FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“LES SAPEURS” NIKKI BILLIE JEAN READY-TO-WEAR 2016 COLLECTION

Nikki Billie Jean launches a suit collection inspired by Solange and the Sapeurs

(Washington, D.C.) – The “Les Sapeurs” Nikki Billie Jean Ready-To-Wear 2016 Collection features ankara print three piece suits with eye-catching colors and polished tailoring. The collection includes superb quality blazers, waistcoats and pants. The suits are catered to a masculine silhouette but can accommodate the sartorial needs of women interested in dapper garb. The multicolored row houses as the background for the campaign, was inspired by the rural colorful houses and shops commonly seen in photos of the sapeurs. The bicycle, skateboard, briefcase, umbrella and boombox portrays the repertoire of gestures and personalities that makes each sapeur unique.

The concept was inspired by the band of dandyish and hyper-sharp sapeurs and Solange in her “Losing You” music video shot in Cape Town, South Africa. Solange refers to the work of Italian photographer Daniele Tamagni in his book Gentleman of Bacongo on the Sapeurs in Brazzaville, Congo as an inspiration for the styling of her “Losing You” music video.

Style is a form of worship. Elegance is a way of praise, and fashion is a religion for the Congo dandies, otherwise known as the “sapeurs”. In Congolese slang, ”la sape” means La Societe des Ambianceurs et Personnes Elegantes, or The Society of Atmosphere Setters and Elegant People. The Sapuers, are a society of men who have turned the art of dressing into a cultural statement with the foundation of having style, grace, etiquette and impeccable manners. Within their local communities, where nearly half of the people live in poverty, they are a source of inspiration and positivity. When a well-dressed Sapeur walks down the street, people “forget their problems”.

After the death of Conogolese musician and godfather of La Sape, Papa Wemba, Cameroonian saxophonist Manu Dibango said in an interview, “People have always had stereotypes about us, and he (Papa Wemba) was saying dressing well is not just a matter of money, not just something for Westerners, but that we Africans also have elegance.”

In August 2016, Grammy nominated recording artist, Jidenna, wore a custom outfit from the collection on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

View the campaign photos, film and behind the scenes at nikkithejeanius.com.

The suits are available for purchase and sold exclusively at the All Things Ankara Store, allthingsankara.com/store.

Credits

“Les Sapeurs” Nikki Billie Jean 2016 Collection

Fashion Designer/Wardrobe Stylist: Nikki Billie Jean

Producer: All Things Ankara

Creative Director/Co-Producer: Troy Massa

Photographer: By Sir Arthur

Filmmaker: Brendan Lyn

Make-Up Artist: Ronke Raji

Hair Stylist: Soul Chic Boutique

Models: Armanda Tounghi, Wilson Ebo, Khalif Nelson, Yaw Osei, Arnold Philip,

Fabric: All Things Ankara Store

Bike: College Park Bicycles

Song: “Pepe Dem” by DJ SPINALL featuring Yemi Alade

Special Thanks: Nicholas Orji & Ibironke Akintaju (Nikki’s Brother & Mom)