Sitting along Rue de Malte in 1945 Paris was a boutique known for its made-to-measure children’s shoes. The owners of the boutique? Madame Céline Vipiana (yes, the Céline) and her husband, Richard.
Indeed, the French fashion house’s beginnings were far from what we know it as now. The brand underwent several evolutions over the years before becoming the luxury fashion giant we all know and love.
Read more about Celine's brand history ahead and how it transformed into one of the buzziest multi-millionaire designer brands in the world.
A Brief History of Celine
From its humble beginning as a “bottier pour enfants” (shoemaker for children), the brand decided to shift into ready-to-wear fashion in 1960, focusing on womenswear with a sportswear approach. Then, as the brand gained further popularity, it began to offer leather goods, such as gloves, clothes, loafers, and bags.
Céline Vipiana remained the head designer of the French luxury brand until her retirement in 1988. This happened a year after Bernard Arnault purchased a portion of Céline’s capital, with the approval of her family, of course. Then, in 1996, LVMH acquired the brand for 2.7 billion French francs ($540 million) and propelled the brand’s name even further by opening Celine’s flagship store on 36 Avenue Montaigne, where Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Versace, and many more well-known fashion giants are also found.
The History of Celine’s Triomphe Logo
A brand’s logo is almost as important as the brand itself. Coming up with one that is iconic and unforgettable almost feels like an impossible task. It would take major inspiration, a dream, or maybe a sign from God to come up with something as legendary as Celine’s “Triomphe” logo.
The motif, featuring two back-to-back Cs, was conceived after Madame Céline found herself in a minor collision on Place de l’Étoile. In the middle of the treacherous, multi-lane roundabout was France’s historic Arc de Triomphe. While waiting for assistance, Céline noticed that the chain encircling the monument was made up of half-circle motifs. She would later seek permission from the city of Paris to turn these features into the house's emblem. The motif would then make it onto different bags, clothes, and accessories from the brand, including the sought-after “Triomphe” handbag.
Celine’s Creative Directors Throughout the Years
Celine's rich history of creative evolution began with Peggy Huynh Kinh's appointment as artistic director in 1988, following the founders' retirement. The brand witnessed diverse leadership, including Michael Kors, Roberto Menichetti, and Ivana Omazic, each contributing to Celine's dynamic identity. The transformative era under Phoebe Philo from 2008 to 2018 marked a minimalist and sophisticated approach that became synonymous with the brand.
Phoebe’s departure signaled the end of an influential chapter, succeeded by Hedi Slimane in 2018. In September of the same year, Hedi would present an updated version of Celine’s logo on the brand’s Instagram account, dropping the French accent and turning CÉLINE into CELINE. (Fun fact: Hedi was also the former creative director for Saint Laurent and is known for the controversial name shift of the brand, removing the Yves in Yves Saint Laurent. This begs the question, which designer logo will he tamper with next?)
Slimane's visionary leadership expanded Celine's horizons, introducing men’s fashion, couture, and fragrances, while his distinct style, influenced by youth culture and indie rock, left an indelible mark on the iconic fashion house.
Celine’s Most Iconic Pieces
1. Celine Triomphe Handbag
Celine's Triomphe bag launched in 2021 and has swiftly risen to It bag status. Featuring the brand's double C logo, the Triomphe bag is crafted from luxurious calfskin leather. It was originally designed by the brand's founder, Céline Vipiana, and then reimagined by creative director Hedi Slimane in 2019. Available in various sizes and styles, including teen, medium, and large, as well as boxy and curved shapes, the Triomphe bag offers versatility and timeless appeal, making it a coveted accessory for celebrities and fashion enthusiasts alike.
2. Celine Triomphe Sunglasses
Celine showcases its iconic double-C logo in various creations, including their oval-shaped Triomphe sunglasses. These shades feature the distinctive logo positioned on the hinge, adding a touch of chic sophistication to any OOTD and summer-ready ensemble.
3. Celine Ava Bag
The Ava bag, created by Hedi Slimane, debuted in 2020. Reminiscent of the brand's early history and founder Céline Vipiana's inspiration from the Arc de Triomphe, this contemporary design, available in soft calfskin and all-over Triomphe Canvas, features a clean half-moon silhouette and enhanced by gold Celine Triomphe logo hardware.
4. Celine Luggage Bag
The iconic Luggage tote, a luxury staple since 2010 under Phoebe Philo's creative direction, gained renewed popularity after a relaunch, especially when embraced by celebrities like the Olsen twins. Throughout the mid-2010s, the Celine (then Céline) Luggage bag became a ubiquitous celebrity accessory. Known for its timeless design and practicality, the bag features a spacious squared bottom, expandable winged sides, a zip top opening, double handles, and an external zip pocket.
5. Celine Classic Box Bag
Though the Triomphe, Luggage, and Ava bags are more recent additions to Celine's roster of iconic bags, the classic Box bag has stood the test of time, originating in the 1970s. Sporting a structured silhouette, the Box bag showcases clean lines and a simple design, embodying the distinctive minimalist style of the Celine brand.
Local Celebrities Wearing Celine
1. Jinkee Pacquiao
2. Kim Chiu
3. Anne Curtis
4. Gabbi Garcia
5. Magui Ford
Celine Stores in the Philippines
Immerse yourself in Celine's luxurious French aesthetic by visiting their local boutiques and peeping their latest collections. They have set up shop at Greenbelt 3, The Shoppes at Solaire, and NUSTAR Cebu.
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