In pictures: Congo migrant fashion show

A year after African foreigners were attacked across South Africa,Congolese immigrants staged a fashion show to improve understanding between the two communities. Photos: Antony Kaminju

Sapeurs modeling their clothes for the judges

With Congolese music known as kwasa kwasa guiding their path to Johannesburg's Yeoville district, participants competed to prove their love of designer labels and win the prizes on offer.

The Congolese follow a movement called La Sape - a cult of appearance - considered to have originated with singer Papa Wemba. It was meant to defy Zaire's then-President Mobutu Sese Seko, who ordered people to wear traditional African clothes.

The crowd - both Congolese and South African - cheered the "sapeurs" as they paraded with their Gucci, Canduci, Valentino and other labels.

The sapeurs worship on the altar of expensive fashion and use what little money they have to save up for designer clothes.

The mix of different perfumes filled the air as the competing teams from the two Congos - Kinshasa and Brazzaville - attempted to out-style each other.

A sapeur shines his black shoe to an iridescent glaze

Organisers hope the event will ease tensions between foreigners and locals. A South African group called Vujani performed kwasa kwasa to win a dance contest with Congolese immigrants.

Lopi Lide Mambe from Kinshasa was the overall winner and took the trophy home. The music played into the night and locals could be seen from the balconies dancing to Congolese tunes.