WOJTEK DOROSZUK. THE NEAR POINT

Kings of Life and Prince

One day, while shooting in Brazzaville, the following happened:

– Hey, you French people, you think you can come here and teach us what it means to be stylish? You want to tell us what we are to wear!? You look down upon us! You make your films here! And we know perfectly well what it means to have a style! – a passing sapeur said.

– But I’m Polish – came the reply.

Suddenly, there was silence. The sapeur and Wojtek Doroszuk looked at one another. Finally, the sapeur unbuttoned his jacket and showed the logo of the Wólczanka Clothing Factory inside.

La Sape stands for the Société des ambianceurs et des personnes élégantes, or the Society of Ambiance-Makers and Elegant People. Its members include Congo’s celebrities who compete against one another in impeccable manners and extravagant looks. Futurist dandies who frequently live in houses with no running water. The necessary equipment of les sapeurs includes a cigar, always wrapped in cellophane. Knee highs. Leather, preferably Weston shoes. A bow tie. A necktie or a cravat. A hat. Choreographed movements meant to expose the stamp of the maker on shoe soles and labels of fashion houses on the lining of their jackets.