Mick Hartley

I featured British photographer Tariq Zaidi last year, with his portraits of Congo dandies. Then he was one of the finalists in the Lens Culture Portrait Awards 2019. He's now one of their Critics’ Choice Award Winners for 2020, giving me a chance to post more of his portraits of these wonderful sapeurs, who follow La Sape, the Societe des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Elegantes (the Society of Tastemakers and Elegant People), and defy – I'm tempted to say transcend – the grim urban surroundings with their style and good humour. They're based mostly in Brazzaville and Kinshasa, on the opposite sides of the Congo river.

Serge, 39-year-old businessman and sapeur for 20 years, Brazzaville © Tariq Zaidi

Perrou, 36-year-old manicurist and sapeur for 10 years, in Brazzaville © Tariq Zaidi

Edo, 35-year-old businessman and sapeur for 15 years, in Kinshasa © Tariq Zaidi

Firmin, 56-year-old hotel worker and sapeur for 39 years, in Brazzaville © Tariq Zaidi

Six, 28-year-old model and sapeur for 20 years, in Kinshasa © Tariq Zaidi

Arle, 33-year-old driver and sapeur for 8 years, in Brazzaville © Tariq Zaidi

Nzonzi, 40-year-old businessman and sapeur for 10 years, in Kinshasa © Tariq Zaidi

Michele, 48-year-old mechanic and sapeur for 33 years, in Brazzaville © Tariq Zaidi

Perreira, 37-year-old computer consultant and sapeur for 28 years, in Brazzaville © Tariq Zaidi

Celestin, 48-year-old technician and sapeur for 25 years, in Brazzaville © Tariq Zaidi