Belgian family makes costumes for historic carnival
STORY: This costume maker is preparing for
one of Europe’s oldest street carnivals
Location: Binche, Belgium
The Binche carnival is a UNESCO World
Heritage Event, rooted in the Middle Ages
Fanny Kersten’s family has been making
costumes for it for five generations
(Fanny Kersten, Folk costume designer)
"This year, we are celebrating the 120th anniversary of the start of the 'Gilles de Binche' costumes production by the Kersten family. 120 years this year. So I am the fifth generation and, 120 years ago, my great-great-grandfather decided to make a Gilles hat following a bet with his friends. It mustn't have been easy for him but it worked out. Afterwards, his children took over, and generation after generation, it went on."
It can take up to 13 hours of work
for intricate pieces like this feather hat
The family makes about 300 costumes per year
