Dapper Dan: Made in Harlem

A Memoir

By: Daniel R. Day

Narrated by: Omari Hardwick, Daniel R. Day

New York Times best seller

“Dapper Dan is a legend, an icon, a beacon of inspiration to many in the Black community. His story isn’t just about fashion. It’s about tenacity, curiosity, artistry, hustle, love, and a singular determination to live our dreams out loud.” (Ava DuVernay, director of Selma, 13th, and A Wrinkle in Time)

Named one of the best books of the year by Vanity Fair

Dapper Dan named one of Time’s 100 most influential people in the world

With his now-legendary store on 125th Street in Harlem, Dapper Dan pioneered high-end streetwear in the 1980s, remixing classic luxury-brand logos into his own innovative, glamorous designs. But before he reinvented haute couture, he was a hungry boy with holes in his shoes, a teen who daringly gambled drug dealers out of their money, and a young man in a prison cell who found nourishment in books. In this remarkable memoir, he tells his full story for the first time.

Decade after decade, Dapper Dan discovered creative ways to flourish in a country designed to privilege certain Americans over others. He witnessed, profited from, and despised the rise of two drug epidemics. He invented stunningly bold credit card frauds that took him around the world. He paid neighborhood kids to jog with him in an effort to keep them out of the drug game. And when he turned his attention to fashion, he did so with the energy and curiosity with which he approaches all things: learning how to treat fur himself when no one would sell finished fur coats to a Black man; finding the best-dressed hustler in the neighborhood and converting him into a customer; staying open 24 hours a day for nine years straight to meet demand; and, finally, emerging as a world-famous designer whose looks went on to define an era, dressing cultural icons including Eric B. and Rakim, Salt-N-Pepa, Big Daddy Kane, Mike Tyson, Alpo Martinez, LL Cool J, Jam Master Jay, Diddy, Naomi Campbell, and Jay-Z.

By turns playful, poignant, thrilling, and inspiring, Dapper Dan: Made in Harlem is a high-stakes coming-of-age story spanning more than 70 years and set against the backdrop of an America where, as in the life of its narrator, the only constant is change.

Praise for Dapper Dan: Made in Harlem:

“Dapper Dan is a true one of a kind, self-made, self-liberated, and the sharpest man you will ever see. He is couture himself.” (Marcus Samuelsson, New York Times best-selling author of Yes, Chef)

“What James Baldwin is to American literature, Dapper Dan is to American fashion. He is the ultimate success saga, an iconic fashion hero to multiple generations, fusing street with high sartorial elegance. He is pure American style.” (André Leon Talley, Vogue contributing editor and author)

©2019 Daniel R. Day (P)2019 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“It’s easy now to take for granted the trail [Dapper Dan] blazed. . . . Detailed descriptions of his family’s tragic journey through poverty, the changing nature of his beloved and cursed neighborhood, and his adventures as a hustler are riveting.” (The New York Times)

“Dapper Dan is a blazing example of how, time after time, African American people have taken what others considered ‘nothing’ and, through sheer creativity and strong sense of self, made masterpieces. This incredible book captures his journey, his community, and his determination to create. Immerse yourself in the pages, and enjoy the opportunity to travel through a rare mind.” (Taraji P. Henson, Emmy- and Oscar-nominated actress)

“Dapper Dan is a dream maker from Harlem who carved out a piece of its royal cloth, sewed it up, and shared it with all of us, creating stars through his vision. Dap was there with the hood heroes and hood horrors, the joy, sunshine, and pain; he survived it all, and finally his book is hitting the streets, letting us all know how.” (Nas)

VERY WELL WRITTEN...

Great listen, I loved the way he told the story of his ups & downs!

Amazing!!!

Great story! Amazing history of Harlem and of Hiphop. The youth need to know these stories.

wow - what a history lesson

pulled together a history of economics for black community from a unique perspective as could only be told in this format

wow

what an amazing story and it is read beautifully. the influence dap has on the hop hop and clothing game is way under appreciated. this story is more than clothes

Great Book very informative

I really enjoyed this book interesting you won't put it down! I recommend all to read.

So worth the read!

Loved this book! Took me to Harlem mid 80s! Dapper Dan is an amazing soul and is so inspirational.

Eighties kid ...always heard of but never knew....

It was an inspiration story. Growing up in the eighties and nineties you always heard the name, but being from Cleveland, Ohio he was almost mythical. His life is paralleled with mine in some respects and this book opened my eyes and answered a lot of questions about the industry. I believe that its going to cut down on some future mistakes. I also felt Omari's reading was a strong asset and kept me engaged. Deepnthahouse... Clothing designer, Graphic Artist, Silkscreener. Cleveland, Ohio.

Definitely a great Listen, Triumph over adversity

The narrator had a great voice and told the authors powerful story well. This is a story about hunger, defeating the odds, and learning to thrive and flourish. It also touches on the power of early childhood education and having positive role models in the formulative years.

INSPIRATIONAL!!! UNIQUE!! SUAVE!!

I absolutely loved this book. I learned so much about Dapper Dan that I never knew. This book took me on a journey of Harlem, perseverance and style. I’m an artist, a Creative and it inspired me to dig deep and push forward in my industry. Most importantly it inspired me to stay true to who I am and stay educated in my craft. Not enough words to express the sheer Flyness of this memoir.🥰🥰🥰🥰

amazing story

incredible story being read by 1 of my favorite actors. I highly recommend this audiobook.