Vintage Purple Celine Suede Ballet Flats Size 38.5
About the Item
- Designer:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Pre-owned. Good. Added toe and heel taps. Markings throughout suede. Detached inner sole at right shoe. Minor wear at soles.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU147222730312
Celine
Now renowned for chic womenswear as well as luxury leather handbags that are often recognized for their iconic gold-tone fastening and hardware, French fashion house Celine got its start in children’s shoes.
In 1945, Céline Vipiana and her husband, Richard, opened a made-to-measure shoe shop for children at 52 rue de Malte in Paris. Designer Céline’s name graced the business, alongside a red elephant designed by French cartoonist Raymond Peynet that served as the company’s first logo.
In 1967, following an expansion into women’s shoes and leather accessories, the Vipianas decided to expand their company’s reach into women’s ready-to-wear, focusing on high-end sportswear. Céline Vipiana, who remained chief designer until her death in 1997, would oversee a range of fashion that would reach an international audience with a pared-down elegance and timeless style.
The company quickly achieved widespread success with its new offerings, most notably its trench coat, which became a staple for the brand. In the 1970s, they expanded outside Paris with boutiques in Monte Carlo, Beverly Hills and Hong Kong. In 1973, Céline Vipiana, inspired by chain links around the Arc de Triomphe, debuted the Blazon Chaîne motif of interlocking C’s. She began using it on a printed canvas and branding as well as accents on accessories, such as the Triomphe bag.
Vipiana’s designs were created to appeal as everyday fashion: Celine skirts, suits, fitted shirts, vests and coats were stylish but rooted in practicality. Quality, too, was paramount; Vipiana’s determination to deliver the best possible leather led to the opening of a studio in Florence, where the brand created its leather goods.
Vipiana died a year after her brand was acquired by Bernard Arnault’s luxury conglomerate LVMH for about $540 million. American designer Michael Kors then took the helm as creative director. Kors, too, was known for practical but chic ready-to-wear. He introduced such luxury staples as cashmere sets, smartly tailored pants and simple slip dresses, plus themed collections around jet-setter locales like Monte Carlo and Tahiti. Following Kors’s departure in 2004, onetime Burberry designer Roberto Menichetti took the job for just a year. He was followed by designer Phoebe Philo, the young British designer who is now credited with establishing Celine’s 21st-century style.
Philo created a distinct, minimal style that channeled the brand’s roots of practical simplicity with luxury materials. (“I just thought I’d clean it up,” she quipped of her debut collection in 2010.) Over the course of ten years, Philo turned the company into a beloved fixture of the fashion industry. In 2018, after Philo’s departure, the house tapped Hedi Slimane, former creative director of Yves Saint Laurent, as its new leader; he caused a stir when he famously removed the accent from the brand name. Controversial though it was, Slimane maintained it was a return to the label’s roots: an exercise in strong simplicity.
Find vintage Celine day dresses, handbags and other items on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Navy Miu Miu Suede Embellished High-Top Sneakers Size 38.5By Miu MiuLocated in New York, NYNavy suede high-top pull-on sneakers by Miu Miu. Crystal embellishments at cap-toes. Elasticized gores at sides. Rubber soles. 4.75" shaft height. Designer Size: 38.5 US Recommended...Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Shoes
- Black & Multicolor Burberry Arthur Low-Top Sneakers Size 38.5By BurberryLocated in New York, NYBlack and multicolor Arthur low-top sneakers by Burberry. Nova Check trim. Rubber soles. Lace-up tie closures at tops. Designer Size: 38.5 US Recommended Size: 8.5Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Shoes
- Blue Christian Louboutin Patent Ballet Flats Size 37By Christian LouboutinLocated in New York, NYBlue patent leather ballet flats by Christian Louboutin. Designer Size: 37 US Recommended Size: 7Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Shoes
- Black Chanel Suede & Leather Quilted Combat Boots Size 38.5By ChanelLocated in New York, NYBlack suede and leather quilted combat boots by Chanel. Cap-toe. Lace-up detailing at tops. Lug soles. Zip closures at tops. 6" shaft height, 1.5" heel height. Designer Size: 38.5 U...Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Shoes
- Black Gianvito Rossi Pointed-Toe Buckle Ankle Boots Size 39By Gianvito RossiLocated in New York, NYBlack leather pointed-toe ankle boots by Gianvito Rossi. Block heels. Buckle accents at shafts. 5" shaft height, 2" heel height. Designer Size: 39 US Recommended Size: 9Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Shoes
- Black & White Givenchy Over-The-Knee Sock Sneakers Size 38.5By GivenchyLocated in New York, NYBlack and white over-the-knee sock sneakers by Givenchy. Rubber soles. 24.5" shaft height. Designer Size: 38.5 US Recommended Size: 8.5Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Shoes
- Saint Laurent, Black patent leather niki bootsBy Saint LaurentLocated in AMSTERDAM, NLSaint Laurent, Black patent leather niki boots. The item has been worn once and is in very good condition. Comes with dustbags and box. • CONDITION: very good condition • SIZE: 36...Category
2010s Shoes
- Green Leather Céline Phoebe Philo Knee High Boots 38By CelineLocated in Los Angeles, CAGreen Leather Céline Boots Hits right under knee Soft Almond Toe Stacked Wooden Heel Buttery soft leather interior EU38, fits true Heel height 4 inches Minor but noticeable sc...Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- Maud Frizon 1990's Heels Embossed Leather Size 9By Maud FrizonLocated in Los Angeles, CA1990's Maud Frizon Paris Ankle Strap, Elongated Toe with Elegant Vamp Silver Hardware Lizard Embossed Black Leather with Self Wrapped Heel Size US 9, fits a little narrow Heel height...Category
Late 20th Century French Shoes
- Joseph Debach Handmade Zipper MulesLocated in Glasgow, GBHandmade Joseph Debach mules from the eponymous brand. Upper is stiffened fabric with zipper detail running all the way through in a swirling mass. Backless, clog style with a pointe...Category
Early 2000s Italian Shoes
- Gold Patent Chanel Slide SandalsBy ChanelLocated in Glasgow, GBGold metallic patent leather slide sandals from Chanel. From the Chanel Pre-Fall Metiers d’Arts Egyptian collection from 2019, which was shown in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Bold...Category
2010s French Shoes
- Stubbs and Wootton Vintage Elvis SlippersBy Stubbs & WoottonLocated in Glasgow, GBAttention all Elvis fans! Stubbs & Wootton produce bespoke and ready-to-wear luxury slippers. They take their name from two of the greatest 18th century British sporting artists, George Stubbs and John Wootton and exemplify the rich transatlantic exchange between American and British culture. Vintage velvet...Category
1990s American Shoes