The famous PUMA brand is back on the sportswear scene with collabs with popular brands like SNS, OVERKILL and JJJJound. For its new opus, the German equipment manufacturer has teamed up with Harlem legend DAPPER DAN.
In the 1980s, a self-taught Harlem man nicknamed Dapper Dan dressed the hip-hop scene before closing his store under pressure from brands accusing him of counterfeiting. Years later, it was these major labels that drew inspiration from the New Yorker’s bold style for their new collections.
Michael Burke, the president of Vuitton explained in an interview : « You knew, in the 1980s in Harlem, Dapper Dan? He copied Vuitton thirty years ago and hijacked the logo of our trunks to make clothes. A little later, in 1996, for the Monogram’s centenary, it was his aesthetic that inspired our advertising campaign with Grandmaster Flash. In creation, there is always someone before you, a previous generation that influences you… »
Earlier this year, Dapper Dan joined the PUMA team as an ambassador as part of « The Collective », a team of creatives and influencers who will participate in the brand’s campaigns and help young designers develop their craft.
The Harlem-based fashion icon is now releasing his first collaborative collection, which is available exclusively through the shop of another New York legend, but this time from the Queens : Ronnie Fieg and his store Kith.
The PUMA x Dapper Dan collection was first seen in September at PUMA’s FUTROGRADE show at New York Fashion Week. It pays homage to the hip hop culture that was democratized by Dapper Dan in the 80s, a time when PUMA was also a streetwear brand.
It consists of 4 classic pieces reworked by Dapper Dan in his « logomania » style and with luxury influences : the T7 tracksuit, a blue t-shirt, and a special « 40th anniversary » pair of Clyde. These sportswear items feature details taken from the top fashion brands.
The Harlem designer designed a unique monogram called « Rudagon », which combines blue, red and orange, to make a statement about the special look of the items in this collection. This pattern covers the tracksuit set, which also features the exclusive blue rhinestone « DDP » (Dapper Dan Puma) logo, and the panels of the Clyde. This exclusive version helps celebrate the 40th anniversary of the model. It consists os a black premium leather base, small rhinestones at the iconic side stripe, an embroidered puma on the tongue, gold branding details, and a gold metallic plate on the back of the heel. An all-black sole harmoniously finalizes the luxurious « street-chic » look of the collab. To complete the outfit, the designer offers us a short-sleeved blue velvet t-shirt, adorned with the co-branding in tone on tone on the chest and back.
The Dapper Dan x Puma collection is available since October 29, 2022 via KITH, in stores, online and on the app. Prices range from $70 for the t-shirt to $300 for the tracksuit jacket. Hurry up !
