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The CONGO Series

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

SAPEURISM: A subculture of extraordinarily dressed dandies from the Congo

For the Sapeurs of the Congo, a devotion to stylish dressing is a refuge from poverty and war. A symbol of liberty.

This subculture of the Congo Sapeurs comes from la SAPE, short for Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes, or the Society of Tastemakers and Elegant People.

SAPE as the Congolese know it, was not officially born until an emerging pop star in the late 1960s sparked somewhat of a style revolution. Papa Wemba, known as La Pape* de la Sape (pope of Sape) had an incurable fever for French fashion after multiple trips to Paris for his gigs.

Under the strict Mobutu regime, freshly liberated from Belgium, any association with Western culture in Congo was severely frowned upon. Papa Wemba’s defiance became a symbolic gesture in the midst of economic deprivation and political dictatorship. Papa Wemba even established his own village that upheld a set of moral codes with emphasis on high standards of personal cleanliness, hygiene and smart dress among Congolese youths regardless of societal differences.

Dandyism or sapologie in this case, is not a fashion trend. In some of the farthest corners of the earth where true dandyism exists, it serves as a code of living.

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https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cs4uP3oIZHt/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

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I do not own these images which has been provided / shared solely for inspiration.

#sape #styleinspiration #congolesefashionbloggers #papawemba #sapologie #liberty #expression #dandy #istylexicon #thecongoseries

AFRICAN DESIGNERS SERIES EP 5 - Mowalola Ogunlesi

MOWALOLA BEEN MAKING WAVES

Theres more to the young designer than meets the eye.

The Queen of Punk: Dame Vivienne Westwood

The brand announced the peaceful passing of Vivienne Westwood at age 81. Revealing that she died surrounded by her family in South London.

The fashion icon will be remembered as a pioneer and great influence in punk fashion as known today, particularly her activism to climate change, politics and issues faced by society.

Istylexicon

Centich Toko

Virtual Styling ✨

#fashionblogstyle #virtual styling

Moodboard Mondays: Ghetto Fabulous

In reality, Black women were rocking fake nails before they were “cool.” Wearing them proudly when the words used by the world to describe them were “ghetto,” “tacky,” and “how can you do anything wearing them?” Once again, we see the recurring theme that it’s the color of a person’s skin that makes something trendy and acceptable. Repackage something from Black culture in whiteness and boom, it’s mainstream and those that appropriate are seen as trailblasers.

#black culture #cultureappropreation #ghetto fabulous #nothing but the truth

New York Fashion Week SS23: City’s best dressed on the streets

#fashionblogstyle #new york fashion week #street style

Festival season is upon us: Here are 3 fashion styles to consider.

Festival fashion has been the topic, as of recent. The pandemic really gave us a chance to plan and let our imaginations run wild with possible outing outfit ideas. It is no surprise that people are excited about going out and dressing up in pieces that can be cherished for years to come.

The classic Boho 101:

Bohemian layered items to create personalised looks, from vintage cowboy boots and hats to embracing the laidback styles Kate Moss would be proud of.

Future forward:

These are the futuristic people with styles into another dimension. While some people are fixated on the past, future forward individuals focus on creating illusions through style, from 3D shield-like eyewear to sci-fi metallic pants and prints that are equally as mesmerising to their make-up.

Y2K glitter of course:

There is no need to explain these festival-goers, the “IT girl” has entered the group chat. From discoball dresses, sequins to Depop two piece sets. This style specialises in the most glitzy metallic outfit creations.

#fashionblogstyle #creative writing #festival #outfit ideas #Spotify

itswadestore

Mariama for wä dé

lostinurbanism

#blvck vrchives #photography #creative writing

The return and evolution of Y2K

Y2K—two letters and a number entirely summarises the incoming vibes and fashion trends of the year ahead are feeling more so 2002—from crochet tops, platform shoes, kitchy jewelry, asymmetric wear, bold and rich textures, floppy bucket hats to boot.

The original Y2K aesthetic emerged around the same time as the Gen Z-ers currently driving its resurgence—it spanned the very end of the 1990s through the beginning of the 2000’s, Y2K as it is generally understood by both fashion historians and TikTokers alike, to include everything from shiny, Matrix-inspired fabrics to the high-cropped designs Tina Knowles whipped up for Destiny's Child. If there was one through thread of the era, it was excess.

The original Y2K, much like its resurgent counterpart, emerged as a bit of a pendulum swing. Similar to the way the 2008 recession led to minimalism in the 2010s—and, in counter-response, 2020s burgeoning maximalism—a recession in the early 1990s was all about simplicity. Then why is Y2K making such a golden return?

In actual fact the trend is evolving into a cultural style for many in this day and age with a more futuristic focus inspired by fashion icons like TLC and brands like Baby Phat. As predictions of what fashion theorist call the 20 year rule, with a merge of the trends of the era to match the energy of the evolutions trail and error. We are here for it!

Some trends to look out for !!!

Arm warmers, leg warmers, detached sleeves—whatever you wanna call them—these babies are back with a vengeance. Slip them on with any fit to give early-aughts energy.

We're not new to the bucket hat. They’re coming through bigger than ever—literally, tho. Oversized, floppy fur bucket hats are about to be the hottest accessory in the game.

Pelvic cut-outs, cleavage cut-outs, ovary cut-out—ya, 2022 is the year of the random splash of skin. The more unexpected the keyhole, the better.

Don't panic—high-rise jeans aren't going anywhere however, the hip-hugging styles are coming back with the rest of the early-2000s revivals.

vivienvalentino

LELA ROCHON Waiting to Exhale, 1995

istylexicon

Pretty woman

#filmedit #pretty woman #fypppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp #black queen

dreams-in-blk

ver·sa·til·i·ty

noun: ability to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities.

“It is not just clothes for me but employment, this is the main problem in Africa. We need more infrastructure not charity”

AFRICAN DESIGNERS SERIES: EP4- Laetitia Kondolo

Laetitia Kondolo is a Congolese Creative Director and Fashion Stylist in global fashion, having worked alongside numerous world-renowned artists such Kanye West on his ‘Watch the Throne’ tour, Rihanna’s ‘Anti’ tour, Mandonna’s ‘Rebel Heart’ tour to name a few.

Kondolo’s clothing line “Uchawi” which means magic in Kiswahili is a state of mind in which magic exists, operates with endless opportunities and hope, for the local natives of Kinshasa where the brand was established.

For Kondolo her brand and business are a chance to eradicate and respond to sustainable development of the population in Kinshasa, DRC; by creating employment through fashion. Kondolo has partnered with the Congolese styling school ( Institut Superieur de Arts et Metiers) to create jobs for students through the clothing line once they are done, which in turn alleviates poverty while increasing job opportunities.

Kondolo points out that it is beautiful to see African designers talk about Africanism through their work, by using different colours, textures and fabrics “but sharing the same fight: putting Africa into the fashion map” is a part of her mission. To help the local textile - making industry for a sense of pride for products made locally.

Everyday is Africa day.