I was given a book from my mother in law, Gentlemen of Bacongo by Daniele Tamangni. I love this book. Thank you to my mother in law, thank you mom. You see black people have always dressed even in the hardest of times and we take it to the next level. But the brothers of Bacongo are truly masters of style. The Sapeurs of Bacongo are stylish, elegant gentlemen and ladies who do something special with style and fashion and they do it in the mist of poverty. They are not rich, the environment they live in is truly poverty. It takes time, money and a lot of effort. The international phenomenon of the Sapeurs have hit places like South London, Paris, Brussels and the Congo. Coming from a place of poverty they represent being a Sapeurs in a amazing way. They are people of class, elegance and style but first they are people of color. "The white man may have invented clothes but we turn it into an art" King Kester Emeneya, Congolese musician. As for my Seattle people, if Sapeurs can do what they do in such hard ship then a little rain shouldn't stop you from putting on something special and looking good/feeling good.
Bacongo is in Brassville, Central Africa. The official language is French, Lingala, Kikongo and Kituba. The largest cities are the capital, Brazzaville, located on the Congo River and Pointe Noire on the Atlantic Coast. Parts of the capital and large areas in the south of the country were damaged during civil conflict in 1997, 1998 and 1999. The last group signed a cease-fire accord with the government in March 2003.
Here are some photos from the book. I hope you enjoy them. They truly inspired me!

      We are all masters of style and we would like to thank the Sapeurs 4 dressing. Thank you 4 dressing!