← Back to the Episode Page

Companion mode

The Society of Ambiance Makers and Elegant Persons

0:0035:18
Speed

Listening elsewhere? Jump this view to your spot.

About this episode

<p>Hailing from central African cities of Brazzaville and Kinshasa, sapeurs have become increasingly recognizable around the world. Since the 1970s, sapeurs (from:<i> le sape</i>, short for <i>"Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes"</i>) have been known for donning technicolored three-piece suits with flamboyant accessories like golden walking sticks and leopard-print fedoras, and then cat-walking through their city streets.</p><p>In recent years, Solange, Kendrick and SZA have all featured sapeurs in their music videos. The iconic British menswear designer Paul Smith did a whole spring line of sapeur-inspired suits and bowler hats.</p><p><a href="https://99percentinvisible.org/?p=42121&post_type=episode">The Society of Ambiance Makers and Elegant Persons</a></p> <p><p>Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early.&nbsp;<br><br>Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting <a href="http://siriusxm.com/podcastsplus." target="_blank">siriusxm.com/podcastsplus</a>.&nbsp;</p></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>