Strike LA’s Standout Runway Moment: Chanel Métiers d’Art 2026
As the year comes to a close and the fashion industry looks ahead, conversations naturally turn to what’s next: new collaborations, new trends, and the creative visions set to define a new era. But before welcoming the future, there’s one runway moment we can’t leave behind. For Strike LA, the standout runway show of the year was undeniably Chanel Métiers d’Art 2026.
Photo by Chanel
This year marked a period of major transition for some of fashion’s most infamous houses. From Dior to Chanel, leadership changes sparked industry-wide buzz and anticipation. The moves of visionary designers Jonathan Anderson from Loewe to Dior and Matthieu Blazy from Bottega Veneta to Chanel raised pressing questions: How will these creatives usher in a new era while honoring the legacies of iconic houses? As trends evolve, how does creative direction shift without losing the DNA that made these brands timeless?
Blazy made his debut as Chanel’s Creative Director in October 2025 with the Spring/Summer 2026 collection at the Grand Palais in Paris. The show was a breath of fresh air with innovative, confident, and modern new styles, signaling a clear new direction for the house. Following this collection, one question lingered: what would Blazy bring to his first Chanel Métiers d’Art show, the brand’s ultimate celebration of craftsmanship and heritage?
Matthieu Blazy closing out his Chanel debut at the Grand Palais in Paris
Photo by Chanel
Photo by Chanel
Métiers d’Art is French for artistic crafts. Chanel’s Métiers d’Art shows are legendary displays of the exceptional artisanship behind luxury fashion, from intricate embroidery and textile work to specialized leather techniques. These collections are a testament to the talented hands behind the house, preserving heritage while pushing craftsmanship forward. Métiers d’Art shows are traditionally staged in fashion capitals abroad like Paris or Milan. Métiers d’Art shows are also synonymous with grandeur and exclusivity.
Intricate embroidery from Chanel’s Métiers d’Art ateliers, featured in Matthieu Blazy’s Métiers d’Art 2026 collection.
Photo by Chanel
That’s precisely why Blazy’s choice of location came as such a surprise.Instead of a grand venue abroad, Chanel unveiled its Métiers d’Art 2026 collection in the heart of New York City; specifically, the Delancey Street & Bowery subway station in Lower Manhattan. What initially seemed like a bold risk quickly revealed itself as a genius couture decision. Blazy transformed the everyday commute of New Yorkers into an immersive high-energy runway, bringing his collection to life.
Even before the first look hit the runway, Blazy set the tone with a playful, high-energy campaign film starring Chanel ambassadors A$AP Rocky and Margaret Qualley, directed by Michel Gondry. The short film portrayed the duo as a busy New York couple dressed in Chanel couture, culminating in a subway proposal that felt cinematic, charming, and unmistakably New York. It was a brilliant prelude that set expectations for a show rooted in movement, energy, and urban romance.
Photo by Chanel
Blazy’s attention to detail elevated the experience even further. Guests arriving at the station were handed newspapers filled with Chanel-inspired headlines and crossword puzzles, instantly immersing them in the narrative. It felt as though attendees weren’t just watching a show but they were waiting for the next stop on the Chanel line.
Opening the show was none other than 25-year-old model Bhavitha Mandava. Originally discovered on the subway, Mandava’s opening walk felt like a full-circle ode to New York City’s big lights and boundless dreams. Mandava made history as the first Indian woman to open a Chanel show, perfectly capturing Blazy’s commitment to a new era of authenticity.
Model Bhavitha Mandava opening Chanel Métiers d’Art 2026
Photo by Chanel
As models emerged from the subway, they wore reimagined Chanel classics: tweed, leopard print, and tailored silhouettes that nodded to Coco Chanel’s legacy while embracing a more relaxed, lived-in feel. Structured pieces softened into slouchier forms, designed for everyday wear. Blazy’s collection made luxury functional for the modern New Yorker.
Strike LA’s standout moments came from Blazy’s clever pop culture references and unmistakable nods to the city itself. A crystal-embellished “I ♥ NY” tee reimagined a tourist staple through the lens of Métiers d’Art craftsmanship. Skirts featured the New York skyline, while handbags referenced the Big Apple. These details injected edge and relevance to everyday New York classics, proving that couture does not have to be untouchable to be extraordinary.
Photo by Chanel
Chanel Métiers d’Art 2026 was a truly trailblazing moment that proved that couture can be playful, edgy, and deeply connected to real life again. Blazy’s vision marked a pivotal step toward bringing high-fashion runway shows back to the United States, redefining what luxury looks like in a contemporary, urban context. With this collection, Blazy set the tone for the fashion industry’s next chapter in this coming year.
Strike LA will be watching closely, and hoping that Los Angeles is the next step on the Chanel train.
Strike Out,
Writer: Andrea Arguello
Editor: Andrea Arguello
Los Angeles
