Willy Covary, one of the most admired sapeurs of the Bacongo neighborhood, poses in front of his house, after taking a bath. He is about to get dressed to go out. On the right side, he is ready to show off in the city. © Héctor Mediavilla / Picturetank

The sapeur Allureux decides to put on his brown socks because they match his bow tie. The rule of the three colours - one should not match more than 3 colors at a time - is one of the principles of Sape elegance. Brazzaville, Congo. © Héctor Mediavilla / Picturetank

The sapeur Bienvenu Mouzieto takes off his hat and checks himself in the mirror while his wife watches TV. Many Bacongo families do not have electricity at home to watch TV, Brazzaville, Congo. © Héctor Mediavilla / Picturetank

The sapeur Severin, also known as the Japanese ambassador, shows a portrait of his father in the living room of the family home. It is decorated with many portraits of relatives and religious propaganda. Most Congolese are quite religious; Catholic and Christian evangelist churches are preferred among sapeurs. Brazzaville, Congo. © Héctor Mediavilla / Picturetank

The sapeur Willy Covari, one of the most admired sapeurs of the Bacongo neighbourhood of Brazzaville, Congo, walks on his property with his two children. © Héctor Mediavilla / Picturetank

Severin Mouyengo, sapeur since the seventies, is about to cross Avenue Matsoua, the historical avenue of the Bacongo neighbourhood that used to be the only runway of the first Brazzaville and Congolese airport. © Héctor Mediavilla / Picturetank

The sapeur Lamame takes a ride in a taxi to the outskirts of Brazzaville. On this occasion he is dressed in a tail coat and covers his right eye with a black patch. © Héctor Mediavilla / Picturetank

The sapeur Lamame, also known as the Old Parisian, walks on the rocks of the Congo river falls which, despite their name, are only some rapids. They are supposed to be a touristic attraction. Some young naked men are taking a bath and washing their clothes in the river as usual when Lamame arrives to visit the site. © Héctor Mediavilla / Picturetank

The sapeur Yves François Ngatsongo, also known as Yves Saint Laurent, is the president and founder of the France Libre association. He walks up the stairs of the tall building were he lives in downtown Brazzaville, Congo. This and other buildings, somewhat damaged by the combats of the last civil war (1997-2001) have been squatted mainly by Northern army-related people. © Héctor Mediavilla / Picturetank

Willy Covarie, also known as the "Attacant du pointe" walks down a Bacongo street. He's one of the best known and admired Bacongo sapeurs. © Héctor Mediavilla / Picturetank

The sapeur Bienvenu Mouzieto poses in front of his house in the Bacongo neighbourhood of Brazzaville, Congo. © Héctor Mediavilla / Picturetank