Copy Cat: Did Gucci Steal A Design From Dapper Dan?

(Photo Credit: Larry Busacca / Getty Images Entertainment)

The fashion world (and all of Harlem) is up in arms over a design that Gucci recently released in their 2018 Cruise collection that looks very similar to a design created by Harlem-native designer, Dapper Dan, a few decades ago.

Props and respect to the legendary Harlem tailor Dapper Dan whose brilliant Louis Vuitton “knockoff” jacket from the 80’s….was “knocked off” by Gucci for the resort collection shown in Florence yesterday. @dapperdanharlem #dapperdan #gucci @gucci

A post shared by Kevin Harry (@mrkevinharry) on May 30, 2017 at 7:44am PDT

Of course, the internet addressed the issue head-on with jokes:

???

A post shared by Majic 1075/975 (@majicatl) on May 31, 2017 at 6:49am PDT

Someone on Gucci’s social media team must have noticed the online commotion because this was later posted:

Inside the #GucciCruise18 collection by #AlessandroMichele, a look that celebrates an iconic style of hip-hop fashion culture from the 80s—a plush jacket featuring puffy sleeves monogrammed in GG motif. Legendary tailor Dapper Dan @dapperdanharlem influenced the trend by making such custom pieces for his rapper and athlete clients out of logos from famous fashion houses, including #Gucci. In a homage to Dapper Dan, this jacket worn with jeans and a lurex headpiece is flanked with a striped knit with cross-stitch embroidery, cotton shorts and a georgette gown with trompe l’oeil details.

A post shared by Gucci (@gucci) on May 31, 2017 at 10:22am PDT

Here is the problem: This happens WAYYY too often. Our ideas, our style, our culture get stolen and mass produced, leaving us without a check and the proper recognition (just like the above “iffy” statement). In other words, do better.