'Sapeurs', the French acronym for the Societe des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Elegantes (the Society of Tastemakers and Elegant People), from the 'Leopards du Congo' Sapeurs group meeting in the dilapidated reception rooms of the Hotel Gracios. They wear second-hand clothes by leading designers (e.g. Yamamoto, Dolce & Gabbana, and Paul Smith). La Sape fashion statement first appeared in the late 1970s as a reaction to the 'authenticity' advocated by Mobutu who banned western-style clothing.
