- Within this poverty, he says, there is a strong desire to assert and prove that Africans can be stylish. "This is not what we usually see in the media. Plus, they are true gentlemen: they are gentle and polite.” The Sapeurs, in his view, have transformed clothing into an art form.
Daniele Tamagni, an Italian photographer first published his book 'Gentlemen of Bancongo,' in late 2009. The London and Naples based photographer travelled to the African republic of Congo to photograph the Sapeurs. The Sapeurs are men and even on occasion women that choose to follow by the culture of La SAPE, 'La Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes.' AKA,
'The Society of Ambianceurs and Elegant People.' Whereby they dress in a very stylish, rich and elegant manner even in surroundings of extreme poverty. This dress code first came about when the French where in power over Congo, and the European flair and style started to influence some of the natives sense of fashion.
In a way the men 'sapeurs,' like the ones pictured above would have been initially been trying to state the point that they are equal and just as dignified; through the clothes they wear and therefore the status they possess, as their predescessing European rulers. It's a form or regaining power and respect at a time when you have least control.
What is interesting about these photographs is the way the men act as a human oxymoron to their surrounding environment. Around them you can see poverty in everything, through the basic clothes people are wearing, to the dirt tarnished streets. Yet the Sapuers or shall I say 'Dandies,' still find it appropriate to constantly dress in such a manner. Even it means going without food or sleeping on the streets. This seems to be not just a dress code, but a moral one. As one sapuer says in Tamagni's book
2. “We respect other people, we don’t like war, we like peace, and we have a moral code that is very Christian.”
Well, whatever they are trying to do they sure do leave a touch of curiosity lingering in the air. So much so that they are invited to appear at weddings, birthdays and funerals. As they have become somewhat the local celebrities.
But this style isn't just present in Africa and Europe, its already headed into the mainstream with many 'real celebrities,' adorning the dandy dress code.
Take for instance P diddy's ex personal assistant Fonzworth bentley, who now runs his own MTV show called, ' From G's to Gent's.' Where he teaches so called 'thugs' and 'gangstas' how to dress and act like true gentlemen. With their style of dress being heavily influenced by Sapeurs and 19th century British Dandy men.
- 1. http://www.rnw.nl/africa/article/thank-god-i%E2%80%99m-elegant
-2.http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/06/fop-art-gentleman-of-the-bacongo/#more-41467
No comments:
Post a Comment