Mannekin Pis in Johnny Hallyday’s iconic rock 'n' roll outfit

Brussels’ famous Mannekin Pis was given a new rock ‘n’ roll look earlier this week, reports RTBF. To mark the fifth anniversary of the death of Johnny Hallyday, the statue was dressed up in a costume evoking one of the iconic singer’s stage outfits.

In a collaboration between Hallyday’s widow, Laeticia, and the Tempora agency, Mannekin Pis sported a red blouse and a black leather outfit with silver inlay.

His 1,105th costume commemorated the singer’s status as a welcomed guest in the city of Brussels. This was especially true when he insisted in going ahead with his concert at Palais 12, only four days after the Brussels bombings in 2016.

The costume in question is a reference to the outfit Hallyday wore during his famous 1993 concert at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. Brussels city mayor Philip Close remembers him fondly: “He was one of those musicians who gave it all during his concerts. If any artist should be seen live, it was him.”

Mannekin Pis will don the same outfit on 20 December. It marks the inauguration of Tempora’s Johnny Hallyday exhibition at Brussels Expo, where a collection of objects and memorabilia from his career and personal life will go on display.