TOM SACHS "31 RUE CAMBON"

"31 Rue Cambon" by Tom Sachs at 245 Center St. (first one on the left is "Tom's favorite"!)

What happens when Chanel meets the hardware store? 

For 31 Rue Cambon, Sachs turns the mythology of Chanel into something wonderfully off-kilter. The familiar elements are all there — tweed suits, quilted bags, brooches, double C's and ballet flats — but nothing is quite what it seems. Luxury is rebuilt in plywood, paint, cardboard... and legos. Keep reading for a look inside...

Look up in the entryway and see a chandelier made of... woks and bike reflectors!

The setting is just as much a part of the work. Instead of a pristine fashion gallery, the installation feels closer to stepping into Sachs’ workshop, where couture has been pulled apart and put back together by hand. Enter into a mirrored vestibule, with a chandelier of bike reflectors and woks. Then proceed into the gallery space, and enjoy quickly--there's a 5 minute limit.

Bags and ballet flats made of cardboard

Inside, Chanel’s signature styles are rendered in materials that are almost aggressively un-precious. The closer you look, the more the craftsmanship comes through. The rough edges aren't hidden; they're part of the point. 31 Rue Cambon sits somewhere between homage, parody and obsession — a very Tom Sachs way of looking at fashion. He takes something we already know intimately and makes it strange again. See for yourself at 245 Centre Street until October 10. 

Look closely!

Strategically engineered slingback

Lego jewelry

Stored behind glass

Looks "legit" from afar

Installation view

"Diana" (2025); synthetic polymer on plywood with steel bracket and hardware; Reference 1997 SS by Karl Lagerfeld

Jacket

Timed viewing - each guest has exactly 5 minutes to enjoy the space

Jacket displayed in the "storefront"

Official "invite" credit: Tom Sachs