Chanel Went Underground... Literally. Inside the 2026 Métiers d’Art Spectacle
By Alexus Mosley
Photo Credit: Chanel
Chanel took NYC underground for its Métiers d’Art 2026 show… literally. For Matthieu Blazy’s second collection at the French fashion house, Chanel transformed an inactivated subway station beneath Bowery on the Lower East Side into a glittering runway, blending Parisian craftsmanship with raw downtown energy.
The normally abandoned station received a full Chanel makeover. Walls were given a fresh coat of paint, LED lights lined the platform, and the utilitarian grit of the MTA softened under couture-level detailing. Guests were seated on rows of classic subway benches, redesigned to feel equal parts nostalgic and luxurious, like stepping into a cinematic version of New York that exists only in Chanel’s universe.
Photo Credit: Chanel
In one of the most unforgettable runway moments of the year, models arrived by train, stepping out of subway cars as if commuting to work. Except their “morning routine” included tweed, pearls, beaded slip dresses, and meticulously embroidered jackets. They strutted up and down the platform with commuter-like precision, turning the daily NYC rush into a choreography of style and craftsmanship.
The underground spectacle drew a packed celebrity crowd. Chanel ambassadors A$AP Rocky, Charlotte Casiraghi, and Kristen Stewart led the front-row lineup, joined by fashion icons and cultural figures including Linda Evangelista, Teyana Taylor, Sofia Coppola, and Dapper Dan.
Blazy’s vision for Métiers d’Art 2026 honored the artisans, house, and the city with a reputation for never sleeping. The message was unmistakable. Luxury belongs anywhere beauty is created… even beneath the streets of New York.
