This project was born from heavy research on a subculture. The Zazous were a subculture in France during World War II, they defied the war, and the German occupation, and were considered decadent.

They adored everything that came from America, starting with music: They were swing jazz fans and listened to it in the Parisian cellars of the Latin Quarter, and this despite the curfews. By doing so, they proved once again that they mocked the political issues of the time.

They were young people expressing their individuality and dressing up in a very particular style: very dandy, a little quirky, and often colourful. The Zazous were fans of checkered patterns, on jackets, skirts or umbrellas. Men wore extra large jackets (similar to the zoot suit fashion in America, seen a few years before), while women wore short pleated skirts, striped stockings and bright red lipstick.

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Drawing inspiration from this subculture, I created a series of posters promoting swing dance classes in Brooklyn. I burrowed the tartan plaid patterns adored by the Zazous, and associated them to illustrations of jazz instruments. Then, I added the legs of swing jazz dancers that I found in archives, and made them look as if they were emerging from the trumpet, the double bass, or the saxophone. The typography, made from 40s inspired letterheads, is also dancing around the characters to create a playful composition. 

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So, ready to tap your feet, and step into fancy spins? Brooklyn Swings is waiting for you!