What does La Sape stand for?
What does La Sape stand for?
La Sape, an abbreviation based on the phrase Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes (French; literally “Society of Ambiance-Makers and Elegant People”) and hinting to the French slang word sape which means “clothes” or sapé, which means “dressed up”, is a subculture centered on the cities of Kinshasa and …
What does SAPE mean in Congo?
The Sapeurs (or La Sape) take their name from the acronym for their group: SAPE, meaning “Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes.” This translates to “the Society of Tastemakers and Elegant People.” The term “Ambianceur” is a newer expression coined in francophone Africa, meaning “persons who create …
What is Sapology?
‘Les Sapeurs’ or ‘Sapologists’ refer to a group of dapper looking Congolese gentlemen who dedicate their time and money to dressing strikingly, yet elegantly well.
What is the Sapeur culture?
They are called sapeurs or members of the Societe des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Elegantes (the Society of Tastemakers and Elegant People). And when they go out, they turn the streets of Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of the Congo, into a fashion runway. The sapeur style began as one of emulation.
Where are the sapeurs?
La Sape, Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes (Society of Ambiance Makers & Elegant People) is a fashion subculture in cities of Kinshasa, DRC & Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. Someone who follows La Sape is known as a Sapeur (or ‘Sapeuse’ for a woman).
When did La Sape originate?
This thesis explores the past, current, and future significance of la Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Elégantes (la Sape), a social movement of well-dressed men that began in the two Congos in the 1980s.
Why did La Sape start?
La Sape can be traced back to the early years of colonialism. The French had set out to civilize African people by providing them with European second hand clothes as a bargaining tool to gain the devotion of the superiors. Despite their expensive attire, they are not rich men.
What is sapeurs?
Les sapeurs are followers of La Sape, a unique Congolese subculture that emerged during the early colonial era in Brazzaville, the Republic of the Congo. It is an abbreviation of the phrase “Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes” (French for “Society of Ambiance-Makers and Elegant People”.)
Where are the sapeurs from?
Some residents of the twin Congolese capitals of Brazzaville and Kinshasa have long been known for their love of stylish dressing – in particular members of the Society of Ambience-Makers and Elegant People (Sape).
What inspired La Sape?
La Sape can be traced back to the early years of colonialism. The French had set out to civilize African people by providing them with European second hand clothes as a bargaining tool to gain the devotion of the superiors.
