Dapper Dan: Made in Harlem

A Memoir

By: Daniel R. Day

Narrated by: Omari Hardwick, Daniel R. Day

Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

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)

Textbook for the Ages

As a hip hop kid we loved Dapper Dan. He exemplifies style and savoir -faire. The book provides a guidance map into the ingenuity of entrepreneurship, the purpose of Spirituality and the importance of relationship building. Buy this book for your children to hear how you become a Master of your life.

Memoir junkie

This is one of the best read and performed memoirs! I’ve learned so much and took notes-thanks for sharing your story, Dapper Dan!

I couldn't stop listening!

I truly enjoyed listening to Dapper Dan's memoir! I couldn't stop listening to this book. Omari Hardwick's reading was very engaging and the emotion he shared was felt behind each and every word. I learned so much about Dap and have so much respect for him. A must read to those who enjoy the wisdom of those that have come before us!

Incredible and inspirational book!

I absolutely loved this book. I knew about Dapper Dan and knew many people who wore his clothes. It was great hearing his story read by Omari!

An Amazing Read!!

I truly enjoyed this book narrated by none other (Ghost). This book tells the story of so many in the beginning of urban life but ends where few have the mindset to finish. It's a great book about a great legend!!

Much Respect.

Enjoyed.

Much Respect Mr. Dapper Dan, You Are A Black American Icon. A Good Book!!

Fascinating, entertaining and motivating

The story is exceptional. Exactly what I was looking for as an entrepreneur trying to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. The narration was on point. I immediately told all of my boys to get this joint ASAP!

Thanks for the education of Dapper Dan

I'd heard of Dapper Dan but wanted to know more about him! This book was very detailed and entertaining. The book shows you that it's not how you start but how you finish and that just because obstacles get in your way you keep going! This needs to be a movie.

Great book

This book is made for the hustler the grinder the one who never quits a story of a man with a vision THANK YOU FOR THIS READ

Great story

Very informative and inspiring. The author threaded together 7 decades of of Harlem history while demonstrating how research, creativity, and perseverance helped him stay in the neighborhood he loved doing the thing he loved to do.