Maasmechelen Village kicked off the new season by putting the very best Belgium has to offer front and centre in a colourful partnership with renowned Belgian designer Charles Kaisin.
Running until 13 October 2019, the ‘Proud to be Belgian’ installation will see the Village – one of 11 fashion destinations within The Bicester Village Shopping Collection – filled with an architectural display of spheres in the colours of the Belgian flag, while a pop-up restaurant will offer must-try food and drink that’s unique to the region.
Providing exclusive access to artistic talent, be it emerging or established designers in fashion, art or design, is part of Maasmechelen Village’s drive to create extraordinary experiences for its guests – and this colourful installation is no exception.
Giant spheres in vibrant red, yellow and black will sprout from the roofs of the Village’s clock and entrance towers, as well as at various key locations in the Village, while Kaisin’s exclusively designed print will cover boutique facades and the Village streets.
In a proud showcase of Belgian culture, Kaisin takes inspiration for his spherical design from the Atomium building – originally built for the World Expo in 1958 – as well as the three colours in the country’s flag and the shape of a football, in a nod to the national team that has united the country in recent years.
What’s more, the architect extraordinaire is lending his vivid imagination to Brussels’ iconic Manneken Pis sculpture, which has been recreated in the main Village square in a one-of-a-kind display. A six-metre-high 3D-printed figure – the largest of its kind to ever be created in Belgium – will replicate the original bronze statue.
Meanwhile a pop-up restaurant, ‘Made in Belgium’, will offer guests a chance to enjoy classic Belgian hospitality. There will be traditional pistolet bread, charcuterie and cheese platters served on wooden boards shaped like Belgium, famed beers and much more, as well as a section of homeware souvenirs for those wishing to take the experience home with them. Inside, the unique space will be covered entirely in Kaisin’s print, while a ball pool on the mezzanine level will offer the perfect spot for an Instagram-worthy photo shoot.
One of the country’s leading designers, Charles Kaisin graduated from London’s Royal College of Art and has gained international acclaim for his surreal works of art and collaborations with prestigious brands. His most notable works include:
- Installations at the Casino of Monte Carlo and Centre Pompidou in Paris
- Surreal dinners held in association with Cartier and Rolls Royce
- Architectural designs for Hotel Almaha Marrakech
- Unique product designs for collaborations with the likes of Hermès, Delvaux and Serax
ABOUT MAASMECHELEN VILLAGE
Located at the crossroads where Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands meet, Maasmechelen Village basks in the sunshine of neighbouring Antwerp and Brussels, an irresistible combination of surrealist art (thanks to its famous son, Magritte) and incredible food. Discover more than 100 boutiques offering fashion and luxuries for the home, with savings of up to 60% on the recommended retail price, seven days a week and all year round. Curving along flag-stoned malls, Maasmechelen Village blends cutting-edge fashion labels with its own brand of Belgian hospitality. The Village is a reflection of Brussel’s urbane evolution and simultaneously celebrates its heritage with architecture influenced by the Limburg region for a cosy, yet contemporary feel. Discover more at MaasmechelenVillage.com
