Abstract
This paper examines the relationship between Italian fashion and American hip hop culture during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with special attention to the Florentine brand Gucci. This project of-fers an overview that explores the respective histories of both the brand and genre to identify the con-gruencies that made Gucci a staple among hip hop artists and their audiences. Analysis draws from a variety of sources including articles, press materials, music videos, advertisements, and red carpet ap-pearances to tell the story of how Gucci became so visible in hip hop. A particular focus will be placed on Harlem designer Dapper Dan, whose work popularized Gucci amongst members of the hip hop community.
Recommended Citation
Trotman, Jacquelyn R.
(2025)
"Dapper Dreams: Gucci and the American Hip Hop Scene, 1980s-1990s,"
The Crown: Syracuse Honors Research Journal: Vol. 2, Article 6.
Available at:
https://surface.syr.edu/thecrown/vol2/iss1/6