Model Citizens

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Looking like a million bucks—even if you’re flat broke—is the first rule of La Societé des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes, a subculture of Congolese dandies who bring high fashion to the streets. Sapeurs may beg, borrow, or steal to get the latest from Paris and Milan. Disputes over who’s the most dapper are decided by duels: Whoever flashes the most exclusive label wins.

For more of Daniele Tamagni‘s “Gentlemen of Bacongo,” click here.

This photograph appeared in the March/April 2010 Issue of Mother Jones.

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PLEASE—BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things it doesn’t like—which is most things that are true.

We’ll say it loud and clear: At Mother Jones, no one gets to tell us what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please do your part and help us reach our $150,000 membership goal by May 31.

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