From 1982 until it closed in 1992, Dapper Dan's Boutique on 125th street in Harlem churned out clothes that have come to define an era. The boutique doubled as its own factory, and workers toiled around the clock to re-appropriate and remix the luxury designs of European houses that had flagship stores about 50 blocks south.
Dapper Dan used several techniques to hustle his way to the top, eventually becoming the king of hip-hop fashion. Dudes (and ladies) traveled far and wide to place personal orders, either getting custom pieces that were unique or asking for versions they had seen on their favorite rappers, athletes, drug dealers, etc. While Dapper Dan's blog is an excellent place to get nostalgic and excited, we scoured the Internet to find a collection of images that comprise Dapper Dan's Greatest Creations.
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The Dapper Dan storefront in Harlem in 1984
Dapper Dan (right) posing with customers from New Haven, CT
Rakim wearing a custom Gucci sweater and matching hat
LL Cool J performing in Dapper Dan in 1987
Mike Tyson showing off a custom sweater made for him in 1986
Salt-n-Pepa in customized Dapper Dan jackets
Eric B. & Rakim on the cover of the 1987 album Paid in Full
Bobby Brown in a Gucci one-of-one in 1988
Rob Base in a custom Dapper Dan creation
Former NBA player Waltery Berry posing in a custom Dapper Dan outfit
Rakim kitted out in a Dapper Dan jacket
Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock in head-to-toe Dapper Dan in 1988
LL Cool J in a custom piece with Dapper Dan
KRS-One in a full get-up from Dapper Dan
The Fat Boys all rocking Dapper Dan gear in 1987
Eric B. & Rakim on the Follow the Leader album cover, released in 1988
Mike Tyson with a customized piece from Dapper Dan
Big Daddy Kane and fans rocking Dapper Dan creations
The infamous drug dealer Alberto "Alpo" Martinez in 1988
Eric B. & Rakim photographed by Glen E. Friedman in 1987
Three brothers in customized Louis Vuitton and fur gear in 1988
Another shot of Alpo from the late '80s
Two looks from 1988
A Washington D.C. crew dipped in customized Gucci and Fendi
Jam Master Jay in 1986 in Dapper Dan from head-to-toe
