In 1918, Gabrielle Chanel purchased 31 rue Cambon, transforming it into a legendary fashion nerve center. Fast forward a century, and artist Tom Sachs has reimagined this iconic address at his studio on Centre Street in Manhattan. With cream awnings and signature black gates, Sachs reconstructs Chanel’s prestigious atmosphere through a playful yet reverent lens, creating a plywood homage to Chanel.
Plywood Ode to Chanel: Couture Meets Plywood in a Visual Resurgence
Thirty-one suits, each crafted from three-quarter-inch plywood and paint, line the installation. Sachs draws inspiration from decades of Chanel, meticulously translating the essence of their couture pieces using hardware store materials. This creative tribute can be seen as bouclé textures emerge from drag-applied paint, while buttons are delicately painted. Despite the inexpensive basics, each creation commands a presence, merging humor with high art.
Accessories further this playful deception. Cardboard and wood become Chanel slingbacks, while LEGO pieces add sparkle to brooches. The transformation continues as Sachs replaces cloth with scrap materials, yet the visual grammar of Chanel remains instantly recognizable, proving that luxury’s essence lies as much in its proportions as in its materials.
Rebuilding Luxury from the Ground Up
Tom Sachs, known for deconstructing culturally significant items, applies his unique methodology here. His work spans spacecraft, sneakers, and more, always leaving the construction seams visible. Chanel has long intrigued him; in 1998, his Chanel Guillotine mingled opulent branding with raw, historical violence.
For a deeper dive into reimagining iconic spaces, discover how Longchamp’s NYC boutique pays homage to Heatherwick’s Green Staircase, blending architecture with fashion.
This current installation offers a gentler exploration, yet maintains a focus on painstaking reproduction. The ornate detailing transforms the studio at 245 Centre Street into a whimsical reflection of Chanel’s legacy, without a single item for sale.
The arrangement captures the meticulous choreography of luxury retail and presents it in an artistic, tactile form that delights in its own craftsmanship.
This artistic declaration, with its transformation from tweed to plywood, offers a striking testament to Chanel’s enduring visual language, even rendered in surprising materials.
Explore another creative transformation as Thélonious Goupil turns a plywood box into a functional guest room, showcasing innovative use of simple materials.
Curated by Colby Mugrabi, the installation is open to the public from September 11th to October 10th, 2026, inviting visitors to experience Chanel’s luxury recast in Tom Sachs’ inimitable style.
@tomsachs
Sources & Links
Source: designboom.com
Frequently asked questions
What materials did Tom Sachs use for the installation?
Tom Sachs used three-quarter-inch plywood and paint to craft thirty-one suits. He also utilized hardware store materials like cardboard and wood for accessories, and LEGO pieces for brooch sparkle.
How does Tom Sachs’ installation pay homage to Chanel?
The installation reimagines Chanel through a playful yet reverent lens, using plywood to translate the essence of Chanel’s couture pieces. Despite using inexpensive materials, the visual grammar of Chanel’s style remains recognizable.
When is Tom Sachs’ installation open to the public?
The installation curated by Colby Mugrabi is open to the public from September 11th to October 10th, 2026.