Sapuers, a group of the world's most stylish gentlemen who wish to bring world peace through fashion, arrived in Japan from Congo. FASHION HEADLINE conducted a photoshoot titled "THE Sapuer FASHION Journey in JAPAN" in Gion Shirakawa, Kyoto, to allow the Sapuers to experience Japanese culture and sophistication. The photographer was Kunio Chano, who shot the photobook "THE SAPUER: The World's Most Stylish Gentlemen I Met in Congo." This was their first visit to Kyoto. The four Sapeurs visited Gion Shirakawa, a beautiful area with swaying willows and cobblestone streets. Arriving in Kyoto from Osaka by car early in the morning, the Sapeurs sometimes looked tired, but their expressions transformed in front of the camera. They responded to the interview with a cool demeanor, conveying the Sapeurs' message of wishing for peace and taking pride in being kind to others through their own style.
Dressed in glamorous and elegant outfits that they each styled themselves, we headed to...
PASS THE BATON KYOTO GION, Gion Shirakawa, Kyoto
In fact, many of the Sapeur members visiting Japan this time love sweets. Shaved ice is a cooling summer treat in Japan, so this time we enjoyed some shaved ice at Ocha to Sake Tasuki, located inside PASS THE BATON KYOTO GION. We ordered three flavors of shaved ice: Caramelized Fig and Pudding (1,100 yen), Grapefruit Yogurt (1,100 yen), and Matcha Honey with Condensed Milk (1,100 yen). The selection of serving dishes and trays to serve the shaved ice was excellent, allowing us to enjoy it in an eclectic Japanese-Western style. Each customer was served their own shaved ice in a different dish and tray.
Many of the Sapeurs seemed to be pudding and yogurt lovers, and they were fascinated by the shaved ice sandwiched between fluffy ice and the sweet and sour grapefruit and yogurt flavored shaved ice. Zebran, the oldest, seemed to enjoy the matcha flavored shaved ice.
Afterwards, the Sapeurs were interested in the colorful miscellaneous goods and lanterns hanging from thin wires inside PASS THE BATON KYOTO GION. As soon as they stepped outside the store, their feet started to naturally step out.
Although surprised by their sudden appearance, the Sapeurs happily accepted requests for photos from passing tourists. They are endlessly picturesque and seem to truly enjoy fashion.
At this very moment, Sapeurs must be strutting the streets of the Republic of the Congo, far away in Africa, in their cool attire. No matter where they are in the world, they are Sapeurs. That's what I thought as I watched the Sapeurs walking briskly on the cobblestone streets of Kyoto.
[Interview Cooperation]
PASS THE BATON KYOTO GION
Address: 77-6 Sueyoshicho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0085
Opening Hours: 11:00-20:00 (Monday-Saturday), 11:00-19:00 (Sundays and Holidays)
Ocha to Sake Tasuki
Address: 77-6 Sueyoshicho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0085
Opening Hours: Cafe 11:00-19:00, Bar 21:00-2:00 (Bar time only closed on Wednesdays)
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[Photobook]
Title: THE SAPEUR - The World's Most Stylish Gentleman I Met in Congo
Author: Chano Kunio
Publisher: Okura Publishing
Price: 2,700 yen
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[Photo Exhibition]
Title: Photo Exhibition of "SAPUER," the World's Most Stylish Gentlemen from the African Congo
Date and Time: Now through August 31st
Location: 3-1-12 Kubota, Okinawa City, Okinawa Prefecture
Plaza House Shopping Center Fair Mall 3F, Rycom Anthropologie
Admission Fee: 500 yen (free for junior high school students and younger)
