The sapeurs of bacongo, a small central part of kinshasa live their lives dedicated to fashion and style, living according to a code, where a true gentleman wears no more than three colours. Jan 29, 2010 paul smiths 2010 rtw is inspired by a book i came across and wanted to mention on this blog gentlemen of bakongo paying a nod to a group of well dressed congolese men through great photography by a daniele tamagni. Daniele tamagni is a freelance photographer from italy. Text by paul smith, daniele tamagni, and paul goodwin.
Paul smith spring 2010 readytowear collection vogue. Afropolitan fashion subcultures put their best foot forward. The societe des ambianceurs et des personnes elegantes the society for the advancement of people of elegance which now has among its adepts also a few women. Paul smiths 2010 rtw is inspired by a book i came across and wanted to mention on this blog gentlemen of bakongo paying a nod to a group of well dressed congolese men through great photography by a daniele tamagni.
Gentlemen of bakongo a new photo book by daniele tamagni explores the phenomenon of the african sapeurs, a clique of extraordinarily dressed dandies from the congo. Over the past few years he has begun to document african communities worldwide, from africa itself to peckham in london, undertaking specific projects focusing on culture. Nov 07, 2011 and keep an eye out for the daniele tamagni book, gentlemen of bakongo book. Daniele tamagni is the author of gentlemen of bacongo 4. Paul smiths springsummer 2010 collection was inspired by the sapeurs photographed in the book gentlemen of bakongo, by italian photographer daniele tamagni. Nov 06, 2009 photos by daniele tamagni dandies from the congo republic sport suits with european flair. Cavory is part of a group of sapeurs who emanate from, brazzaville, the capital of the republic of the congo aka the french congo or congo brazzaville and are the subject of a new, mainly photographic tome, the gentlemen of bakongo the importance of being elegant, by. In 2009, tamagnis photographs were compiled into the compact monograph gentlemen of bacongo, published by trolley books, and this year he was awarded the icp infinity award for fashion. The dandies of subsaharan africa what makes these images so compelling is the way they stand out among such scenes of abject poverty they pose in their sunday best in weedfilled lots and peacock. The photographer, daniele tamagni, has done an admirable job of capturing these rare birds in their often squalid environs. Daniele tamagni t wentyfive years ago, when i edited id magazine, i went through a phase of inventing socioeconomic. Sapeurs of congo a gentleman of bakongo sabotage times.
Sep 16, 2009 yet hes also looking beyond british shores, being inspired by daniele tamagnis book gentlemen of bakongo, which documents le sapes, who, says smith, were a congolese subculture of men. The 2021 professional, open, student and youth competitions open on 1 july, 2020. The dandies of subsaharan africa it is something to consider, the unimaginable feat and required dedication of maintaining a wardrobe of bespoke suits, evening shirts, accessories, jewelry and leather dress. Sep 21, 2009 when paul smith laid eyes on gentlemen of bakongo. Each sapeur has his own repertoire of gestures that distinguis. This book provides a fascinating insight to the vibrant street style of the sapeurs, the elegant and immaculately dressed dandies from the heart of the congo.
I love the clothing in this collection and would absolutely wear all the above looks. Jun 01, 2009 daniele tamagni is an italian photographer and art historian, with a particular fascination and focus on african culture and society. Gentlemen of bacongo daniele tamagni, paul goodwin. Via fashion bomb daily via pitchfork solange knowles newly released single losing you features the style of congolese dandies, les sapeurs. As you can see below on the first group of pictures a clear example of how danieles work infuenced fashion design.
The gentlemen of bakongo what does one make of the the gentlemen of bakongo from the congo. The designer paul smith, who wrote the preface, found inspiration for his ss 2010 collection, and in 2010, tamagni won the icp infinity award in the. In 2007 he won the canon young photographer award with a project about the congolese dandies, sapeurs of brazzaville. He published a book in 2009 titled, gentlemen of bacongo. Daniele tamagni is an italian photographer, now based in milan. Daniele tamagni lalhande the young 2007 under the subheading sguardi e stili di unafrica in movimento, the exhibition ranges from dandies in brazzaville and heavy metal cowboys in gaborone, to young johannesburg dancers and creative designers in nairobi and dakar. Cavory is part of a group of sapeurs who emanate from, brazzaville, the capital of the republic of the congo aka the french congo or congo brazzaville and are the subject of a new, mainly photographic tome, the gentlemen of bakongo the importance of being elegant, by italian snapper daniele tamagni.
Daniele tamagni is an italian photographer and art historian, with a particular fascination and focus on african culture and society. This book, as its title indicates, focuses exclusively on the sapeurs of the famous bakongo neighborhood of brazzaville. In the midst of war and abject poverty, these men dress in. Ver mas ideas sobre hombres, julia sarr jamois, fotografia. Shooting style in locations outside of the presumed fashion contexts such brazzaville, johannesburg, nairobi and dakar, tamagni seeks and finds individualistic identity. Trained originally as an art historian, tamagni captures unique street style in burgeoning african urban spaces, such as brazzaville, johannesburg, nairobi and dakar, where he seeks and finds individualistic identity.
Daniele tamagni documentary and fine art photographer 19752017. Dec 03, 2009 photographer daniele tamagnis new book gentlemen of bacongo captures the fascinating subculture of the congo in which men and a few women dress in designer and handmade suits and other luxury. In the midst of war and abject poverty, these men dress in tailored suits, silk ties, and immaculate footwear. Paul goodwin this book provides a fascinating insight to the vibrant street style of the sapeurs, the elegant and immaculately dressed dandies from the heart of the congo.
May 06, 2010 milanbased photographer daniele tamagnis book gentlemen of bacongo features the pageantry of congalese sapeurs, or dandies a subculture of men who pay extreme attention to, and take great pride in, their appearance and sartorial style. Buy gentlemen of bacongo first edition by daniele tamagni, paul smith, paul goodwin isbn. Fatma fahmy, an egyptian documentary and daily life photographer, born in 1991, living in cairo, has been selected by an international jury as recipient to the daniele tamagni grant. Impact rather than money, the daniele tamagni grant dt grant is to aggregate tangible and intellectual resources to address the creation of a long term value proposition focused on photography and education elevating creativity to a profession, thanks to the scholarship the recipient of the grant will be in the position to become a positive agent of. The african dandies cyril foiret november 23, 2009 a new photo book by daniele tamagni explores the phenomenon of the african sapeurs, a clique of. On the occasion of altaroma fashion week 2017, galleria del cembalo presents for the first time in rome daniele tamagnis body of work on contemporary african street fashion and urban subcultures the exhibition, titled another look and curated by giovanna fazzuoli, illustrates street fashion as a means of expressing ones identity and social and political. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Gentlemen of bacongo by daniele tamagni, book published by trolley, with photographs of the elegantly dressed society. Photographer daniele tamagnis new book gentlemen of bacongo. He received a prize in the arts and entertainment stories category at the 2011 world press photo contest and was the 2010 recipient of the icp infinity award in applied fashion photography. If you havent seen or read daniele tamagnis book, gentlemen of bakongo then you really need to add this magnificent and beautifully photographed book to your collection of fashion books. A misplaced sense of consumption without production or as they contend, the importance of being elegant. So, in a country ravaged by war, instability and poverty, these men go all out.
Daniele tamagni, an italian photographer, trained as an art historian before travelling worldwide to document colourful fashion subcultures. An image taken from daniele tamagnis book gentlemen of bakongo. Goodwill is also characteristic of another group, old school classic car club oscc, which originated in the east rand. Daniele tamagni is a freelance fashion and documentary photographer based in milan.
An image taken from daniele tamagni s book gentlemen of bakongo. Oct 06, 2012 via fashion bomb daily via pitchfork solange knowles newly released single losing you features the style of congolese dandies, les sapeurs. Daniele tamagnis wonderful pictorial essay brilliantly manages to capture the ebullience of sapeur culture at its source in bacongo, a sprawling suburb of brazzaville in the congo. The warmer colors and styling are really appealing to the african sensibilities. His background is in art history, but he recently turned to dedicate himself completely to photography. A new photo book by daniele tamagni explores the phenomenon of sapeurs, a clique of extraordinarily dressed dandies from the congo.
Dylan jones introduces the elegant gentlemen of bakongo. Le sape the societe des ambianceurs et des personnes elegantes, is one of the worlds most exclusive clubs. Founded in 2009, beyond victoriana focuses on nonwestern cultures, underrepresented minorities in western histories asian pacific islander, middle eastern, first nation, hispanic, black african. He immediately modeled his womens collection for spring 2010 around daniele tamagnis photos. Solange knowles 2012 music video, losing you, featured congolese sapeurs living in south africa. Nov 23, 2009 a new photo book by daniele tamagni explores the phenomenon of the african sapeurs, a clique of extraordinarily dressed dandies from the congo.
A new photo book by daniele tamagni explores the phenomenon of the african sapeurs, a clique of extraordinarily dressed dandies from the congo. Photographers francesco giusti and daniele tamagni who also has a book on the subject called the gentlemen of bacongo as well as a mini documentary by hector mediavilla done for guiness. The nutshell explanation beyond victoriana is the oldestrunning blog about multicultural steampunk and retrofuturismthat is, steampunk outside of a westerndominant, eurocentric framework. Milanbased photographer daniele tamagnis book gentlemen of bacongo features the pageantry of congalese sapeurs, or dandies a subculture of men who pay extreme attention to, and take great pride in, their appearance and sartorial style. These men were italian photographer daniele tamagnis muse and subject of his book, the importance of being elegant. Sapeurs subcultures and sociology grinnell college. Daniele tamagni gentlemen of the bacongo 2009 selections from the european photographers book gentlemen of the bacongo, which influenced the ss 2010 collection of fashion designer paul smith. Gentlemen of bacongo by daniele tamagni 2009 0601 daniele tamagni on. Published by trolley, gentlemen of bacongo, with a foreword by. A new photo book by daniele tamagni explores the phenomenon of the african sapeurs, a clique of extraordinarily dressed dandies from the. Part 1 the gentlemen of bacongo is a book released in by photographer daniele tamagni.
The societe des ambianceurs et des personnes elegantes the society for the advancement of people of elegance which now has. Jan 30, 2012 gentlemen of bacongo by daniele tamagni as an addition to my previous post les sapeurs, battle of the dandies here is an interesting and beautiful book that deserves your attention, gentlemen of bacongo by daniele tamagni hardcover jun 1, 2009. Daniele tamagni, afrometals world photography organisation. Mar 29, 2010 if you havent seen or read daniele tamagnis book, gentlemen of bakongo then you really need to add this magnificent and beautifully photographed book to your collection of fashion books. He moved into photography after working as a researcher in museums, galleries and churches. Andre 3000 must have taken a page or two out of gentlemen of bacongo trolley books, a new book by daniele tamagni that celebrates a group of dandies in the most unlikely of style capitals the heart of the congo republic.
Capturing flamboyant gentlemen in an urban setting, daniele tamagni zones in on each subjects unique personality and opts for images that are candid, expressive and undeniably. Mar 20, 2012 the gentlemen of congo les sapeurs i have today decided to blog about a movement, a club, a prestigious society of men in africa, who have dedicated their lives to dressing well, stylish and elegant. Julia sarrjamois channels the men of style le sapeurs if you havent seen or read daniele tamagnis book, gentlemen of bakongo then you really need to add this magnificent and beautifully photographed book to your collection of fashion books. The dandies of subsaharan africa as a compelling collection of images which contrast against abject poverty and bring a sense of elegance and pride. This colourful book takes you to the streets of bacongo, a district area in brazzaville where the elegant sapeurs show off their suits with style and a touch of extravagance. Gentlemen of bacongo by daniele tamagni soul safari. Photographer daniele tamagnis new book gentlemen of bacongo captures the fascinating subculture of the congo in which men and a few women dress in designer and handmade suits and other luxury. The sony world photography awards 2020 are now closed for entries. Oct, 2015 daniele tamagni is a freelance fashion and documentary photographer based in milan and author of gentlemen of bacongo.
And keep an eye out for the daniele tamagni book, gentlemen of bakongo book. Nov 01, 2019 the new york times describes daniele tamagnis book gentlemen of bakongo. Yet hes also looking beyond british shores, being inspired by daniele tamagnis book gentlemen of bakongo, which documents le sapes, who, says smith, were a. Daniele tamagni italian, 1975 2017 the playboys of bacongo series, 2008, brazzaville. Fatma fahmy wins the first edition of the daniele tamagni grant. Using fashion as a method of self expression, these gentlemen make a social statement that rejects common stereotypes that are related to central africa and its economy.