On Centre Street in New York’s SoHo, a Chanel boutique has recently “opened.” This is the installation exhibition 31 Rue Cambon, co-curated by American contemporary artist Tom Sachs and fashion historian Colby Mugrabi, rebuilding this classic store address in New York using plain materials. Walking in, it looks exactly like a Chanel boutique, but the displayed garments are all made of wooden boards, then painted and finished to simulate luxurious fabrics and decorative techniques such as tweed and embroidery. The classic Flap Bag naturally makes an appearance, alongside footwear, jewelry built from LEGO and various everyday objects. It reads both as a playful ode to consumerism and a humorous look at today’s luxury world. Sachs says every work here is essentially a sculpture — “you can’t wear these clothes” — continuing in spirit from Claes Oldenburg’s 1961 The Store: a hamburger you can’t eat, a television you can’t watch, or a dress you can’t wear, yet they remain beautiful sculptures. Mugrabi adds from the perspective of contemporary luxury culture that window displays are now an inseparable part of the luxury experience — sometimes a boutique’s exterior matters as much as walking inside.
FAQ
Q: What are the characteristics of the exhibits?
A: The garments are all made of wooden boards, painted to simulate fabric techniques, alongside a classic Flap Bag, footwear and LEGO-built jewelry — presented as sculptures forming a Chanel store that “doesn’t exist.”
Q: When and where is the exhibition open?
A: Tom Sachs’ 31 Rue Cambon is open to the public free of charge from Friday, September 11 to Saturday, October 10. It’s held at Tom Sachs Studio, 245 Centre Street, Manhattan; opening hours are Thursdays and Fridays 6–8 PM, and Saturdays 1–6 PM, closed Sunday through Wednesday.
