Following from an earlier post on the Sapeurs, I am glad to see someone has produced a fairly comprehensive book showcasing the dandies of the Congo. Photographer Daniele Tamagni captures the fascinating subculture where designer suits and luxury items are the order of the day. Published by Trolley Books.
Absolutely beautiful collection by German photographer, Hans Silvester entitled “Les Habits de la Nature”, celebrating the unique art of the Surma and Mursi tribes of the Omo Valley, on the borders of Ethiopia, Kenya and Sudan. Amazing.
http://www.lamaisonpresbastille.com/habit_nature.php?test=1
The Bills were a youth subculture that dressed in cowboy outfits and opposed the current political view of late 1950s Léopoldville, Zaire (modern-day Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo).
They proliferated in the African sections of Léopoldville and based their image of blue jeans, checkered shirts, scarfs, boots, and hats on the American Western movies of the time, especially those of Buffalo Bill, like ‘Pony Express’ featuring Charlton Heston.
From the Bills came a new generation of sounds and bands, such as Zaiko, Bozi Boziana and Minzoto Ya Zaire, which differ from the Congolese rumba known by most. Jef De Laet (who became better known as Pere Buffalo), was a Passionist missionary at the time began working with the youth where the Bills roamed and helped channel their energies into a positive movement and helped start Minzoto Ya Zaire, as well as a cultural centre, Cabaret Liyoto, which featured a recording studio.
The photos are by Jean Depara, an Angolan-born photographer who was living in Kinshasa at the time, where he worked taking photos of celebrations, portraits and families, but at night he hung out in the Kinshasa clubs and here he captured an Africa stripped of conventional social codes.
The Groom of the Robes has let us know that the first three designs are in the mill. Keep an eye out for ‘City of Gold’, ‘Haarstyle’ and ‘The King’s Car’ – all designed by friendly locals. Coming soon to an online store near you.Â
Clayton Cubbitt’s take on skinhead fashions from the early seventies in an Afrikan style.
Link to online gallery
As a literary gent, the King requested his library assistant to acquire some reading matter for the state library or for use as coasters at royal and diplomatic banquets. His assistant’s recent acquisition:
The Beautiful Struggle by Per Englund and Mlamli Figlan
Style and attitude in the townships of South Africa
Swedish photographer Per Englund reflects on a new image of South Africa. The photographs in the book are shining with self-confidence and attitude. They depict life beyond the headlines by providing a glimpse of a young generation who are fusing their traditional African culture with a global youth culture as a means of escaping poverty and apathy.
Published by Dokument Förlag
ISBN: 978-91-973981-5-2
Pingmag interview with Per Englund and Mlamli Figlan.
Examining a passion for fashion amidst poverty in Central Africa, from the French colonial 1970s and 80s outposts to Papa Wemba’s promotion of the Sapeur.
Chic Theory, Joanne Finkelstein © all rights reserved
Though poor, addicts of designer clothing spend lavishly to flaunt an over-the-top style.
By Edmund Sanders, Times Staff Writer
Francesco Giusti has documented the culture:
More info can be found here: http://www.lostateminor.com/2009/11/05/francesco-giusti-congo-series/
More on the Sapeur and Papa Wemba