designboom · Creativity & design

Tom Sachs Recreates Chanel's 31 Rue Cambon in Plywood

Artist Tom Sachs has transformed his New York studio into a replica of Chanel's iconic 31 Rue Cambon boutique, using plywood and everyday materials to reconstruct the luxury fashion house's aesthetic.

The installation features cream awnings, black gates with interlocking Cs, beige carpet, and mirrored walls, mimicking the original Parisian address. However, upon closer inspection, the luxurious facade is revealed to be meticulously handcrafted from materials like plywood, bicycle reflectors, cardboard, and LEGOs.

Sachs and his studio recreated 31 Chanel suits from three-quarter-inch plywood and paint, studying the original proportions of jackets and skirts. Textures like bouclé are achieved through layered paint, and buttons are intricately detailed.

Accessories, including slingbacks and brooches, are also reimagined using cardboard, wood, and costume components, demonstrating how Chanel's visual codes can be translated into unconventional materials.

This project continues Sachs' career-long practice of deconstructing and rebuilding culturally significant objects using his signature materials, making the labor and construction visible.

Previously, Sachs explored Chanel's branding in his 1998 "Chanel Guillotine" piece, merging luxury with elements of violence. The current installation, while gentler in appearance, maintains a similar focus on deconstructing and reconstructing luxury.

The "31 Rue Cambon" installation is open to the public at Tom Sachs Studio in New York from September 11th to October 10th, 2026.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.