The Facts
On September 11, 2026, Thaddaeus Ropac announced Tom Sachs's new project, an ersatz Chanel store at 31 Rue Cambon on Centre Street in New York's SoHo neighborhood. Sachs collaborated with fashion historian Colby Mugrabi to create a simulacrum of the iconic Paris retail location, constructed entirely from humble materials including plywood painted to evoke tweed and embroidery. The installation features dresses, accessories such as the iconic flap shoulder bag, and jewelry made from Legos. Sachs described the pieces as sculptures, drawing a comparison to Claes Oldenburg's 1961 The Store. Mugrabi noted the importance of window dressing in contemporary luxury retail, and Sachs's prior experience working on Barneys New York store windows was mentioned.
The Signal
The project marks a pointed commentary on consumerism and luxury branding, blending homage with satire in a medium that recalls Oldenburg's approach to everyday objects. For collectors and curators, this installation represents a significant moment in Sachs's ongoing exploration of material culture and brand critique, and it may carry relevance for those tracking intersections between contemporary art and fashion. The use of plywood and found objects underscores a DIY ethos that has defined much of Sachs's career, while the Chanel reference locks the work into a broader discourse on status and fabrication in the art market.
- Artists: Tom Sachs
- People: Colby Mugrabi
- Galleries: Thaddaeus Ropac
- Locations: New York
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