Dapper Dan and his contributions to fashion will be honored at the 2021 CFDA Awards. According to Vogue, the Harlem designer will receive the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award when the annual event makes its return in November.
“Isn’t it ironic how the fashion world says that Dapper Dan won the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award, without ever having a runway show?” he wrote on Wednesday (Sept. 15) following the announcement from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. “The streets of Harlem have been my runway for 35 years. Isn’t that where the major luxury brands got their inspiration from? Maybe logo-mania is an illusion. Thank you Harlem, I love you!”
Dapper Dan made a name for himself in the 80s and 90s when he created and sold streetwear featuring the logos of luxury brands, including Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Fendi. He eventually garnered clientele that consisted of wealthy individuals and emcees in the area but was eventually forced to close up shop after Mike Tyson fought Mitch Green in front of his Harlem store.
After years of remaining low key, the Harlem star made his back into the spotlight, earning love and attention beyond the hip hop world. In 2017, he teamed up with Gucci for a ready-to-wear collection. Most recently, he partnered with the NFL to design a limited drop that includes a hoodie, bucket hat and collectible Pepsi, all of which are adorned with a custom Pepsi x Dapper Dan logo.
“Harnessing the Dapper Dan brand to Gucci, mounted it on a global track,” the fashion legend wrote in his post. “Now, the whole world knows what Harlem always knew: That the Dapper Dan brand is a thoroughbred brand.”
Dapper Dan is set to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award on Nov. 10. The honor is a history-making one as it is the first time the CFDA will honor a designer who’s never had a solo fashion show. Dapper Dan is also the first Black designer to be named the recipient of the award.
See his post below.