The Chanel Metiers d’art 2026 show takes a bite of the Big Apple
“The New York subway belongs to all. Everyone uses it: there are students and gamechangers; statesmen and teenagers. It is a place full of enigmatic yet wonderful encounters, a clash of pop archetypes, where everyone has somewhere to go and each is unique in what they wear,” says Matthieu Blazy. The creative director of Chanel makes his Métiers d’art debut, showing his collection at the abandoned Bowery subway station in Manhattan.
The subway becomes a runway and out walks the women of New York through time: swing dancers, socialites, superheroes, tourists, and tastemakers. They emerge from carriages in a beautifully choreographed way that mimics the chaos of catching the train in real life. The cinematic scene is reminiscent of Karl Lagerfeld’s naturalistic staging of “un grand magasin” or supermarket from Chanel’s Fall/Winter 2014 show.
Each look allows the genius of Chanel’s maisons d’art or specialist workshops and in-house couturiers to shine. The classic ‘I ♡ NY’ souvenir shirt is reconfigured with skill. As with Blazy’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection, there are striking feather details; plumed fringes and coats are the work of 140-year-old Parisian studio, Lemarié. There is a slubbed leopard tweed, specially commissioned and handwoven from Lesage, and separately, a leopard fascinator from the Maison Michel milliners. A leopard-patterned tulip skirt flashes by in turquoise. Minaudières are collectible gems, such as an oyster with a pearl inside, and joined by jewellery crafted by the goldsmiths of Goossens. Even silk linings of garments feature hand-painted designs, including a playful one of Coco Chanel walking her dog in New York. Bold and extravagant or elegant and muted, there is no shortage of artistry in Blazy’s Métiers d’art collection.
In every aspect, from design down to casting and staging, this sophomore collection furthers Blazy’s casual-ification of Chanel without sacrificing its craftsmanship. It is an effort that is propelling the century-old French luxury brand’s popularity among a younger demographic and etching itself into mainstream culture. And when accessibility is the name of the game, Chanel’s increasingly globalised approach to fashion makes complete sense. Following its Cruise 2026 collection’s successful journey to Singapore, Chanel will be re-staging its Métiers d’art 2026 in Seoul, Korea; the show will take place on 26 May 2026.
