On December 2, 2025, Chanel returned to New York City after a seven-year hiatus, turning an unused subway platform at Bowery Station into a living, breathing work of art for its Métiers d’Art 2026 show. In a city known for its energy, chaos, and ceaseless motion, Chanel captured the essence of New York and elevated the fashion show experience to a completely new dimension. This was not merely a runway—it was theater, cinema, and urban poetry fused into one unforgettable spectacle.
The Bowery Station platform was transformed into a cinematic set, redesigned with Chanel’s signature aesthetic in mind. Tiled walls glimmered under curated lighting, streetscapes were meticulously recreated, and the space was imbued with the textures, sounds, and rhythm of New York life. As guests walked through the turnstiles to enter, they were no longer spectators—they were commuters in Chanel’s surreal version of the city. Each step they took placed them directly in the midst of the show’s narrative, blurring the lines between everyday urban experience and high fashion.
At the start of the show, a moment of sheer theater unfolded: a subway train rolled in carrying models clad in the latest Métiers d’Art creations. They walked not like models on a conventional runway, but like New Yorkers navigating the platform, their movements fluid and uncontrived, weaving effortlessly between the architecture of the set. The choreography created a sense of real-world immersion rarely seen in fashion, evoking a city alive with style, confidence, and a touch of surrealism.
Fashion shows have taken place in subway stations before—Tom Ford staged his Spring 2020 show at Bowery platform blending grungy glamour with luxury streetwear; Jeremy Scott’s Moschino Pre-Fall 2020 collection transformed vintage subway cars at the NYC Transit Museum into a “love letter to New York”; even Calvin Klein (1974) and Chester Weinberg (1968) experimented with subway spaces. Yet Chanel’s interpretation was radically different: it ditched traditional glamour for gritty realism, turning a decommissioned platform into a vibrant, authentic commute scene. Diverse “archetypal” characters—teens, working girls, socialites—mingled, showcasing craftsmanship in everyday-inspired outfits, including classic Chanel suits paired with “I <3 NY” tees. The result was a relatable, magical “flurry of fleeting caught moments,” celebrating the real-life heroes of their own stories in the city’s urban “vortex,” rather than a fantasy of royalty or opulence.
Chanel enhanced the experience further with its own newspaper, La Gazette, printed exclusively for the event. Each copy captured the show’s spirit and the city’s pulse, offering attendees a keepsake that extended the artistic vision beyond the runway. With approximately 60 models participating, the presentation was a symphony of couture, craftsmanship, and storytelling, emphasizing Chanel’s unparalleled mastery of the Métiers d’Art collections.
The idea for the recent Chanel Métiers d’Art NYC show, celebrating its craftsmanship in a subway setting, came from Matthieu Blazy, the new Creative Director. Blazy envisioned a cinematic homage to New York’s diverse characters and the democratic, serendipitous energy of the subway system, merging Parisian artistry with the city’s grit. His goal was to create a sense of “happy chaos,” inspired by the spontaneous, chance encounters that define life underground, turning the platform into a living, unpredictable stage where couture meets real life.
The guest list read like a who’s who of contemporary culture and fashion. Celebrities, artists, designers, and influencers navigated the turnstiles , all converging to witness a spectacle that defied conventional expectations of a runway show. The experience was immersive, surreal, and ultimately transformative, redefining what it means to present fashion in a city that never sleeps.
Chanel’s Bowery Station Métiers d’Art 2026 show was more than a display of couture—it was an artistic statement, a city symphony, and a bold reminder that fashion, when imagined without limits, becomes timeless art. New York’s streets, subways, and spirit were never more stylishly, audaciously captured than in this extraordinary event.
Immerse yourself in the artistry—view the Métiers d’Art 2026 show here.