In my opinion, being fresh is more than clothes, shoes or shopping at the hottest stores. “Fresh” has a deeper meaning—one that has a history, stirs up a feeling, represents a person from the inside out. One person that embodies this definition is Harlem raised fashion pioneer, Dapper Dan. Dan started his career as a boutique owner in the 1980's specializing in custom clothing in the heart of what many recognize for being the fashion capital of the world, Harlem. After being denied by many designers to carry their clothes in his store, Dan pioneered his way through fashion to create his own. Many call him a legend; however, I call him the "Fashion God-Father". He's done custom clothes for street legends, athletes, and hip hop artist. If you were anybody who wanted to be fresh back then, you were calling Dapper Dan. Most notably Mike Tyson, LL Cool J, Eric B and Rakim and a plethora of other well-known celebrities have been known to wear the fashionable styling of Dapper Dan. Now a days, many trends of custom clothing have evolved from his teachings. When you think about this culture, you can't help but to think about the elements that helped to make it. Fashion is one of those things that has helped carry hip hop to where it is today and Dapper Dan is an intricate part of the history that makes fashion as we know it today. As always, enjoy and stay fresh!!
Dapper Dan in front of his boutique in Harlem.
Dapper Dan and LL Cool J.
Salt-N-Pepa with original Dapper Dan jackets.
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