"sapeuses"

 I came across this article as I was searching for information on the "sapeuse" or African women who, like their male counterparts, the "sapeurs," like to dress in European high end clothing as a way to make a statement about their social identity. Now that this blog is ten years old, I have decided to turn it into a book, which is leading me down new unexpected paths, including this one. Again, it was my friend Sandra who explained to me the importance for some African women to look well dressed and to show off high end brands as a way to demarcate themselves from the rest of the crowd but also to elevate their country's reputation to something that does not say "poverty." 

The article states, "Spending money on ornate umbrellas and silk socks might seem surreal when almost half the country’s population lives in poverty, but the SAPE movement aims to do more than just lift the spirits. Over the decades, it has functioned as a form of colonial resistance, social activism and peaceful protest."

The photos are real eye openers. I love these African dandys!