Coming up: Halloween at The Standard, Brussels

This Halloween, The Standard, Brussels is diving headfirst into the dreamlike — and a little nightmarish — world of Belgian surrealism. Forget melting clocks and floating bowler hats — they’re exploring the stranger, deeper corners of the subconscious. To give party-goers the inspirations they need The Standard, Brussels is already sharing some outfit and makeup looks.

The Standard has built a global reputation for hosting legendary events. The New York outpost along the High Line, for instance, is known for its infamous MET Gala afterparties, fashion soirées, and Halloween celebrations. And Brussels is no different! After an unforgettable opening night in May 2025 featuring Honey Dijon and Lefto behind the decks, The Standard, Brussels is gearing up for another major celebration — à la belge.

It’s not just a party (though Bradley Zero will make sure you forget what time is). It’s a full-scale ode to Belgium’s rich artistic heritage — where art, fashion, and illusion meet under one perfectly peculiar umbrella.

“By choosing Surrealism as the theme for Halloween, we’re not only giving a nod to The Standard’s epic parties worldwide, but also paying tribute to Belgium’s rich legacy of art and fashion,” says Nienke Verwer, Marketing & Culture Director at The Standard, Brussels.

To inspire guests, The Standard, Brussels teamed up with top creative talents to create a visual shoot featuring a selection of striking makeup and fashion looks. Styling and art direction were led by none other than Tom Eerebout, stylist to international icons such as Lady Gaga, while Michaël Smits handled the photography — known for his work with Belgian fashion houses including Fragille, NATAN, and Christian Wijnants.

“We wanted to elevate the Halloween theme by bridging it with high fashion,” explains Nienke.

All clothing pieces seen in the images are drawn from the graduation collections of students from CAD, De Mode Academie, and La Cambre. Makeup looks were created by Jessie Lefler, key makeup artist at M·A·C Cosmetics Belgium, with each look designed to be recreatable at home.

HOW TO by M·A·C Cosmetics.

“HAUNTING”

Step 1: Hide the Brows

Apply a thin layer of Elmer’s Glue over the brows to flatten them completely. Set with translucent powder, dust off the excess, and press a thick layer of concealer over top with a sponge for a smooth, opaque finish.

Products: Studio Fix Translucent Powder, Studio Fix Conceal & Correct Palettes

Step 2: Create a Ghostly Base

Mix a liquid highlighter with a white base and buff it over the face and lips using a dense foundation brush. This combination gives a luminous, hauntingly pale glow that catches the light beautifully. Blend out the edges softly.

Products: Skinfinish Lightstruck Liquid Highlighter “Glacial”, Paint Stick “Pure White”

Step 3: Drenched in Red

Paint the lower half of the face and neck with a red paint stick. Use a firm brush to ensure an even, intense finish. Complete the look with a sharp red lip for a glamorous, powerful twist.

Products: Paint Stick “Basic Red”, Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick “Feels So Grand”

“UNSETTLING”

Step 1: Build the Base

Sketch a simple eye shape with a light beige pencil, using your own eyes as a guide. Fill in with flat tones — your iris color in the center, white around it. Add depth with blended concealers to create highlights and shadows for a 3D illusion. Finish with soft pink touches along the waterline for realism.

Products: Chromagraphic Pencil NC15/NW20, Paintstick Palette, Studio Fix 24H Concealer, 231 Brush

Step 2: Add Definition

Draw the pupil with black eyeliner for contrast. Blend gray shadow along the upper lash line to mimic natural shadowing, then add a secondary hue to the iris for texture and realism.

Products: Brushstroke 24H Eyeliner, Paintstick Palette, Eyeshadow “Scene”

Step 3: Depth & Highlights

Use black eyeliner to draw lower lashes, then add tiny white highlights for dimension. For extra impact, apply a false lash on the upper lash line.

Products: Brushstroke 24H Eyeliner, White Paintstick, False Lashes “Idol Lash”, 210 Brush, Duo Eyelash Adhesive

“MYTHICAL”

Step 1: Sketch the Structure

With a white pencil, lightly trace guide lines that follow the natural contours of the face — reminiscent of a skeletal form for a subtle skull effect.

Product: Eye Kohl “Fascinating”

Step 2: Illuminate the Design

Trace over the lines with metallic shades, varying the thickness to create an organic, otherworldly feel.

Products: Dazzleshadow Liquid “Silver Surfer”, 209 Brush

Step 3: Embellish the Lines

Add gems along the lines, securing them with lash glue for a celestial, almost divine finish.

Products: Duo Eyelash Adhesive, Gems

SHOOT DETAILS 

Art Direction & Styling: Tom Eerebout, assisted by Florine Meulemans 

Photography: Michaël Smits, assisted by Seppe Elewaut 

Make-up and Hair: Jessie Lefler for M·A·C Cosmetics, assisted by Maud Eben and Janis Deroo 

Models: Galatea Rommelaere, Quentin Isekusu, Alain Lima 

THE STANDARD, BRUSSELS x HALLOWEEN

Friday October 31st

9 pm till late

Line-up: Bradley Zero, more to be announced

The Greenhouse at The Standard

Koning Albert II laan 30, 1000 Brussel

Tickets & info: https://www.standardhotels.com/brussels/happenings/surrealism_halloween

FOR CONSUMERS

Through The Standard, Brussels website, anyone can book a hotel stay, including breakfast until October 31, which also grants free access to the Halloween party in the evening. In addition, hotel guests automatically have a chance to win the perfect Halloween make-up look by M·A·C Cosmetics.

About The Standard
The Standard hotels are known for their pioneering design, taste-making clientele, and unrelenting un-standard-ness. Be it a city hotel, seaside resort, or rooftop bar, the goal of every Standard project is to defy convention, up the aesthetic stakes and create a cultural hub. The Standard hotels are not just places to stay, but places to play in New York, Miami, London, Ibiza, Bangkok, Hua Hin, Maldives, Pattaya and Singapore. Further developments are underway in Lisbon, Mexico City and Tulum along with branded residences opening in Miami, Lisbon, Mexico City, Phuket and Hua Hin. The Standard brand is now part of Hyatt’s lifestyle group and will soon join World of Hyatt.

Website: StandardHotels.com/Brussels
Instagram: @thestandardbrussels

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company guided by its purpose – to care for people so they can be their best. As of December 31, 2024, the Company's portfolio included more than 1,400 hotels and all-inclusive properties in 79 countries across six continents. The Company's offering includes brands in the :

• Luxury Portfolio, including Park Hyatt®, Alila®, Miraval®, Impression by Secrets, and The Unbound Collection by Hyatt®;

• Lifestyle Portfolio, including Andaz®, Thompson Hotels®, The Standard®, Dream® Hotels, The StandardX, Breathless Resorts & Spas®, JdV by Hyatt®, Bunkhouse® Hotels, and Me and All Hotels;

• Inclusive Collection, including Zoëtry® Wellness & Spa Resorts, Hyatt Ziva®, Hyatt Zilara®, Secrets® Resorts & Spas, Dreams® Resorts & Spas, Hyatt Vivid Hotels & Resorts, Sunscape® Resorts & Spas, and Alua Hotels & Resorts®;

• Classics Portfolio, including Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Destination by Hyatt®, Hyatt Centric®, Hyatt Vacation Club®, and Hyatt®;

• Essentials Portfolio, including Caption by Hyatt®, Hyatt Place®, Hyatt House®, Hyatt Studios, and UrCove.

  
  Subsidiaries of the Company operate the World of Hyatt® loyalty program, ALG Vacations®, Mr & Mrs Smith, Unlimited Vacation Club®, Amstar® DMC destination management services, and Trisept Solutions® technology services.

Website: www.hyatt.com