Walk down Rue Saint-Honoré today and you’ll see Saint Laurent where the world’s most famous blue dots used to be. It’s been years since Colette closed its doors in 2017, yet the internet’s obsession with Coco’s at Colette photos keeps resurfacing like a stubborn, stylish ghost. Why? Because we’re all suckers for a time when "curation" actually meant something and wasn't just a buzzword used by Instagram influencers to describe their coffee order.
Most people searching for these photos are looking for one of two things: the legendary Chanel takeover or the quirky, candid energy of the store's "Water Bar" and the people who haunted it. It wasn't just a shop; it was a vibe that defined two decades of Parisian cool. Honestly, looking at these photos now feels like peering into a lost civilization where Hypebeasts and high-fashion doyennes lived in harmony.
The Chanel Takeover: When Coco Met Colette
When we talk about Coco’s at Colette photos, we’re usually talking about the grand finale. In late 2017, just before the store shuttered for good, Chanel—the house of Coco—took over the first floor. It was a "pinch me" moment for the fashion industry. You had Karl Lagerfeld, who famously said Colette was the only shop he actually visited, blessing the space.
The photos from this era are iconic. Think limited-edition Chanel sneakers, Pharrell Williams collaborations, and that specific "Colette blue" mixed with the double-C logo. It was a masterclass in how to close a chapter with style. People weren't just taking photos of the clothes; they were capturing the end of an era. If you’ve seen the shots of the customized T-shirts or the intricate window displays, you know they don't make retail experiences like that anymore.
Why the Photos Still Matter in 2026
You might think, "It’s just a store, get over it." But Colette was the blueprint. Before every brand had a "concept store," Colette Roussaux and her daughter Sarah Andelman were doing it with zero ego and a lot of instinct.
- The Rarity Factor: Many of the items in those photos were one-offs. If you didn't buy it that week, it was gone. The photos serve as a digital archive of "what could have been" for collectors.
- The Aesthetic: There’s a specific grain and lighting to those late-2010s shop photos. It captures a pre-TikTok era of fashion where things felt a bit more exclusive and a lot less "content-farmed."
- The Celebrity Candid: Colette was the kind of place where you’d see Rihanna browsing next to a student. The photos often capture these weird, unscripted moments that modern PR teams would never allow today.
Beyond the Brand: Coco Capitán and the Artistic Soul
Sometimes, the search for Coco’s at Colette photos leads people to a different Coco: the artist Coco Capitán. Her handwritten slogans and photography were staples of the Colette universe. Her work—wry, handwritten, and deeply human—perfectly matched the store's philosophy.
Those photos of "What are we going to do with all this future?" scrawled across a wall? That’s the soul of the place. It wasn't just about selling $500 candles; it was about a conversation. When people look for these images, they’re often looking for that specific feeling of artistic rebellion.
The Water Bar and the "Lived-In" Photos
If you want the real "I was there" photos, you look for the Water Bar. Downstairs, there was a bar that served over 100 types of bottled water. Sounds pretentious? Kinda. But it was also the heart of the store.
The photos from the Water Bar are the most human. You see people with blue-tinted cupcakes, messy tables, and the kind of "fashion fatigue" that only comes from looking at too many beautiful things. These aren't the polished press shots; they’re the blurry, handheld memories of a place that felt like home to the global creative community.
How to Find the Best Archives Today
Since the store is gone, where do you actually find high-quality Coco’s at Colette photos? Honestly, Instagram is a goldmine if you know where to dig. The hashtag #ColetteForever is basically a digital museum.
- Pinterest: Better for high-res window display shots and the Chanel collaboration details.
- Sarah Andelman’s Instagram: The creative director still posts throwbacks that give behind-the-scenes context you won't find anywhere else.
- Resale Sites: Places like Grailed or StockX often have "product photos" that are actually archival shots from the store’s original listings.
The reality is that Colette closed because they wanted to go out on top. No expansion, no dilution. Just 20 years of being the coolest spot on the planet. When you look at those photos, you're seeing a business model that chose integrity over infinite growth. That’s a rare thing in 2026.
If you’re looking to recreate that aesthetic or just want a hit of nostalgia, start by looking for the "Colette x Chanel" press kit images from October 2017. They represent the peak of the store’s influence and the most direct link to the "Coco" legacy within those blue-dotted walls. You'll find that the mix of streetwear and high luxury in those frames still looks fresher than most things on the runway today.
To get the most out of your search for these archives, focus on the specific dates of the Chanel takeover—October 30 to November 25, 2017. This window provides the highest concentration of "Coco" related imagery and represents the final, polished evolution of the concept store that changed everything.