Dapper Dan to Mentor VFILES Runway Designers

Last month, Gucci acknowledged the influence of the legendary Dapper Dan on the Italian luxury brand’s latest major collection. Now, a more recently-established fashion industry power player has linked up with the veteran innovator to help mentor some of its own runway designers. Continuing to utilize creative methods to build its team, VFILES has reached out to Dapper Dan to aid in the evolution of its most vital creators. Joining a lineage that includes influential industry figures such like Virgil Abloh and Pat McGrath, Dapper Dan has been selected to aid in the mentoring of VFILES’ runway architects.

“One of the biggest things about street style now is that there is a lot of gender fluidity,” Dapper Dan explains in a newly-released statement. “People are taking more risks, especially with color choices and silhouettes, which is really exciting because it allows for more possibilities and it is much different than the way things used to be… I like that, I like that whole scene and what’s taking place right now — the way it’s emerging, the way it’s developing. My mission with fashion is to help take it there!”

With Art + Commerce’s founder and managing director by his side, Dapper Dan will begin mentoring VFILES runway designers in the immediate future. To showcase the knowledge and artistic tools they have learned from the pair, the lucky designers will conduct a special VFILES runway show on September 6 at New York Fashion Week.

Earlier this month, VFILES collaborated with Billionaire Boys Club for a vibrant run of graphic t-shirts.