Africa's Style Map

During a trip to Senegal, Michaels decided to document some of the dressing style of the country. Whether it be traditional or contemporary, or a mix of both. 

Queen of Cowries, Lafalaise Dion 

The sapeurs, also known as the Societe des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Elegantes (the Society of Tastemakers and Elegant People), are Congolese men who mastered the art of dressing and looking elegant, sophisticated, classic. Their colorful outfits are generally composed of a three-piece suit, fedoras, silk socks, and canes. The sapeurs style gets its origins from colonization.   "At the beginning of the 20th century, when the French arrived in Congo, the myth of the Parisian elegance was born among the youth of the Bakongo ethnic group," says photographer Hector Mediavilla. From the movement's popularization in the late 1970s/early 1980′s to nowadays, "la sape" has turned into an obsession for some members of the Societe. They are sometimes ready to spend up to four figures on crocodile shoes while having a profession that can financially sustain the haute couture lifestyle. However, the sape culture doesn't revolve only around being ostentatious. It is also about creativity, self-confidence, promoting values such as pacifism in a war-torn country, and doing and looking your best despite your circumstances.  

The hair braiding process goes way back in history; it was a way to identify one’s tribe, age, or even marital status, according to their hairstyles and patterns. Nowadays, braids are mostly the go-to hairstyles for women with natural kinky-curly hair textures. It is not only for fashion but also a protective hairstyle against heat damage and humidity. However, braiding is still a deep, meaningful expression of black female identity.

Around the nineties up to early 2010, fashion, in general, was heavily influenced by American trends seen in movies or music videos, hip-hop music videos to be more specific. As of the last seven years, African fashion is making its way to the mainstream. Consequently, the trends shift back towards an updated version of traditional looks, with shapes and silhouettes inspired by mainstream fashion.