A legendary Parisian address reimagined in Manhattan
In 1918, Gabrielle Chanel established her iconic 31 Rue Cambon in Paris, a masterpiece of luxury with its boutique, couture salons, and mirrored staircase. Fast forward a century, and artist Tom Sachs reinterprets this aura at his studio on Centre Street in Manhattan. The gallery, open to the public, features signature elements like cream awnings and black gates adorned with the famous interlocking Cs.
Inside, the installation mirrors Chanel’s lavish aesthetic with beige carpets, mirrored walls, and elegantly arranged jackets. However, upon closer inspection, the materials betray a clever twist. What appears luxurious is primarily crafted from plywood, with chandeliers boasting bicycle reflector facets.
Tom Sachs redefines timeless couture crafted from humble materials
Thirty-one plywood suits line the walls, each meticulously crafted to mimic Chanel designs. Sachs and his team used tools more common in a hardware store than a couture atelier, rendering bouclé with textured paint and precisely detailed buttons. These creations may cost mere dollars in materials but demand days to complete, blending humor with dedication.
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Other accessories in the installation, such as slingbacks and brooches, are ingeniously reconstructed from cardboard and LEGO, yet they unmistakably evoke the Chanel brand. Despite using everyday materials, the artist reshapes the visual grammar of luxury with precision.
Reconstructing luxury’s visual language
Tom Sachs advances his career by deconstructing and reassembling culturally significant objects using signature materials like plywood and foam. This process has included everything from spacecraft to Chanel insignias. His early work, including the 1998 piece “Chanel Guillotine (Breakfast Nook),” is emblematic of this method, blending luxury and controversial imagery.
This current installation is a continuation of his exploration of luxury. While softer in presentation, it retains the artist’s fixation on meticulous recreation. Time and plywood transform into Chanel’s iconic style inside Sachs’s studio.
The storefront at 245 Centre Street adopts Chanel’s cream awnings and the iconic double-C emblem. Here, Sachs morphs these elements into an art piece that dances between authenticity and imitation.
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Inside, Chanel’s bouclé is meticulously painted onto plywood suits that emulate couture sculptures. Again, the artist converts ordinary materials into extraordinary forms.
The installation captures the choreography of luxury retail, despite having nothing for sale. Sachs turns the concept of commerce into an exercise of aesthetic appreciation.
Project Info:
Name: 31 Rue Cambon
Artist: Tom Sachs | @tomsachs
Location: Tom Sachs Studio, 245 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013
Curator: Colby Mugrabi
Dates: September 11th — October 10th, 2026
Sources & Links
Source: designboom.com
Frequently asked questions
What materials does Tom Sachs use in his installation?
Tom Sachs primarily uses plywood and everyday materials like cardboard and LEGO. His installation features creations crafted from these materials that mimic luxury designs.
Where is Tom Sachs’s Chanel-inspired installation located?
The installation is located at Tom Sachs Studio, 245 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013.
What does the Tom Sachs installation emulate?
The installation emulates Chanel’s iconic style by using ordinary materials to create sculptures that mimic couture designs.