SUBWAY COUTURE

Creative director Matthieu Blazy dreams of an inclusive Chanel, choosing a subway station for its Metiers d’Art 2026 show

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NEW YORK-On a drizzly Tuesday evening, one subway station in New York City's Bowery district was not like the others.

Instead of harried commuters, the crowd waiting on the platform comprised the biggest names in fashion, film, music and publishing, dressed to the nines in mostly Chanel. They were waiting for a train - not to take them away, but to deposit its passenger load of impeccably outfitted models.

For one day on Dec 2, a decommissioned part of Manhattan's Bowery station was transformed into a runway, in a takeover by French luxury house Chanel for its Metiers d'Art 2026 show.

The annual show, staged in a different city and which takes inspiration from its destination for its collection, was French creative director Matthieu Blazy's first since he started at Chanel in April 2025.

Red bleacher seats in three tiers had been added to one side of the platform, built on top of a working track.

At the evening show, stars mingled with top editors, fashion commentators, influencers and very important clients (VICS, or brand's top clientele, in industry speak).

Newly minted Chanel ambassador, American rapper A$AP Rocky, posed for photos, slouchy burgundy satchel and Celestial Globe Bag in hand. Steps away, K-pop star GDragon was settling into his seat, jet-black frames doing little to conceal his identity.

American model Karlie Kloss sauntered over and plonked herself in the first row, right in front of this reporter's seat, before turning around to exchange air kisses and hellos with the person behind.

Then, a dimming of lights and a change in the music dulled the chatter. "Stand clear of the closing doors, please!" came the announcement as the lights of an oncoming subway train pulled into view. And so we were off.

SCENES IN THE SUBWAY