One of my fashion model is Dapper Dan also know as “Harlem King Fashion” who’s an African-American fashion designer from Harlem. I say he’s a huge influencer for me because he comes from where I’m from and knowing that gives me a lot of motivation. He grew up very poor and started off by selling shop lifting clothes out of his car and saw clothing as a way out. He wanted to be a clothing wholesaler but most companies turned him down because of his race or the location he was located in. He saw that luxury brands weren’t making clothes that cater to or fit many black customers, so he took matters into his own hand and made them himself. He trademarked and took the logo from luxury designers and printed bootleg versions on leather. His designs defined the look of Hip-Hop during the 80’s and 90’s.
You cannot separate Dapper Dan’s fashion story from his Hip Hop story; that’s what made him evolve over the years. When many artist and celebrities were wearing his brand, companies were very upset and tried to erase him. The designers he knocked off eventually came knocking with an assistant from federal marshals and they broke him causing him to go into poverty. He went from selling clothes out his trunk to selling clothes in a three story building to going back to sell clothes on the street. Dapper Dan once said, “he didn’t do knock offs, he did knock ups” opening opportunities for others to never be afraid of the outcomes but be ready for the results. That takes a lot of discouragement and pride but that still didn’t stop him and through all that his style change fashion forever. In 2017 Gucci debuted a runway look that made direct visual reference to an outfit Dan made in 1989. They never gave him credit which created an uproar on twitter and Gucci made amends to team up with Dan to create high fashion. Now he has a clothes partnership with Gucci and Book deal about fashion with random house. One thing about Dan that really stands out to me is no matter what, he will always stay true to his culture and neighborhood. He have the opportunity to move his business to LA, France, or Italy but he deicides to keep it right where started, which is Harlem. In my eyes he’s a Harlem Legend and a man who single handily brought fashion to the hood.
Another one of my role models is Fatima B. who’s a celebrity stylist and styled many artist such as the late Nipsey Hussle, The Weekend, 21 savage, Nicki Minaj, Meek Mill, and much more also grew up in Harlem and still a current resident. She spent her early years living in Japan and trotting all over Asia gave her the opportunity to develop different sense of style. Working as a receptionist at an accounting firm, she begin to think twice about her career decision when many people would compliment her style and tell her she should consider styling since her style was so exceptional. She eventually made her way into the industry through assisting and interning for celebrity stylists, trading free labor in exchange for lessons in the craft. After assisting for two years, Fatima’s network grew and she worked as a fashion editor for the hip-hop magazine Black Beat and Right On! Later on she expanded her work and craft and became a celebrity stylist herself. From her previous life she worked with all different celebrities, but now she only style men and work with five different people since its only her and no assistant. From reading and following Fatima B. through social media, she reminds me of myself. she doesn’t like to be in front of the camera, she rather stay home whenever she can get away from work, and she’s also shy. By reading stories about her, I can tell she’s a behind the scene person which is also definitely me. Both influencers definitely influenced me till this day and gave me hope to keep pushing myself. Hard work pays off so now it depends on me how far I’m willing to go.
