From Dapper to Dope: The Exquisite Style of Harlem Men
We’re celebrating some the sharpest dressers in the world.
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Sharpest Cats in Harlem - Think New York Fashion Week and Black History Month combined. "From Dapper to Dope," a dynamic multi-platform conversation hosted by MAD Free and Schomburg Center, celebrates the diversity, creativity and intelligence of self-expression of the most sharply dressed men found on the mean streets of Harlem. By Jazmine A. Ortiz (Photo: Anna Webber/Getty Images)
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The Man Behind the Photos - Image activist Michaela Angela Davis leads the conversation exploring identity, culture and style around original photos by Mangue Banzima of QUISTYLE. (Photo: Anna Webber/Getty Images)
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From His Angle - Through his work, photographer Mangue Banzima challenges the representations of Black men in main stream media by examining their unique styles and perceptions of fashion. (Photo: Anna Webber/Getty Images)
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Power Panel - Michaela Angela Davis joins an all-star style council including Bevy Smith, Emil Wilbekin, Guy Wood and Dapper Dan for a community discussion. Bevy, a self-proclaimed "little brown girl from Harlem" credits fashion icons such as Langston Hughes and Josephine Baker, as well as art, jazz and dance for shaping Harlem's style today. (Photo: Anna Webber/Getty Images)
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Define Yourself - During the talk, Michaela Angela Davis asks each member of the panel to define themselves. Emile Welkin makes a powerful statement, "I'm a Renaissance man, and I am a gay Black man." (Photo: Anna Webber/Getty Images)
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The Dapperest of Dudes - The ultimate menswear fashion slayer, Dapper Dan, talks about his OG status and how Harlem plays a critical role in his style choices. Of course he came "fresh to death" in an ox-blood red velvet/leather getup. (Photo: Anna Webber/Getty Images)
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Three Wise Men - This is the standout image from Mangue Banzima's work in From Dapper to Dope. The panel dubbed it the Sex and the City shot. (Photo: @MangueBanzima of @Quistyle)
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The View - In the audience, the view is just as sharp as it is on stage. (Photo: Anna Webber/Getty Images)
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Dressed to Kill - Snazzy, chic, dope, dapper, classy, flashy... The event is a sight to see with a room of handsome Black men dressed to kill. (Photo: Anna Webber/Getty Images)
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Barnabus Crosby - This dude proves that you can still have fashion on fleek, even in the wintertime. Take notes! He calls this "classic men's styling." (Photo: Anna Webber/Getty Images)
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Jonathan Bodrick - The whole look has character written all over it. "I like to mix it up. It depends on how I'm feeling for the day. My personality is outgoing. Once you hit the room, my hat alone starts a conversation. I like to be seen." (Photo: Anna Webber/Getty Images)
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Musa Jackson - All black, yes please! "Being born here (Harlem), my dad had amazing style. He knew Malcolm X. I just grew up around stylish people." (Photo: Anna Webber/Getty Images)
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JJ Valentin - Would you say yes to this mix? We asked JJ what sums up his style. "Personal creative growth." (Photo by Anna Webber/Getty Images)
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Ryan Young - This dude nails bright and bold right on the head. His go-to places to shop: Oswald Boating, Yves Saint Laurent and Peter Tosh.(Photo by Anna Webber/Getty Images)
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Erik Honesty - In case you were wondering, this is how you wear a cape. "Everyday life inspires personal style. I have my own vintage store called Cultured Couture."(Photo: Anna Webber/Getty Images)
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Jamele Ransom - Just give this entire ensemble a moment to sink in. We appreciate every piece he's sporting from head to toe. "I'm a creative, it's all innate."(Photo: Anna Webber/Getty Images)