The Fifth Sense by Chanel and  i-D magazine, London The Fifth Sense by Chanel and i-D magazine, London
The Fifth Sense by Chanel and  i-D magazine, London The Fifth Sense by Chanel and i-D magazine, London
The Fifth Sense by Chanel and  i-D magazine, London The Fifth Sense by Chanel and i-D magazine, London

Scent-sational set design

22 : 09 : 2016 Chanel : Mirror Mazes : Es Devlin

London – Chanel and i-D have collaborated with set designer Es Devlin to create an immersive installation that celebrates scent.

  • Mirror Maze was commissioned by The Fifth Sense, a new online platform for creative women
  • Chanel has created a one-off fragrance that can only be experienced inside the installation space

Visitors enter the maze through a hole in a video wall that opens out into an expanse of mirrored surfaces. Inspired by the mirrored staircase inside Coco Chanel’s Paris apartment, the installation is designed to confuse visitors.

The installation’s four rooms are each linked by an oval-shaped opening to heighten the sense of disorientation, while the mirrors and a video piece surrounded by water aim to invoke the sensation of falling – something that Devlin feels is strongly tied to scent. A one-off scent designed by Chanel perfumer Olivier Polge fills the space.

‘I wanted to slightly turn the tables. My work normally has the audience outside and the performer elevated and broadcasting, and I wanted the visitor or guest to be welcomed into the art piece,’ Devlin told Dezeen.

The Big Picture

Brands are looking for new ways to express fragrance beyond the usual tropes. For more, see our Activate on Le Cinéma Olfactif. LS:N Global is reporting live from London Design Festival 2016 throughout the week.

Discover More Daily Signals
The Trend: Mood-matching Fashion

Daily Signals

The Trend: Mood-matching Fashion

Fashion discovery is evolving, guided by emotional cues and powered by generative AI. Rather than surfacing static product results, next-gen tools ...
Fashion : Retail : Search And Discovery
The Big Idea: Viva Tech 2025: Five Sustainable Fashion Start-ups

Daily Signals

The Big Idea: Viva Tech 2025: Five Sustainable Fashion Start-ups

At VivaTech 2025, fashion-focused innovators showcased how AI can be used to tackle the industry’s sustainability challenge.
Fashion : Technology : VivaTech
The Campaign: Depop reframes second-hand fashion as secret to personal style

Daily Signals

The Campaign: Depop reframes second-hand fashion as secret to personal style

Fashion resale platform Depop (now a subsidiary of Etsy) has launched its largest US campaign to date. Created by Uncommon Creative Studio, Where T...
Fashion : Secondhand Market : Retail
The Viewpoint: Wearable Skincare

Daily Signals

The Viewpoint: Wearable Skincare

Sylva’s founder Tallulah Harlech was diagnosed with psoriasis when she was just nine years old. LS:N Global spoke to the fashion stylist and consul...
Fashion : Skincare : Wellness
The Space: Iris van Herpen unveils Sympoiesis at Paris Haute Couture Week

Daily Signals

The Space: Iris van Herpen unveils Sympoiesis at Paris Haute Couture Week

At Paris Haute Couture Week, Iris van Herpen unveiled Sympoiesis, a collection steeped in material innovation.
Fashion : Couture : Biofabrication
The Trend: Human by Design

Daily Signals

The Trend: Human by Design

LS:N Global’s coverage of design in 2025 explored humanising design and branding in the age of elasticity.
Design : Creativity : Branding
The Big Idea: Branding in the Age of Elasticity

Daily Signals

The Big Idea: Branding in the Age of Elasticity

LS:N Global’s coverage of design in 2025 explored humanising design and branding in the age of elasticity.
Design
The Campaign: New Forest’s rebranding turns tourists into custodians

Daily Signals

The Campaign: New Forest’s rebranding turns tourists into custodians

LS:N Global’s coverage of design in 2025 explored humanising design and branding in the age of elasticity. 
Design
The Viewpoint: Rehumanising 3D Design

Daily Signals

The Viewpoint: Rehumanising 3D Design

LS:N Global’s coverage of design in 2025 explored humanising design and branding in the age of elasticity. 
Design
The Space: Glossier unveils immersive experience for Fleur fragrance launch in Paris

Daily Signals

The Space: Glossier unveils immersive experience for Fleur fragrance launch in Paris

LS:N Global’s coverage of design in 2025 explored humanising design and branding in the age of elasticity.
Design
You have 2 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN