Following in the footsteps of Congo's Sapeurs - the Societé des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Elegantes (the Society of Tastemakers and Elegant People) and Sophiatown's fashionable jazz set of the 1950s, a group of gentlemen from Durban, the 4000 Society, are using the art of dressing to make a cultural statement.Internationally renowned designer Laduma Ngxokolo has brought Xhosa-inspired designs into the limelight by creating clothes suitable for amakrwala (Xhosa initiates) who are prescribed by tradition to dress up in new, dignified, formal clothing for six months after their initiation into adulthood.In addition to the beautiful knitwear, young men are expected to wear expensive tweed suits, smart hats and shiny designer shoes to show off their manhood and, of course, to impress the young women.The traditional dress of Zulu men has historically been the "bushe" or leopard-skin attire, but these young Durbanites are more inspired by the style of their uncles' and grandfathers' eras.With their colourful suits, patterned socks and smart Oxfords or loafers, the 4000 Society describe their fashion as "dapper and free".The latest fashion crew on the scene consists of Mawande Xaba, Marc Percy, musician and producer Zakes Bantwini, Marcellino, Mncedisi and Lungstar."Our aim is to uplift our city by appearing on the streets in dandy men's fashion. We also want to show off our style diversity as we mark the transformation from boys to men through fashion," says Lungstar.Lungstar says the group started, when they looked at old photos and were inspired by their uncles' swish outfits."'They used to dress up to go into town to look for jobs during the apartheid era."They wore suits to look presentable and respectable for their 'hustle'."The gentlemen of the 4000 Society are childhood friends, but they all have different jobs and different dreams for themselves.Another motivation for starting the collective was to keep in contact and create an environment where they could meet once a month to discuss common interests like fashion and business.The name of the club references Durban's postal code: 4000."'There are six members at the moment, but there could be more in the future," says Lungstar."We're building a brand and aim to create a gentlemen's club with like-minded men who want to up the ante of Durban's fashion scene."Perhaps images of expensive whisky, strippers and cigars come to mind when you think of a "gentlemen's club" but these gentlemen assured me they give each other feedback on the plans to achieve their life goals and how they can help each other grow...