Dapper Dan Puts a New Spin on Logomania for His Latest Drop With Gap

It’s only right that Dapper Dan’s latest limited-edition collaboration for Gap is all about logomania: The legendary Harlem designer basically created the look that has inspired fashion for decades since.

“To thine own self, be true,” he says. “If I’m the father of logomania, I have to incorporate it.”

We’re inside Gap’s Harlem location, and he’s wearing a houndstooth hoodie from the latest drop, with a hat and the flipped-up collar of a white shirt peaking out. The designer almost always finds a way to center his beloved neighborhood in his work, and this is no different: The new Dapper Dan x Gap collection released a day early at this store, before becoming available online and at select locations. The campaign by Joshua Kissi features local creatives and changemakers, like restauranteur Melba Wilson, Last Poets member Felipe Luciano and the founders of The Brotherhood Sister Sol.

“For those who want to be bold, I got to give it to them bold,” he says.

The 18-piece collection spans apparel, bags and accessories. (For the first time, there’s also children’s clothing.) Sizes range from toddler to 3XL in adult, and prices from $25 to $128.

Dapper Dan x Gap — also known as Dap Gap — has become somewhat of a cultural phenomenon, arguably most recognizable for its viral “Dap” hoodies. The new capsule continues to riff on the look while playing with new colorways and details, like golden threads that give inscriptions extra shine and preppy stripes that create a collegiate aura. 

There’s also a repeating “Dap” monogram in this collection. But for Dapper Dan, it wasn’t just about playing with logos — he was thinking about symbols and how they can be reclaimed. 

“Remember Trayvon Martin? Remember the whole controversy about his hoodie? That burned a hole in my heart,” he reflects. “When Gap came to me, I thought about it. I have the opportunity to change how people perceive people of color in hoodies. I have the opportunity to destigmatize this concept of people of color wearing a hoodie.”

As he explains it, Dapper Dan wants hoodies to be not just comfortable garments, but also symbols of elegance. He said “yes” to Gap again because it meant he was saying “yes” to us.

After creating what practically became a blueprint for luxury streetwear, Dapper Dan says he now wants to take logomania “to a higher level.”

“I come at our people through colors and cuts — later on, I introduce symbols and then break down those symbols,” he explains. 

Dapper Dap x Gap’s latest is available to shop at 13 Gap locations across the country and on gap.com. Keep scrolling to see each item from the new collection.

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