Fashion Icons of Harlem

by A Collier
harlem fashion

Fashion Icons of Harlem

Harlem is world-renowned for its contributions to many creative, artistic, and social justice icons. So of course it’s no surprise that Harlem also boasts a number of amazing fashion icons, too! Who do you think has the hottest style?

harlem fashion

Harlem is world-renowned for its contributions to many creative, artistic, and social justice icons. So of course it’s no surprise that Harlem also boasts a number of amazing fashion icons, too! Who do you think has the hottest style?

Harlem is world-renowned for its contributions to many creative, artistic, and social justice icons. So of course it’s no surprise that Harlem also boasts a number of amazing fashion icons, too!

Who do you think has the hottest style?

Dapper Dan

Dapper Dan is a fashion designer and haberdasher, born in Harlem in 1944. His dreams of being a clothier started in the 1970s and before, but it wasn’t until the 1980s-90s that he was able to grow his brand. He’s clothed the likes of LL Cool J, Salt-N-Pepa, Bobby Brown, Mike Tyson, Jay-Z and many more. He is considered the main influence for the introduction of hip-hop to high fashion.

With his now-legendary high-end store in Harlem, Dapper Dan was the pioneer of high-end streetwear in the 1980s, remixing classic luxury-brand logos into his own innovative, glamorous designs.

He is a mainstay as a Harlem icon, pushing through hardships and setbacks to come back stronger than ever. G Keith Alexander recently sat down to talk to Dapper Dan on his podcast, “What’s Hot! HarlemAmerica with G Keith Alexander” – you can listen on-demand here.

Pat Cleveland

Pat Cleveland was raised in East Harlem and became the world’s first black supermodel. She was discovered while on a subway platform with a friend on their way to class. She has worked with designers and celebrity artists like Oscar de la Renta, Yves St Laurent, and Andy Warhol.

After raising two children she came back to the modeling industry and has seen success as a model and even wrote a memoir. Watch some of her high-energy runway performances here.

Lana Turner

Lana Turner is another gorgeous Harlem-born stylist and fashion icon, known for her amazing collection of vintage clothing, which includes more than 500 hats. She has said she takes her fashion techniques from her parents, and always shows up in her Sunday Best.

She also is a great study of how faith and fashion coexist in Harlem. Hear her life and story from Lana herself here.

Kwame Braithwaite

Have you ever heard the phrase “Black is beautiful?” You can thank Kwame Braithwaite for popularizing that during the Civil Rights movement. Though Kwame was born in Brooklyn, he’s most famous for his photography and documentation of Harlem and Africa.

He created and used a unique photo processing technique that made Black skin pop in photos. He also hosted pageants and staged the first pageants that featured all Black models. Take a look at some of his amazing work here.

The World Needs More Black Icons

HarlemAmerica Digital Network wants to help you become your industry’s next Black icon! Check out our website to learn more about our small business membership packages and to find out more about hosting your own podcast with a full production team to support you.

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