Manneken Pis receives birthday costume
23 October the new outfit will be revealed
In honour of the 90th anniversary of the National Lottery, Kenza Vandeput, resident at MAD Brussels and founder of the fashion label Kasbah Kosmic, designed a new costume for Manneken Pis. The Brussels designer found inspiration in the long history of the National Lottery as well as in the seventeenth-century traditional costumes dating from the period when the statue of Manneken Pis was made. For the execution, she worked only with recycled and reclaimed materials.
90 years of the Lottery
Lotteries originated in Flanders in the 15th century, with the word ‘lottery’ coming from the Bruges word ‘lotinghe’. The very first lottery took place in 1441 on the Grote Markt in Bruges, laying the foundation for lotteries worldwide. The current National Lottery was founded in 1934 and grew into Belgian heritage. A 90th anniversary is not something you celebrate every day, which is why the choice was made to put the other famous pillar of Belgian heritage in a festive outfit: Manneken Pis.
For this occasion, the National Lottery looked for creative partners to dress the famous statue in the right outfit and joined forces with MAD Brussels, the centre for fashion and design, and designer Kenza Vandeput, founder of the label Kasbah Kosmic.
MAD Brussels and the National Lottery share the mission of supporting Brussels and Belgian talent, providing opportunities and putting them in the spotlight both nationally and internationally. Kenza Vandeput is one of those Belgian talents and makes an impression with her innovative approach to sustainable fashion. She works exclusively with recycled materials and gives clothes a second life through techniques such as embroidery, screen printing and patchwork.
For the costume of Manneken Pis, designer Kenza Vandeput used recycled materials from the National Lottery, including old flags, sportswear, scarves, festival bracelets and lottery gadgets. These materials tell the story of the evolution of the National Lottery and the projects it supports in the social, sports and cultural fields. This not only shows the social commitment of the National Lottery, but also ensures that Manneken Pis himself becomes a symbol of a more sustainable world.
Additionally, the design goes back to the historical origins of the lottery, which was founded in Bruges in the Middle Ages. Puff trousers, a characteristic garment of the time, are part of the costume as a tribute to that period. The ensemble is a mixture of different styles honouring Brussels, from historical references to trendy accessories such as sports shoes and a cap referring to the dragon of St-Michiel, the capital's symbol.
"With this project, the National Lottery celebrates 90 years of commitment to Belgian society by supporting charities and various cultural, social, sporting and scientific activities that strengthen the bond between all Belgians. This unique costume for Manneken Pis not only symbolises our rich history, but also our vision of a more sustainable and inclusive future. I would also like to thank designer Kenza Vandeput and MAD Brussels. The National Lottery is always glad to support Belgian talent." - Jannie Haek, CEO of the National Lottery
About designer Kenza Vandeput
Brussels-based designer Kenza Vandeput represents the rich culture of her Algerian and Belgian origins. This duality is not only reflected in her name, but also forms the essence of her brand Kasbah Kosmic. During a one-year course at the Royal Academy of Antwerp, Kenza expanded her expertise in vintage clothing, a key element in the development of her design philosophy. The experience taught her in-depth knowledge of the textile potential of second-hand clothing. She also increasingly focused on researching unique materials. It was therefore a logical step for Kenza to take a circular approach to her work.
Kenza's body of work goes beyond fashion. Her research into social art practices, by collaborating with various artists, attests to her commitment to ‘radical imagination’ and highlights her pursuit for a more inclusive society. Her mission is to promote a more vibrant and diverse world. In 2019, she launched the Kasbah Kosmic brand with the idea of using fashion to connect cultures and celebrate diversity. Her work showcases the power of inclusivity and the beauty that comes from embracing different backgrounds. Kenza also offers bespoke designs. As creative director, she designed bespoke garments for advertising campaigns, artists and exhibitions at renowned institutions such as the MIMA (Brussels), M HKA (Antwerp) and Droog Gallery in Amsterdam.
Practical information
Manneken Pis will wear the costume on Wednesday 23 October from 12h to 18h.
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