WeWantMore Highlights Drag Legacy of Brussels’ Le Grand Café with Giant 3D Murals.

Belgian design studio WeWantMore celebrates the heritage and inclusive ethos of Brussels’ Le Grand Café with their giant 3D wall murals, bringing a sense of fun and exuberance back into the space that once housed numerous drag shows. The studio explains that the art of drag becomes the focus of their design as they became fascinated by the craft, devotion, theatricality and the expressive nature of drag performances.

The café, originally built in 1876, became the backdrop to years of colourful shows, a legacy that WeWantMore managed to distil into a series of hanging wall murals. The designers explain, “although performing in drag is about more than putting on some make-up, it does illustrate the true artistry of a queen – an element we tapped into to create the drag queen portraits.”

“The contours, highlights, brows, and lips were traced back to their most abstract forms,” says the studio. “No real make-up for these queens though, they are made up out of different marbles, brushed brass, plexiglass, velour, leather, and punctured metal.”

The eclectic mix of materials, textures, and colours creates a multi-faceted art object. Exaggerated features and oversized jewellery capture a sense of fun, while a muted material palette creates a sophisticated and elegant piece. The murals do not exist in the space with a loud and overwhelming presence – instead, they stand as a true celebration of culture and inclusivity.

“The geometrical shapes and art deco colours of the drag queen portraits return in the visual identity,” outlines the studio who also created the new brand for the cafe. “They resurface in the design of the menu, the coasters, and the stationery. The logo reflects the inclusive nature of the drag community.”

[Images courtesy of WeWantMore. Photography by BILD studio.]