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Dapper Nightwatchmen

The worldwide Congolese fashion cult known as La Sape (Society for the Advancement of People of Elegance) dates back to the return of African soldiers to Brazzaville after fighting for France in the First World War.
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Κείμενο Sean Christie

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Sapeur’s

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Photos by Dylan Culhane

Sapologie

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Brazzavil-leans

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Ma Paulo de Cape Town

It was surprising to hear Gervais (who becomes Libérateur on nights like these) boasting that he is from Saint-Denis “en face du Stade de France.” According to Gur, claiming a fashionable arrondissement of Paris as a home base is something of a local trait. “It is far better than saying that you come from Parow, Goodwood or Salt River, isn’t it?” But it was to these deeply unfashionable suburbs that the Sapeurs returned after a meal of grilled tilapia and cassava, probably to press their security guard uniforms or check the oil in their taxis.