Gentlemen, Please…

Among the world’s more style-obsessed modern dandies are the “Sapeurs”. These young Congolese gentlemen clad themselves in designer suits and accessories from their elected saints of high fashion - be it Dior, Prada or Gucci. The Sapeurs continue a dedication to sartorial one-upmanship that began back in the early 20th century when French and Belgians first arrived in the Congo. These visitors brought with them a distinctly Parisian style of dressing that the young Congolese began to adopt—and outdo. They formed their own exclusive members-only club, Le Sape, which continues to this day, and is documented in an upcoming book by Daniele Tamagni from Trolley. Le Sape boasts its own code of honor, conduct and, of course, a never-wavering obsession with fine attire.