Eclecticism, self-expression, and French craftsmanship come together in CHANEL’s Métiers d’Art 2026 collection, unveiled in May 2026 through a deeply cinematic presentation set in the New York City subway.
Conceived by Matthieu Blazy, the collection explores fashion as a tool for transformation—an invitation to move between identities, eras, and attitudes with complete freedom.
“I like the idea that fashion allows you to be whoever you want to be,” says Blazy. “It’s almost like inventing your own superpowers.” The sentiment echoes the spirit of independence and reinvention that has long defined Gabrielle Chanel’s vision.
A Wardrobe in Motion
The collection moves effortlessly between the extraordinary and the everyday, drawing inspiration from silhouettes that span nearly a century of style. Long dresses, denim, hand-painted skirts, fluid tailoring, and elevated wardrobe essentials coexist alongside some of the House’s most recognizable signatures.
A contemporary lens reinterprets the iconic CHANEL suit, two-tone shoes, camellias, and pearls, weaving them throughout the collection in ways that feel both familiar and entirely new.
With a strong cinematic influence, the silhouettes evoke a cast of characters rather than a single archetype. Superheroes, students, working women, and socialites all appear within the same visual universe, united by a sense of movement, individuality, and freedom.
Functionality plays an equally important role. Flexible leather bags, wrap skirts, and versatile accessories bring a practical dimension to the collection while reinforcing its narrative character.
Among the standout details are leopard-print headpieces, bags inspired by giraffes and squirrels, animal-shaped brooches, and baseball caps—playful elements that underscore the collection’s eclectic and imaginative spirit.
Celebrating the Artisans Behind the House
At its core, Métiers d’Art remains a celebration of the exceptional craftsmanship that has shaped CHANEL’s creative identity for decades.
Intricate embroidery, animal-inspired tweeds, and Art Deco references highlight the work of the historic maisons d’art that collaborate with the House, including Lesage, Massaro, Goossens, Lemarié, Atelier Montex, and Maison Michel. All are part of le19M, CHANEL’s creative hub dedicated to preserving and advancing French savoir-faire, established in Paris in 2021.
Since 2002, the annual Métiers d’Art collections have served as a tribute to the artisans and workshops whose expertise lies at the heart of the House, reinforcing the dialogue between innovation, heritage, and craftsmanship.
A Cinematic Cast for a Cinematic Collection
Photographed by Craig McDean and filmed by Rahim Fortune in New York City, the campaign brings together an international cast including Anok Yai, Julia Nobis, Penelope Ternes, Bhavitha Mandava, Josephen Akuei, Jesi Evans, Feng Jiao, Anne Vyalitsyna, and Riley Lusher.
Together, they embody a diverse cast of CHANEL women—real and imagined—captured through a visual language that feels both sophisticated and unmistakably contemporary.
