Daniel R. Day (born August 8, 1944), known as Dapper Dan, is an American fashion designer and haberdasher from Harlem, New York.

[1] His store, Dapper Dan's Boutique, operated from 1982 to 1992 and is most associated with introducing high fashion to hip hop culture; its clientele includes Mike Tyson, Eric B.

[7] Notably, he invented a new process for screen printing onto leather, and would later also design jewelry and car interiors for luxury automobiles.

[13] The opening of his store in the early 1980s coincided with the crack cocaine epidemic and the rise of hip-hop music, both of which boosted his clientele.

Dan's trademark was his bold usage of logos from high-end luxury brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Fendi.

[further explanation needed][9] Dapper Dan's original boutique is now a chain school called Harlem Children's Zone Academy.

[14] Though his clothing was often referred to as streetwear, Day's early clients in the 1980s were inspired significantly by the fashion flamboyance of Rat Pack icons like Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. His main clientele were "hustlers and street people"[10]—including drug kingpin Alpo Martinez—some of whom even requested bullet-proof parkas and hats.

& Rakim who wore Dapper Dan's designs on the cover of their iconic albums Paid in Full (1987) and Follow The Leader (1988).

[13] He also created looks for The Fat Boys, Salt-N-Pepa, KRS-One, Bobby Brown, Jam Master Jay and Big Daddy Kane, as well as sports stars such as boxers Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather, and athlete Diane Dixon.

[16] Day's illegal use of logos in his custom-made designs led to counterfeiting raids and litigation, and ultimately the demise of his first store.

In 1988, Tyson got into a brawl with Mitch Green outside his store, which put Dapper Dan's in the media spotlight for the first time.

[10] In September 2006 to February 2007 the Museum of the City of New York Fashion, showcased Dapper Dan's samples in an exhibition called Black Styles Now.

[20] In 2017, with the support of Michele and Gucci CEO Marco Bizzarri, Day and the Italian brand partnered for a line of men's wear.

[11] Dapper Dan is now a board member for reviewing applications for the Gucci Changemakers North America Scholarship program.

& Rakim, LL Cool J, Big Daddy Kane and Salt-N-Pepa, essentially bridging the gap between hip-hop culture and luxury fashion.

[13] Additionally in 2019, he was referenced in the poem Dapper Dan Meets Petey Shooting Cee-lo by Willie Perdomo.

Sony Pictures has already bought the rights to a film adaptation, with comedian Jerrod Carmichael attached as screenwriter and producer.

In 2019 Dapper Dan was a guest judge on Project Runway for the street wear challenge; Season 17 Episode 5.