Dapper Dan: Made in Harlem: A Memoir
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
Reviews (392)
Everyone needs to read this book
I started reading as soon as the book arrived and just couldn’t put it down. Such a fascinating and inspiring memoir. Whether or not you know anything about fashion and whether or not you’re familiar with Dapper Dan, his story is one that everyone should read. Highly recommended.
Young Liberian American Living in Philadelphia
Dan, if you read this review, thanks for your insight and encouragement. Your breakfast club interview motivated me to purchase your book. During your interview you reminded me of an FOI old timer who used to advise me on life. I encourage anyone who's open minded to purchase this book. Like his clothing, Dan isn't for everybody but represents a culture that is too often misunderstood. If you know, you know. Many great book were mentioned in this book as well. Thanks
Phenonmenal book and great story
This book is great! I learned so much about the life of Dapper Dan that I had no clue about. I do not want to spoil any parts of this book but it definatey fills in the generational gap in the Black community. I knew about some of the events going on in the past but my uncles and family members concealed alot of information from us in hopes we didnt fall down that same path. This book fills in a huge block of information for me and details the pitfuls so I can avoid making the same mistake! We need more inspirational figures to step forward in our community to do the same to help inspire the youth so Random House yall need to do memoirs on everyone lol! Im so blessed to read this book because I am a graphic designer and its given me motivation to keep on pushing! Thank you for your Memoir Dapper Dan!
Ideas(Art, Science, Knowledge etc..) Are Worth Sharing
I liked the memories of NYC that Dap talked about and how it brought me back to some of my suppressed memories of where I came from. I left NYC several months after the Mike Tyson and Mitch Green fight which the news spread to Jamaica Queens several hours before it hit the press. I recall riding the subway to the Mandala Center as a kid in the early 80’s to pay my bill and “Somehow Find Myself!” And looking at the art in the abandoned stations along the way, some of the gangs in the subway still wore Lee Jeans Jackets wither their Logos on the back. I’m very lucky they picked other people to rob(I have suppressed those memories) the days I saw them. The strung out people I saw after exiting the Triborough Bridge(driving with a permit then) and how much potential they had in their eyes but also with their same look how much pain they showed. Too much to even list, before I finished Dap’s book I said to myself: “How did I make it this far and why me???” Thank you Dap for also reminding me that one must never relax!!! “We are being Hustled Every Day” and just when we think 2016 is going to be a good year reflect on the years gone by...
More than fashion gratification
This is an excellent book. Those seeking fashion will find enough, but Mr. Day clearly has a command of good writing from his feverish interest in books and history as a reporter. Without his fashion success this would still be a well written and compelling book about a man in the crucible of Renaissance Harlem cataloguing a historic time in American history from a deeply personal and poignant perspective.
…the most dangerous black man in America
Two quotes cited in the pages of Dapper Dan: Made in Harlem '…the most dangerous black man in America [is] the ghetto hustler…[he] has less respect for the white power structure…is internally restrained by nothing: no religion, no concept of morality, no civic responsibility, no fear…he is out there constantly preying upon others, probing for any human weakness…' quoted from The Autobiography of Malcolm X. “Anyone who has ever struggled with poverty knows how extremely expensive it is to be poor.” --- James Baldwin Attempting to escape the vicious cycle of poverty and bigotry in America by sheer gut determination is a major part of Daniel Day’s life story as it was for Malcolm X and James Baldwin. Practically three quarters of his memoir is a gripping tale of Day’s street hustles: dice, drugs, credit card “re-makes” (fascinating!). Finally, he finds his Fashion niche and, for a while, stays below the radar of Gucci and Louis Vuitton whose logos he is exploiting. Bravo to Dapper Dan for surviving and writing this riveting memoir!
Life Lessons To Be Had.
I thoughrouly enjoyed this book. Dapper Dan -whom I will refer to from this point as Mr. Day- gives his readers a chance to expericene life in the years past through his eyes growing up in Harlem. There are a myriad of life lessons Mr. Day shares, he not only talks about his triumphs but also share his defeats and regrets in life; that stuck with me the most. Without giving too much away, I think the life and experiences Mr. Day had alone is enough reason to read this book, whether you're a fan of his or not.
A walk through underground branding genius
Dapper Dan is a hiphop legend. To read his story, his childhood amd inspirations was an honor. I would recommend this book to hip hop lovers and historians, but also lovers of fashion, and those working inside the industry. To hear how such an iconic move thinks and plans or doesnt plan his next move, to sit with Mr Dapper, was like listening to a successful elder give gems of not only life, culture, and fashion, but of life amd survival. Also interesting was the mention of Justice Sotomayor whom in her books speaks of her early law career in the fashion/trademark world. To read the artiste perspective was interesting. Whether one agrees or not with Mr Dappers perspective on what his styling amd designs were, be it trademark infringement or custom design, to walk with him through the times, era, and culture of the 40s through modern business and culture, is a widening of understanding and reasoning in humanity and business. He did what he did because resources were few. He is who he is because he made resources where there otherwise were none. Nothing but respect.
The real 'Horatio Alger' Story for us Harlemites and beyond!!!
Loved the recollections of family life in Harlem, his foundation, his roots and how Daniel Day was determined to show his true expression to the world. This book took me back to 117th Street, catholic school, the scramblers, the fly-girls, Saturday afternoons on125th street where record stores played music from outdoor speakers, being fresh pressed and dressed with immutable style, rocking fashion all your own and being 'cleaner than the Board of Health'. This book is a gem. Daniel Day is a gem. God speed to him and his innate genius. Oh...and by the way...get this book!!!
Best Memoir Ever!!!
Man... What can i say. This is hands down my favorite Memoir i have ever put my eyes on. I bought it on audible which is 1 credit. I listened to the entire memoir 8 times. I then bought the book just to have the physical copy. Man listening to this i learned soo much. I learned about how areas like harlem came about, it never occured to me that people from harlem were actually made up of people from the south. Crazy how after the war I never thought that people from the south would spread out to the north, that should've been obvious. Your energy and how you expressed your life story was captivating and sucked me in. Love the Memoir and your journey!!!
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