The Council of Fashion Designers of America awarded Dapper Dan its highest honor at the CFDA Awards 2021. He became the first Black designer to receive the coveted Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award. The only designer to earn the award without first having a formal runway show, Dapper Dan used a celebrities as the most powerful avenue for his creations.

Discredited by the fashion houses and legends in the industry for decades, Dapper Dan was never invited to the table. He is only now, in recent years, receiving his due respect. Here is a little history on how Daniel Day became Dapper Dan.

Featured Image via CFDA