On March 13, 2026, a long line formed outside Chanel's 57th Street boutique in New York City as customers eagerly awaited Matthieu Blazy's spring 2026 debut collection. The launch followed its Paris debut on March 5, sparking retail frenzy for items like east-west bags and croc pumps. Many shoppers expressed excitement over Blazy's fresh take on the brand.
The debut of Matthieu Blazy's spring 2026 Chanel collection arrived at the brand's uptown flagship store in New York on the morning of Friday, March 13, 2026. By 1:03 p.m., just three minutes after the store's opening, the line stretched down the block despite chilly weather with a feels-like temperature of 28 degrees Fahrenheit.
Shoppers cited Blazy's previous work at Bottega Veneta as a draw. Jennifer, a 34-year-old accountant, sought the mint green and black croc pumps, noting, “I really liked what Matthieu did at Bottega [Veneta] so I was very curious to see what he was going to do at Chanel.” She aimed to buy investment pieces for her daughter.
Barbara, another customer, planned to spend around $15,000 on shoes and a bag. She said, “I’m not a big Chanel person, but [Matthieu] changed the vibe of the brand, and so for the first time there’s a bunch of things where there’s something I would wear.”
Popular items included two-tone ballet flats, sought by personal shopper Zuzu for five clients, and a maxi flap bag, which Kevin, a 26-year-old in finance, considered alongside shoes. Kevin remarked, “It seems like he’s going in a pretty contemporary direction, which I think suits my aesthetic more than what Chanel previously did.” He appreciated the brand's ambassadorships with Jennie and model Bhavitha Mandava.
At 1:31 p.m., a sales associate informed the line that most items had sold out due to morning private appointments for very important clients, though restocks were expected in coming weeks. By 2:35 p.m., the queue remained long as determined shoppers persisted, drawn by glimpses of pieces like the “crushed” bags visible through the glass.
The collection's Paris launch on March 5 during Paris Fashion Week had already generated buzz, with editors and VIPs snapping up east-west bags and embossed croc pumps amid a sample-sale-like frenzy.
