Friday, October 12, 2012

SOLANGE VIDEO INSPIRATION, THE GENTLEMEN OF BACONGO



In a previous blog post I mentioned one of the photographers that inspired the concept of Solange Knowles's video 'Losing You'. Another one of her inspirations is the Le SAPE movement of Congo- founded by Papa Wemba in reaction to President Mobutu Sese Seko's banning of Western attire. The acronym SAPE stands for 'Society of Ambianceurs and Persons of Elegance'. Other sources say it stands for 'Society for the Advancement of People of Elegance'. In 2009 photographer Daniele Tamagni documented the subculture in a coffee table book titled 'Gentlemen of Bacongo'. Solange's video marks the second time that I am aware of in recent history where the Le Sape movement has had an influence on popular culture. Sir Paul Smith also based his spring/summer 2010 women's wear collection on the style tribe.

A LOOK FROM SIR PAUL SMITH'S SS 2010 COLLECTION

PIC FROM THE BOOK 'GENTLEMEN OF BACONGO'

PIC FROM THE BOOK
 

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