The Darfur Sartorialist is a project designed to showcase to the world the fashionable people of Sudan.
In pictures: The Darfur Sartorialist —
The Darfur Sartorialist is a project designed to showcase to the world the fashionable people of Sudan.
Pedro Matos/Darfur Sartorialist
It was created by Portuguese aid worker Pedro Matos, who lived in Darfur for three and a half years.
In pictures: The Darfur Sartorialist —
It was created by Portuguese aid worker Pedro Matos, who lived in Darfur for three and a half years.
Pedro Matos/Darfur Sartorialist
Upon arriving in Darfur to work for a United Nations agency, Matos was surprised to see the bold color combinations worn by people in the region.
In pictures: The Darfur Sartorialist —
Upon arriving in Darfur to work for a United Nations agency, Matos was surprised to see the bold color combinations worn by people in the region.
Pedro Matos/Darfur Sartorialist
"I was blown away by what I saw," says Matos, a former urban planning engineer. "The way people interacted was not what I was expecting and that's when I started taking photographs."
In pictures: The Darfur Sartorialist —
"I was blown away by what I saw," says Matos, a former urban planning engineer. "The way people interacted was not what I was expecting and that's when I started taking photographs."
Pedro Matos/Darfur Sartorialist
The traditional Sudanese clothing is the toub -- many meters of cloth that's wrapped around the body and head.
In pictures: The Darfur Sartorialist —
The traditional Sudanese clothing is the toub -- many meters of cloth that's wrapped around the body and head.
Pedro Matos/Darfur Sartorialist
"Their undergarment would often be a patterned shirt and trousers, and with the toub, combinations are extremely varied," says Matos.
In pictures: The Darfur Sartorialist —
"Their undergarment would often be a patterned shirt and trousers, and with the toub, combinations are extremely varied," says Matos.
Pedro Matos/Darfur Sartorialist
Matos says that local fashion is also influenced by the Sudanese diaspora and the soap operas from the Middle East "where women often dress a bit more Westernized."
In pictures: The Darfur Sartorialist —
Matos says that local fashion is also influenced by the Sudanese diaspora and the soap operas from the Middle East "where women often dress a bit more Westernized."
Pedro Matos/Darfur Sartorialist
"The variety is something that surprised me," says Matos. "In the West we often have these fashionable dark colors and because there are all these franchise stores, you get to see people dressed pretty much in the same way. But in Sudan, they're so varied."
In pictures: The Darfur Sartorialist —
"The variety is something that surprised me," says Matos. "In the West we often have these fashionable dark colors and because there are all these franchise stores, you get to see people dressed pretty much in the same way. But in Sudan, they're so varied."
Pedro Matos/Darfur Sartorialist
Matos, who is not a professional photographer, has done so far three exhibitions of the images he took in Darfur.
In pictures: The Darfur Sartorialist —
Matos, who is not a professional photographer, has done so far three exhibitions of the images he took in Darfur.
Pedro Matos/Darfur Sartorialist
He describes the way women in Darfur dress as "colorful, unique, proud and fashionable."
In pictures: The Darfur Sartorialist —
He describes the way women in Darfur dress as "colorful, unique, proud and fashionable."
Pedro Matos/Darfur Sartorialist
"Most people in the West are extremely surprised and most people in Sudan are quite happy that someone is covering Sudan in such way, with many smiles, and proud, fashionable people," says Matos.
In pictures: The Darfur Sartorialist —
"Most people in the West are extremely surprised and most people in Sudan are quite happy that someone is covering Sudan in such way, with many smiles, and proud, fashionable people," says Matos.
Pedro Matos/Darfur Sartorialist
His projects also includes photos of men in Darfur. "Men dress much more bluntly," says Matos. "It's a world phenomenon," he adds. "[The pictures are] often more about their expression and their movement, than the clothing itself."
In pictures: The Darfur Sartorialist —
His projects also includes photos of men in Darfur. "Men dress much more bluntly," says Matos. "It's a world phenomenon," he adds. "[The pictures are] often more about their expression and their movement, than the clothing itself."
Pedro Matos/Darfur Sartorialist