Coco Chanel’s apartment shot by Sam Taylor-Johnson

Titled “Second Floor,” the photos capture Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel’s rooms above the brand’s store at 31 rue Cambon. The 45 photographs will be exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery in London from September 12 to 22. 

“Shooting at Coco Chanel’s apartment was an unexpectedly absorbing experience,” explained Taylor-Johnson. “The essence of Chanel is firmly rooted there in all of her possessions and I truly believe that her spirit and soul still inhabits the second floor.”

Architectural details including the famous mirrored staircase and Coco’s furniture and personal treasures (from leather-bound volumes of Voltaire and Byron to crystal chandeliers) were all captured for the project. 

The exhibition will be free to the public, and the adjoining Saatchi store will also be selling an accompanying book titled “Second Floor” with a limited-edition box set of ten prints picked by the artist. 

One of the ‘Brit Art’ generation of artists, photographer and filmmaker Taylor-Johnson first hit silver screen success with the 2009 John Lennon biopic “Nowhere Boy,” and is currently working on the Hollywood adaptation of E. L. James’ blockbuster erotic novel, “Fifty Shades of Grey.”