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Main | Portrait Series | Award of Excellence
First Place
Oded Balilty
Associated Press

"STONE THROWERS"

Second Place
Magnus Wennman
Aftonbladet

"THE LOST CHILDREN"

Third Place
Maciek Nabrdalik
VII Photo Agency

"THE IRREVERSIBLE"

Award of Excellence
Colin Delfosse
Freelance

"CONGOLESE WRESTLERS"

Award of Excellence
Alexandre Van Enst
Freelance

"ELEGANCE ROAD"

Award of Excellence
Alexandre Van Enst
Freelance

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

"ELEGANCE ROAD"

The African Society of Elegant People, the "SAPE" was born in the years after the independences of Congo-Brazzaville and Zaire. Today there are two major schools of “SAPE”, respectively inspired by the French and Japanese aristocracy. They clash with high fashion brands, millimetered steps and gestures, from Paris to Kinshasa, during parades in honor of their founding masters, or simply at the Mass of Sunday. Codified art of sham, glamor and "hast thou seen" for some, for others the SAPE is a metaphysic, a special relation with the question of being and appearance. Sassy, narcissistic and rebellious, the "sapeur" is a romantic. "Elegance Road" showcases these heroes of modern times. In the decadent sceneries of the city of Kinshasa, from Lemba to Bandal through Ndjili, Matete and Limete, the “sapeurs” of the "War of hundred years" defy the power in place: the Leopards. Led by the great masters such as Tshikose, Sesele and Kadhitoza, the Congolese dandies constantly reinvent themselves to shine.

 

 

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