Natan, 8, (sitting left) is the son of a famous sapeur. He watches TV in a Pierre Cardin shirt and Weston shoes with his neighbour. Kinsahsa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

La Sape, Socíet́e des Ambianceurs et des Personnes ́Eĺegantes (Society of Ambiance-Makers & Elegant People). Its followers are known as »Sapeurs« (»Sapeuses« for women). Most have ordinary day jobs as taxi-drivers, tailors and gardeners, but as soon as they clock out they transform themselves into debonair dandies. Sashaying through the streets they are treated like rock stars – turning heads, bringing ‘joie de vivre’ to their communities and defying their circumstances.