Embed

The Congo Dandies

Living in poverty and spending a fortune to look like a million dollars

“La Sape” is a unique movement based in Congo that unites fashion-conscious men who are ready to splurge money they don’t really have on designer clothes. Dressing in stark contrast with their surroundings, these elegant ambiance-makers become true local celebrities… but this fame comes at a price.

The Congolese dandies known as sapeurs aim to remain stylish even in the grittiest surroundings.

Follow stories the mainstream media ignores: Follow RTD's Twitter

WATCH FILM
Please rate this film

6.30(10 users)

Duration

1:17

Written and directed by
Tags

don't miss

26:33
Society 02 October 2017 00:00

Congo: Cycle of life. Cycling club gives youth hope amid poverty & violence

26:33
Crime and Terrorism 04 March 2019 11:10

Machete Boys of Congo. Kulunas: Inside the brutal world of youth gangs

26:33
Human Rights 13 January 2017 00:00

Bride Trade. Fighting Tanzania's child bride tradition

26:33
Society 13 May 2022 13:35

Congo's Hell for Girls. Congolese witches against rape

26:33
Society 07 October 2016 00:00

The Shegué, the Sorcerer and Che Guevara. Saving the Congo's 'witch kids'

26:33
Crime and Terrorism 30 November 2018 00:30

Hunting Boko Haram. Fed-up Nigerian Adamawa hunters take on Islamic terrorists

26:33
Society 26 April 2017 00:00

Granny Fight Club. Africa’s rape victims are learning to fight back

26:33
Society 06 April 2018 00:00

Togo: Tough to Survive. Togolese children stuck between hard labour and human trafficking

26:33
Health 19 February 2018 00:00

Beauty and the Bleach. Skin-whitening trend ravages Senegalese women

26:33
Arts and Culture 10 August 2020 20:00

We’re Not Freaks. Russian men who put style above all

26:33
Professions 13 July 2011 00:00

Inventors by birth. A homemade submarine & other outstanding creations made by Russian inventors

26:33
History 30 July 2012 00:00

Fashion Behind the Iron Curtain. The Story of Fashion industry in USSR

26:33
Traditions 18 January 2023 12:00

Witch-hunt in Congo. Congolese women blamed for witchcraft and killed without trial

26:33
Health 14 February 2022 12:00

Cobalt Hell . Dangers of mining by hand in Congo

26:33
Society 17 April 2014 00:00

Homeless in NY. The many faces of homelessness in the Big Apple

26:33
Society 29 July 2019 13:32

Skid Row. Exposing homelessness disaster in Los Angeles

26:33
Lifestyle 05 February 2018 00:00

Art at the Stake. Afghan artists risk lives to return style, music, and culture to their country

26:33
Professions 05 May 2021 17:00

Cinderfella. How a regular street cleaner became a fashion model

26:33
Military and War 22 June 2016 00:00

Children of the Front. A rehabilitation center that helps child soldiers erase war memories and rejoin society

26:33
Personalities 24 June 2019 00:42

Fisher of Men. Tunisian man gives hundreds of unknown migrants a decent burial

VIEWER’S CHOICE: 1,000,000 VIEWS AND MORE

VIEW ALL