Fashion innovator and haberdasher Dapper Dan will be the featured speaker at North Carolina Central University’s (NCCU) Rock the Lyceum lecture series at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19.
The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place in the B.N. Duke Auditorium on campus. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
With his influential boutique located in Harlem, New York, opening in 1982, Dapper Dan, born Daniel Day, is known as one of the pioneers of early 1980s streetwear and hip-hop fashion. Known for using luxury branding from Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Fendi, Day incorporated logos into suits, leather coats, hats and car interiors.
Quickly gaining popularity, he went on to outfit entertainers and celebrities, including Eric B. and Rakim, LL Cool J, Salt-N-Pepa, Missy Elliot, JAY-Z, Aaliyah, Diddy, Floyd Mayweather and others. In 1992, Day was forced to close his store after luxury brand Fendi sued him for utilizing their logo without permission.
Day’s creativity continued to inspire, as luxury brands noticed the popularity of his designs. In a 2017 Gucci fashion show, creative director Alessandro Michele released a puffy-sleeved logo bomber jacket nearly identical to Day’s creation for Olympic gold-medalist runner Diane Dixon in 1989. Shortly after, Gucci partnered with Day to create an exclusive collection bearing a newly-designed Gucci logo. The team also unveiled the Dapper Dan Harlem atelier studio, paying homage to Day’s original boutique.
The Rock the Lyceum lecture series is hosted by NCCU’s Office of Student Engagement and Leadership, along with the Lyceum committee. The series brings in several of the nation’s top entrepreneurs and thought-leaders to engage students in relevant topics in education, entertainment, politics and social justice. Past speakers include Keke Palmer, Angela Rye, Clifford “T.I.” Harris, Michael Vick, Roland Martin and Phylicia Rashad.
Public parking for the event is available at the Latham Parking Deck, 705 E. Lawson St. For more information, contact the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership at 919-530-5436.
MEDIA NOTE: Dapper Dan is available for interviews on Feb. 19, from 6:15 to 6:45 p.m. For parking reservations or to schedule an interview with Dapper Dan, please contact Chelsey Holts at [email protected] or 919-530-7474.
