Prolific fashion designer Dapper Dan did not mince words when asked why Black-owned fashion houses don't receive the same support as high-end brands. Speaking with morning showThe Breakfast Club on Wednesday, the 74-year-old also had plenty to say about the future of fashion and culture.
Why do we value these high-end fashion brands more than black-owned businesses? #DapperDan
pic.twitter.com/Dy2eCo1TjB— The Breakfast Club (@breakfastclubam) July 11, 2019
"People want what they can't get," he responded. "The mentality associated with luxury and aspiration has to do with things that people can't afford."
Born Daniel Day, Dapper Dan rose to prominence in the 1980s for his adaption of designer pieces that appealed to New York's hip-hop culture. The Harlem native eventually caught the attention of Gucci which manifested into a long-term partnership with the high-end line.
He then attributed the success of these established designers to their ability to develop apparel that's attractive to the average buyer.
"It takes time to get the integrity and the respect for a brand," he added. "I’m not going after what we buy. I'm not going to argue with black people in Harlem, or anywhere in the U.S., about whether you want to buy luxury. Our culture is so powerful and selling around the world, I want to get to where they selling it at."
The clothier then referenced his own prestige in the industry. "We are the influencers, and our ability to influence goes around the world. I’m not concentrating on just getting this black money here. Why I can't get that global money if I have that global culture."
As one could imagine, his remarks have those online chiming in.
Dapper Dan did an interview and it really made me think how wealthy our community would be had we been able to think ahead. Hip-hop is a culture that belongs to us and yet we allowed people to exploit that shit instead of being careful about the business of it all.
— brenda meeks. (@_trentonnn) July 11, 2019
I think the high end brands aka white brands got a head start so they’re seen as legacy and iconic, but the black brands are seen as just new and trendy
— Freedom Summer Instrumentals (@MAYTRACKS) July 11, 2019
Bruh I didn’t think people understand the lineage of culture Dan is speaking on in this interview lol.
Dapper Dan and drug dealers who bought from him and the same dealers who inspired the FIRST and every rapper since then created the culture and almost everything you see today.
— Crumbs to Bricks (@lyemcfly) July 11, 2019
Someone did play devil's advocate on Dap's influence, drawing an interesting comparison to his current relevancy in the trade.
I know folks will disagree, but Dapper Dan is part of the “problem”… big fashion brands/houses use him to “revitalize” their brands w/ in the “urban market”.
Sorta like a club promoter for the big fashion houses
— Black Wolverine (@TheKolaNut) July 11, 2019
One tweeter also made an excellent point regarding Rihanna's newly released "Fenty" line under luxury brand Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH).
Buying from luxury fashion houses give people exclusivity that makes them rare or unique Now we can have the best of both worlds with @rihanna’s new luxury fashion brand @FentyOfficial exclusive & black owned ✊????
— Journey????Jewels ® ???????? (@JourneyJewelz) July 11, 2019
As for the Gucci boycott that Black celebrities like T.I. and Waka Flocka Flame advocated for in February, Dapper Dan questioned what benefit would come from such actions. As Blavity previously reported, the Italian label faced a slew of controversy after several failed designs had critics calling the corporation racist.
"What can we get out of this?" he questioned. "We do a boycott, this will be the first boycott people of color, Black people have ever had in America that we get zero results. That's too damn stupid."
Get into his entire thoughts below.
