In 'Dapper Dan: Made in Harlem', Daniel R. Day chronicles the captivating journey of a fashion icon who transformed the streets of Harlem into a thriving hub of style and individuality. This compelling memoir reveals how Dapper Dan's bold designs and unyielding spirit challenged the boundaries of fashion, breaking barriers in the industry. Through his ingenious creations, he not only dressed the likes of hip-hop legends but also empowered a community to embrace their identity. As Day shares his story of resilience and creativity, readers are invited to explore the intersection of culture, fashion, and the hustle of Harlem life. Will Dapper Dan's legacy continue to inspire the next generation of trendsetters?
By Daniel R. Day
Published: 2019
""Style is not just about what you wear; it's an expression of who you are and where you come from.""
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “Dapper Dan is a legend, an icon, a beacon of inspiration to many in the Black community. His story isn’t just about fashion. It’s about tenacity, curiosity, artistry, hustle, love, and a singular determination to live our dreams out loud.”—Ava DuVernay, director of Selma, 13th, and A Wrinkle in Time NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY VANITY FAIR • DAPPER DAN NAMED ONE OF TIME’S 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN THE WORLD With his now-legendary store on 125th Street in Harlem, Dapper Dan pioneered high-end streetwear in the 1980s, remixing classic luxury-brand logos into his own innovative, glamorous designs. But before he reinvented haute couture, he was a hungry boy with holes in his shoes, a teen who daringly gambled drug dealers out of their money, and a young man in a prison cell who found nourishment in books. In this remarkable memoir, he tells his full story for the first time. Decade after decade, Dapper Dan discovered creative ways to flourish in a country designed to privilege certain Americans over others. He witnessed, profited from, and despised the rise of two drug epidemics. He invented stunningly bold credit card frauds that took him around the world. He paid neighborhood kids to jog with him in an effort to keep them out of the drug game. And when he turned his attention to fashion, he did so with the energy and curiosity with which he approaches all things: learning how to treat fur himself when no one would sell finished fur coats to a Black man; finding the best dressed hustler in the neighborhood and converting him into a customer; staying open twenty-four hours a day for nine years straight to meet demand; and, finally, emerging as a world-famous designer whose looks went on to define an era, dressing cultural icons including Eric B. and Rakim, Salt-N-Pepa, Big Daddy Kane, Mike Tyson, Alpo Martinez, LL Cool J, Jam Master Jay, Diddy, Naomi Campbell, and Jay-Z. By turns playful, poignant, thrilling, and inspiring, Dapper Dan: Made in Harlem is a high-stakes coming-of-age story spanning more than seventy years and set against the backdrop of an America where, as in the life of its narrator, the only constant is change. Praise for Dapper Dan: Made in Harlem “Dapper Dan is a true one of a kind, self-made, self-liberated, and the sharpest man you will ever see. He is couture himself.”—Marcus Samuelsson, New York Times bestselling author of Yes, Chef “What James Baldwin is to American literature, Dapper Dan is to American fashion. He is the ultimate success saga, an iconic fashion hero to multiple generations, fusing street with high sartorial elegance. He is pure American style.”—André Leon Talley, Vogue contributing editor and author
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“"Style is not just about what you wear; it's an expression of who you are and where you come from."”
Dapper Dan
By Daniel R. Day
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Daniel R. Day is an acclaimed author known for his gripping storytelling and profound character development. His notable works include 'The Echoing Silence' and 'Whispers of the Forgotten', both praised for their intricate plots and emotional depth. Day's writing style is characterized by vivid imagery and a lyrical prose that captivates readers, often exploring themes of loss, redemption, and the human experience.
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