Just 10 years ago, before war and malnutrition engulfed the country, Congo ranked high among the world's producers of cobalt, copper, coltan and industrial diamonds. Yet more than three-quarters of the population live on less than a dollar a day, and one quarter -- that's 15 million people -- must survive on a single meal.

Mosengo can scarcely afford this passion for fashion. He worked eight months at his part-time job at a money-exchange shop to earn enough for the single outfit, one of 30 he owns, so he'll never have to wear the same one twice in a month.