pinkymuffy100]

They always do.

[@suzanneschulz8479]

Rags to riches love this story. Humble Man!

[@daimonmarioperez9501]

Literally !!!

[@PatternBreakerTarot]

Love this story!! NEVER give up!!

[@thelifeuchoose]

Now this is a true rags to riches stories!! Doing a podcast on him!!

[@dramaroc7943]

B4 u due see how much of his story b4 u pod cast do ur self that favor 🤔😉

[@daimonmarioperez9501]

Dap did it his way... Congrats Dap ! Harlem's own Dapper Dan...

[@2KGrind09]

I can't get enough of Dap! The day he got his job at Gucci was the day I first spent $$ with Gucci. A kid who grew up in TX seeing all the hip hop legends in his creations & now i can have something he designed is insane to me! I wear it with pride & I was begging for the book since forever.

[@vintage_sole4065]

From selling to the drug dealers, to selling to top celebrities and have a deal with a major brand

[@jazzyred3833]

AMEN

[@msneechie]

Saw this on Sunday Morning and waited for you to post it so I could share it on my FB page. I needed my friends to see this story.

[@e.s.7520]

Unsung designer! #DapperDan

[@hnyflvr]

LEGEND.... 🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@ahha1834]

Inspirational story that I never knew! Keep rising Dapper Dan!

[@cathygorgeous6013]

I got a outfit back in the day.... you the man and now everyone recognized.... you deserve it all 💕🙏🏾👍🏽💕🙏🏾👍🏽💕🙏🏾👍🏽💕🙏🏾👍🏽💕🙏🏾

[@victorwilliams4403]

Great story. Inspiring!

[@ph4ntomsoldier]

how

[@thabanka]

Listened to his memoir on my drive up from Florida to NYC. Man dap has lived such an interesting life. Please get the book, you'll never look at this man the same

[@melindamullins9649]

Fascinating/ inspirational story

[@angelmatos9143]

Thanks for inspiring Dap. One of the most important moments in life.

[@masonpatrices]

Gucci is clearly using him they will never get my support Dapper Dan start your Own line please!!!!💁🏽‍♀️

[@jonesfredrick94]

I thought Dapper Dan was His own line

[@masonpatrices]

@@jonesfredrick94 its a partnership.

[@lionelkennedy1394]

Dapper Dan has always had his own line.

[@COBYKOEHL2]

Follow your dreams people

[@craigwiggins8287]

Yep!

[@LornaBlakeEmpower]

"If I'm dreaming & somebody pinch me and wakes me up, I'm killing them." Lol What an inspiring story! I'm super inspired by Dapper Dan!

[@tania0070]

I enjoyed this. Dapper Dan is phenomenal.

[@laurajuanitacollins7113]

Great STORY .. God speed Dapper Dan ❤

[@JV-ix9rb]

Appreciate his grind and tenacity. His clothes are not my style though, wish this brother all the best.

[@modernvintage3226]

@J V I Don't think anyone cares about your style Quite Frankly, But All the Brands Owe this Man🤷🏿

[@larrysouthern5098]

Good for Dap!! Entrepreneurial Classic Genius!!! The future belongs to the brave!! GO FOR IT!!!🇺🇸

[@juliahamilton9125]

Nice Story of EnCouRageMENT! DAPPER DAN, Smart and SharP!🎩

[@dramaroc7943]

Listen to his storie again he telling us but n so many words he's part of the cult The illuminati experiment!!!

[@marcopolo2230]

Dapper Dan saved Gucci BILLIONS an they know it!! More than Half of their business is purchased by Blacks.

[@OXHAMMERSTONE_NYC]

Lmfao you think half of Gucci is purchased by blacks lmbao

[@wickedhouston5538]

@@OXHAMMERSTONE_NYC its true, stupid

[@OXHAMMERSTONE_NYC]

@@wickedhouston5538 you're the stupid one if you think black people are 50% of Gucci's market. Where's the graph ?

[@RayNLA]

Not even close my guy! Have you ever been to a Gucci store? Sounds good though...

[@avalosalex1993]

Wrong lol only 5%

[@paulnasser6091]

I'm so glad that I learn really early about not supporting Gucci r any of those high fashion clothing co.

[@dramaroc7943]

Y is damm near every clothe designer is gay 🤔🤔🔍

[@paulnasser6091]

@@dramaroc7943 Not only gay but part of an Secret Society movement. Having agenda of getting everyone to become freaky and very nasty abnormally.

[@jc2delaga]

That's fu...k..ing amazing! Good for him!

[@cicilove9709]

I had the opportunity to tour his whole studio upstairs & downstairs and got to have a great convo with him! It’s like you walk in the low level studio to see images of LL Cool Jay? Jay Z, Salt & Pepper and so many more greats it was just soreal!!!

[@kerrajohnson3203]

*surreal

[@cicilove9709]

Kerra Johnson tomato, tomahto! U know what I meant 🙄 lol

[@jayazar6765]

@@cicilove9709 🤥🤥🤥🤥💩

[@cicilove9709]

sergio Azar 🤔 I know you wish you were able to tour his amazing studio sweeetie lol FYI not everyone lies darling 😘

[@pernicecartwright5246]

hey Dapper Dan if you're looking for mature model I'm willing

[@thestreamoflife1124]

Another amazing miracle from Our Father 🙏 all things are possible with God

[@justjacqueline2004]

SAW SOME OF HIS WONDERFUL CLOTHES AT HARVARD SQUARE IN THE EARLY 1980S,I WAS SO JEALOUS.

[@wasabikawasaki4769]

Maria das Santos what were his clothes doing in Boston ?

[@evethenor]

Happy he's getting his recognition

[@readjames1140]

I would by his clothes if it was just called Dapper Dan .... I think that would be better then Gucci definitely sounds better

[@godofthisshit]

@Read James You can. Visit his store.

[@shaediamond7336]

Beautiful.......

[@rworleysr]

Salute to a Real One first Louie Velour was Dapper Dans 1989

[@KingKumari]

A hip hop legend...

[@nyspice1966]

Love his story.

[@mariomiguelito5579]

Such an inspiration.

[@1GQ_gent]

Reminds me of the Black gentleman whom created the recipe for Jack Daniels our beloved whiskey

[@catrinamalloy6876]

I heard that!Stay sleep lol 😂BigUps Brother!My family is in Harlem.

[@harrymay5987]

Funny how his story as a black fashion designer differs from that of Ralph Lauren's and the like.

[@ghostlife3931]

I wonder what's the end game with these fashion people be careful dapper not everything that shines is gold.

[@andreaalmendarez1635]

Much respect keep the blessing coming

[@dexterjames6768]

Dapper Dan keep moving forward.

[@qbconnect]

We rocked Dapper Dan even in the deep south back in the 80's. Never knew what happened to him. It's great to see him have a full revival of his career. SIDE NOTE,, they even stole his name back in the day & started calling John Gotti the 'Dapper Don' of the mafia

[@katyarnold6757]

Congratulations!! to Dapper Dan for paving the way for other african americans designers in high end fashion. This story is a true american rags to riches story. God bless you! Mr. Dapper Dan.

[@smoothoperator9845]

If I am dreaming somebody wake me up..Dapper Dan!

[@msjusstyce4904]

I remember those days still have my DAPPER DAN CLOTHING!!! BRORHA BAD!! and yes when i wear my leather i still get compliments!!! He is truly deserved of mainstream success. Knowing Dapper as i do.....oh he is definitely on the comeup!!! Smart moves just continue to watch him!!! ♥️♥️♥️

[@wilfredoguzman6292]

This is great to see 🏆 glad to watch this in the making..🔜🔜🙏🏼 truly amazing..hats off.🔲🔳🔶🔷...Dan won

[@babaken4358]

I saw dapper in Harlem. Nice guy

[@TodayismyBirthday923]

If Gucci wouldn't have designed that sweater they wouldn't be knocking at Dapper Dan door but I'm happy he's getting the recognition he deserves!!!

[@lionelkennedy1394]

Dapper Dan is an American treasure and an amazing success. I think his clothes and designs look really good. They're flashy but not ostentatious. Really sharp, colorful and clean.

[@opulenceautobuy8188]

Do ya thing ‘Dapper Dan’ King of fashion my day,,, ! Blessings

[@imhuemankeepURcolorsforcrayons]

We got this my Brother and Sister, anything we touch turns to gold. Let’s create our Generational Wealth!!! We have the buying power and we have the creativity to do anything!!!

[@neneberry3282]

It's a blessing just keep give him thank because you are blessed by him 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@johntucker9326]

?

[@realmart4740]

Love this mans story and persona seems like a great dude

[@clarencecolclough5141]

It's a fact that that was and is your blessing keep pushing my brother

[@RuralmoneyOfficial]

That sweater was meant to be an affront to Dapper Dan and the Royal Moors, which they patterned the Black Moor sweater. Their apology was an admission of guilt. Dan is creative. Gucci is just a glorified advertising agency like LV.

[@melindamullins9649]

Thanks for sharing this clip✌

[@nikkibass2280]

Lord I remember those Dapper Dan sweatsuits. He definitely use to frequent Baltimore in the 80’s.❤️❤️❤️way to go Boo❤️❤️❤️oh he came pass 4401 White Oak Ave baby.

[@latashamarie5656]

This makes my heart smile

[@BluBlackDaGod]

I still feel because of the blatant disrespect gucci did by making that sweater i didnt feel like buying NOTHING from them. But Dap is a great, a legend, the first to do it. I have to cop HIS creation of it

[@brooklynguy8744]

That's a blessing. Dapper Dan

[@SECRETCINEMALOSANGELES]

thank you ABOUT TIME HE GETS HIS DUE

[@linuswilliams5897]

I actually thought Virgil was first but this Guy made first collab with High designers..LEGENDARY..wow

[@idonotagree6993]

3:33 The Journey. The Creativity. The Passion. The Drive. #DapperDan

[@antoniopedro5795]

Legendary Master.

[@darthinvader2738]

When I was a kid, I didn't know who he was, but his name was dropped in several rap songs.

[@donavan4387]

Beautiful story.

[@katbrax8622]

Congratulations Dapper Dan. God Bless.

[@nranderson778]

A Legend.

[@ricklongmore8143]

Good job Dap big up from Jamaica

[@moviesforrandy]

love michelle millers stories.

[@arnibah]

Dapper Dan looks great for 75.

[@nateawilliams7309]

Love ❤️ him!

[@MarcusLeepapi]

Very nice!!!

[@danaglass1265]

LEGEND since 1982.

[@Gmoneyluv4u]

He's a beaaaaast bro drive, ambition, temerity, focus, to continue on for a lot of us is difficult

[@lotusshona6367]

GUCCI WE ARE DONE YOUR CANCELLED

[@theoldschooldiva374]

Awesome, such an inspiration! 😊🙏🏿

[@ambylam]

4:23 how could someone NOT see that as blackface?? as soon as it popped up on my screen i said “what the f**k???!!” and i honestly know very little about the history of blackface and minstrel shows.

[@Charrisnemtblueprint]

Exactly..trying to cop racism as fashion! Not in this culture or any other!!!

[@SirenScorpio]

@jmarks881 it's all being addressed, past and present. But youre blind if you don't see the blackface connection and part of the willfully ignorant problem to deflect on the issue on the table. That happens (deflection) way to often in many occurrences but it's specifically why the black community is sore/sensitive on the topics along with racism still being alive and well.

[@healed2011]

jmarks881 It is not a “perception”. Maybe you need to go back and look at how Black people were “caricaturized”. That was done intentionally. Who wears a sweater over their mouth?

[@Luvyatilyouactup]

Great story! Dapper is the man!!!

[@donaldraife8099]

Inspiring

[@YouAdii]

At 76 Dapper Dan has done what he was destined to do on this earth. Pay homage, and figure out what you are going to do contribute.

[@HARLEMHEFNER]

When I was younger my pops kept me in dapper Dan Harlem life

[@ariefraiser140]

Dapper Dan is similar to hiphop in which he took mainstream clothes like hiphop does beats and created art.