Gentlemen of Bacongo provides a fascinating insight to the vibrant street style of the 'Sapeurs', the elegant and immaculately dressed dandies from the heart of the Congo.The Sapeurs today belong to 'La SAPE' (Societe des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Elegantes) - one of the world's most exclusive clubs. Members have their own code of honour, codes of professional conduct and strict notions of morality. It is a world within a world within a city.
Designer brands of suits and accessories are important to sapeurs, and they work hard to save as much money as they can to dedicate to the most beautiful suits and accessories they can find. But their amazing style is also based on strict rules of elegance, beauty and harmony of colours. They dress to impress, whilst also being ambassadors of etiquette, peace and music, as well as the essence of style. The result is a unique and inspiring style, that has captured the imagination of people all over the world - the sapeurs are now truly the kings of elegance.
Introduction written by Paul Smith, one of the world's most renowned and influential menswear designers. The cover image was also chosen for Paul Smith's London Fashion Week show invitation for September 09.
Preface written by Paul Goodwin - Cross Cultural Curator, Tate Gallery, London
The arrival of the French and Belgians to the Congo, at
the beginning of the 20th Century, brought along the myth
of Parisian elegance among the Congolese youth working
for the colonialists. In 1922, G.A. Matsoua was the first?ever
Congolese to return from Paris fully clad as an authentic French
gentleman, which caused great uproar and much admiration
amongst his fellow countrymen. He was the first Grand Sapeur.
? The Sapeurs today belong to ?Le SAPE? (Société des
Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes) - one of the world?s
most exclusive clubs. Members have their own code of honour,
codes of professional conduct and strict notions of morality. It is
a world within a world within a city.
? Respected and admired in their communities, today?s sapeurs
see themselves as artists. Each one has his own repertoire of
gestures that distinguishes him from the others. They are also
after their own great dream: to travel to Paris and to return to
Bacongo as lords of elegance.
? Designer brands of suits and accessories are of the utmost
importance to Sapeurs - Pierre Cardin, Roberto Cavalli, Dior,
Fendi, Gaultier, Gucci, Issey Miyake, Prada, Yves Saint Laurent,
Versace, Yohji Yamamoto ? are their patron saints. Unlike some
US hip-hop gangs who are dressed in similar fine threads, there
is no bloodshed here ? here your clothes do all the fighting for
you, otherwise you are not fit to be called a Sapeur.
