Recapping an ongoing trend In a nutshell; Sapeurs.
The word “Sapeur” is derived from SAPE, an acronym for the movement itself, Société des Ambianceurs et Persons Élégants. The word sape also means “to dress with elegance and style” in French.
2009: The Sapeurs of Brazzaville, Congo were introduced to us Europeans in Gentlemen of Bacongo by Daniele Tamagni. (ISBN: 978-1-904563-83-9) The book has a preface written by Paul Smith.Read more> (on harlemworldmag: sapeurs)(The Beau Brummels of Brazzaville-by Tom Downey in WSJ, Europe, Sept, 2010)
Understandably this style was highly suitable for the fashion industry and proofed to be an inspiration.
2010: Paul Smith, Spring/Summer runway. (via)
2008: Exactitudes, Sapeurs in Paris by Ari Versluys and Ellie Uyttenbroek.
2009, The Contributing Editor editorial photographed by Laurence Ellis, Fashion by Chrisna de Bruy & Mavuso Mbtumba.
2009, The Contributing Editor editorial photographed by Laurence Ellis, Fashion by Chrisna de Bruy & Mavuso Mbtumba.
2012, Resort collection: Burberry Prorsum, from this collection onwards, Christopher Bailey tends to get inspired by Africana (other than the out-of-africa approach) visible in stripes, dessins and accessoiries .(photo: Burberry Prorsum)
2012, top; winter collection, below; from the summer collection both by laurenceairline.
Kenzo and Vans (via)
Fall 2012 Runway; They are back! Sapeurs in full ornate, dressed very fashionably by Walter van Beirendonck.
