Introducing the Gucci x Dapper Dan collection, taking inspiration from archive imagery from the ’80s showing custom pieces, shot in and around the streets of Harlem New York. The images feature young personalities from the neighborhood together with models wearing the ready-to-wear and accessories of the collection.

Dapper Dan, born Daniel Day, built up a cult following from his original Harlem shop on 125th Street in the Eighties and early Nineties. He is known for making one-off outfits for a host of hip-hop stars, street legends and athletes including artists Bobby Brown, LL Cool J, Eric B. & Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Salt-N-Pepa, and boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Known for using all-over logos in his original designs, screen-printed leather features the GG logo is key here. Appliqué is also used on the chests and backs of pieces, with Gucci designs embellishing the original decorations. Gold printed python is employed as a trim, to reference Dap’s original use of gold leather, and ciniglia jersey replicates the look and feel of his tracksuits of the Eighties. Denim has late-Eighties/early-Nineties washes and fits, and canvas jackets use the GG jacquard, while a light nappa leather is colored gold.

The collaboration features the phrase E PLURIBUS UNUM. Michele asked Dan to come up with some words that he felt would represent the spirit of the collection. He responded with this quote, which is Latin for “Out of many, one”, and is the motto of the United States.

Large eyewear pieces have Swarovski crystal embellishments, including a Dapper Dan logo in stones on the arms. Gold medallions on “woven” gold chains feature lion heads and the face of a bearded Greek god. Bright GG-logo trainers and high-tops sport the House web stripe in green-red-green, navy-red-navy or a gold-black-gold version.

Coloured backpacks and belt bags (in red, brown or black) come in all-over GG-logo material with a variety of details: interlocking GG motifs and a gold Gucci logo. Silk squares exhibiting the Gucci Flora pattern have a border with Dapper Dan’s name running around it, and thin cravats are covered in tiny interlocking G. A baseball cap, bucket hat and knitted hats also feature this pattern, while socks are adorned with a Gucci logo. While much of the collection is unisex, some of the ready-to-wear pieces of clothing are gender-specific.

Shop the collection here.