Gap has tapped a number of creatives for its spring campaign, which celebrates American style. Included in the lineup are supermodel Shalom Harlow, non-binary and trans-visibility artist Kai-Isaiah Jamal, and legendary designer Dapper Dan — the latter of which has reworked some of Gap’s signature pieces to coincide with the campaign launch.
There may be no better example of American fashion than Dapper Dan: His work in the late ‘80s and ‘90s laid the foundation for hip hop-inspired style, modifying traditional luxury products to create new pieces centered around logos and bold silhouettes. Known as the “king of knock-offs,” the Harlem designer faced a slew of copyright infringement lawsuits from designer brands, only to have them later partner with his namesake label later on: In 2018, Dapper Dan opened an invitation-only atelier with Gucci in a joint venture, with the luxury company supplying fabrics for his new creations. The designer doesn’t just embody American style — he helped influence what it is today.
