Tom Sachs Rebuilds Chanel's 31 Rue Cambon in Plywood at His New York Studio
At 245 Centre Street in Manhattan, Tom Sachs has recreated the iconic 31 Rue Cambon, the Parisian location that Gabrielle Chanel purchased in 1918. The exhibition, overseen by Colby Mugrabi, is open from September 11 to October 10, 2026. The exterior features cream awnings and black gates reminiscent of the original site, while the interior boasts beige carpeting, mirrored walls, glass display cases, and thirty-one suits that contribute to the overall effect. The installation includes plywood furniture, a chandelier made from bicycle reflectors, and suits crafted from plywood and paint. Notable accessories comprise cardboard slingbacks and brooches made from costume elements and LEGO. Sachs continues his tradition of deconstructing and reconstructing culturally significant items, showcasing his intense fascination with luxury.
Key facts
- Tom Sachs's exhibition 31 Rue Cambon is on view at his studio, 245 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013, from September 11th to October 10th, 2026.
- The installation recreates Gabrielle Chanel's 31 Rue Cambon in Paris, which she bought in 1918 and developed into her fashion house.
- Thirty-one suits are translated into three-quarter-inch plywood and paint, with bouclé simulated through dragged and thickened paint.
- Accessories include slingbacks rebuilt from cardboard and wood, and brooches using costume components and LEGO.
- The exhibition is curated by Colby Mugrabi and is open to the public.
- Sachs's 1998 work Chanel Guillotine (Breakfast Nook) attached the double-C insignia to a functioning guillotine.
- The storefront features cream awnings and black gates with interlocking Cs, while the interior has beige carpet, mirrored walls, and glass cases.
- Some plywood pieces take days to finish even though the raw material costs only a few dollars.
Entities
Artists
- Tom Sachs
- Gabrielle Chanel
- Colby Mugrabi
- Coco Chanel
- Elizabeth Taylor
- Olivia Rodrigo
- Marge Simpson
- Sofia Coppola
- Claes Oldenburg
- Princess Diana
- Linda Evangelista
- Margot Robbie
- Mary Boone
- Liza Minnelli
- Naomi Campbell
- Karl Lagerfeld
- Simon Doonan
Institutions
- Chanel
- Tom Sachs Studio
- designboom
- Centre Pompidou
- Galerie Magazine
- Barney’s New York
- Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute
- Louis Vuitton
- Hermès
- Vogue
Locations
- New York
- United States
- Manhattan
- Centre Street
- 245 Centre Street
- Paris
- France
- 31 Rue Cambon
- New York City
- SoHo
- London
- United Kingdom
- Milan
- Italy
- Soho