Algerian Heritage Gets a Psychedelic Spin in This Brussels-Based Label

Kenza Taleb Vandeput is building a world where Algeria meets Brussels—and nothing gets lost in translation.

As a third culture kid, she grew up somewhere in the in-between. Too Arab for Belgium, too European for Algeria. That dislocation—subtle, persistent—became the starting point for Kasbah Kosmic, the sustainable label she founded in 2021. A space where heritage doesn’t have to be diluted, and sustainability isn’t a trend but a tool for storytelling.

Based in Brussels but rooted in the textures and codes of North Africa, Kasbah Kosmic creates one-off pieces from upcycled materials—curtains, vintage bedspreads, forgotten fabrics that carry the energy of previous lives. The result is a collection of genderless, ageless garments that fuse tradition with edge. Think bold prints, folkloric hints, silhouettes that sidestep convention—all cut for a new generation of diasporic Arabs redefining where and how they belong.

In a conversation with SceneStyled, Taleb Vandeput opens up about navigating identity, designing across cultures, and why upcycling isn’t just an aesthetic—it’s a way to honour memory. “These fabrics remind me of home,” she says. “They’ve seen things. They hold stories. I'll just give them another one.”

How has your multicultural upbringing shaped your perspective on style?

I see my cultural mix as a space for experimentation—a space to build. That’s really where Kasbah Kosmic started: a journey through the in-between. The movement between cultures inspires me constantly. It’s never fixed. That fluidity gives me the freedom to explore and express without limits.

Was fashion always the goal?

Not exactly. I worked as a social worker for five years before shifting focus to the brand. I did study for a year at the Royal Academy of Antwerp, but fashion wasn’t some endgame for me—it was just something I couldn’t shake. I’d work by day and spend evenings in my atelier. My love for clothing, and the attitude it holds, never really went away.

What’s the story behind the name Kasbah Kosmic?

The Kasbah is a place of memory for me—historic, winding streets full of life. It feels like home. Kosmic came from something I was raised to believe: that we’re just a small part of a vast, infinite universe. It’s my version of the Kasbah—not just rooted in heritage, but open to the unknown.

Your pieces are both gender and age-inclusive. How do you create designs that resonate across such a wide spectrum?

Upcycling plays a big role. The fabrics I use—curtains, upholstery, old garments—they carry emotional weight. Maybe it’s the print, maybe the texture. People connect with them, regardless of age or gender. My customers range from Gen Z creatives to older women. That’s the beauty of working with material that’s already lived a life.

Tell us about your process—how do you choose your fabrics and prints?

The material always comes first. It drives the design. That approach keeps me grounded and connected to my environment. I gravitate toward curtains and vintage upholstery—those fabrics often have bold, graphic patterns and are built to last. I love reworking them, adding monograms or imagery that shifts their context. Upcycling lets me combine elements from different places and histories, and that’s deeply personal—it mirrors my own identity. Honestly, I feel like an upcycled jacket myself.

Since launching the label, what moments have meant the most to you?

Leaving my job to commit fully was a big one. Then there have been beautiful moments—shoots, exhibitions, collaborations. But what’s been most powerful is personal growth. Last year was rough, and Kasbah Kosmic gave me something to hold onto. It grounded me. It reminded me who I am—and where I’m going.