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.
CELINE orange LOLA OVAL Sunglasses CL41445S
By Celine
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Céline CL41445/S Lola oval sunglasses in burnt orange acetate with grey lenses. Have been worn and show a very faint scratch on the right lens. Overall in excellent co...
CELINE black acetate BOLD 3 DOT SQUARE Sunglasses CL40277I
By Celine
Located in Zürich, CH
These 100% authentic Celine Bold 3 Dot sunglasses in black acetate offer a sleek, modern look with grey lenses. They feature a beveled frame and distinctive wide temples, finished wi...
Celine 2024 Lunettes de Soleil Triomphe Black Square Sun Glasses Céline
By Celine
Located in PARIS, FR
Celine "Triomphe" model square sunglasses in black acetate with black lenses, featuring the gold logo on the temples. Width: 15.3 cm; temple length: 14 cm; lens dimensions: 5.5 x 4.3...
CELINE pink brown transparent ROUND Sunglasses CL40186I
By Celine
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Céline round sunglasses in transparent pink acetate, presenting an oversized, sculptural silhouette that showcases the frame's luminous, crystal-clear construction to ...
$336Sale Price|20% Off
CELINE Hedi Slimane Triomphe CL40227U black gold logo acetate sunglasses
By Hedi Slimane, Celine
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CELINE Hedi Slimane Triomphe CL40227U black gold logo acetate sunglasses Reference: TGAS/E00772 Brand: Celine Designer: Hedi Slimane Model: CL40227U Material: Acetate Color: Black, G...
CELINE Havana brown clear or green SQUARE Sunglasses CL40057I
By Celine
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Céline square sunglasses in havana brown tortoise acetate, presenting an oversized, boldly proportioned silhouette that channels the house's signature Parisian minimal...
Céline Black Round Acetate Sunglasses Style CL41434 – 48-22-150, 2010
By Celine
Located in Tucson, AZ
Perfectly round-lens sunglasses featuring a thick straight horizontal bridge and two silver-toned rivets at temples; gray-green UV lenses. Signature on left arm. material: acetate n...
CELINE CL40198F Monochroms white black oversized square frame acetate sunglasses
By Hedi Slimane, Celine
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CELINE CL40198F Monochroms white black oversized square frame acetate sunglasses Reference: YIKK/A00275 Brand: Celine Designer: Hedi Slimane Model: CL40198F Collection: Monochroms Ma...
CELINE Grey Acetate Sunglasses
By Celine
Located in San Francisco, CA
CELINE "Petra Gry Blue Lense" sunglasses in a black acetate featuring a cat eye style, and blue tinted lenses. With case. Made in Italy.Very Good Pre-Owned Condition. Marked: cl4...
Vintage Celine VC 1518 Office Siren Sunglasses 1990's Made in Italy
By Celine
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Vintage Celine Sleek Black Frame Sporting Light Rose Lenses. In The Style Of The Ones Worn By Bella Hadid. Made In Italy. Front 13.5 Cms ...
rare CELINE Phoebe Philo Runway CL41019S chunky chain metal bar black sunglasses
By Celine, Phoebe Philo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
rare CELINE Phoebe Philo Runway CL41019S gold chunky chain metal bar black sunglasses Reference: TGAS/E00629 Brand: Celine Designer: Phoebe Philo Model: CL41019S As seen on: Beyonce,...
Vintage Celine VC 1539 Office Siren Sunglasses 1990's Made in Italy
By Celine
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Vintage Celine Sleek Black Frame Sporting Light Green Lenses. In The Style Of The Ones Worn By Bella Hadid. Made In Italy. Front 13.5 Cms...
Vintage Celine VC 1516 Office Siren Sunglasses 1990's Made in Italy
By Celine
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Vintage Celine Sleek Tortoise Frame Sporting Light Blue Lenses. In The Style Of The Ones Worn By Bella Hadid. Made In Italy. Front 13 ...
CELINE white metal BUTTERFLY Sunglasses CL40069U
By Celine
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Céline butterfly shaped white metal frame sunglasses featuring mirrored lenses. Have been worn and are in excellent condition. Come wit...
Céline Oversized Tortoiseshell Shield Sunglasses
By Celine
Located in Amman, JO
Céline Oversized Tortoiseshell Shield Sunglasses Bold and fashion-forward, these Celine oversized shield sunglasses feature a striking tortoiseshell acetate frame paired with softly...
Celine CL401921 Sunglasses Purple Translucent Acetate Square Round Shade
By Celine
Located in Miami, FL
- Purple exterior - Comes with case - Comes with cleaning cloth Condition: The glasses are brand new with tags inside of the box
Vintage Celine VC Office Siren Sunglasses 1990's Made in Italy
By Celine
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Vintage Celine Sleek Black Frame Sporting Light Rose Lenses. In The Style Of The Ones Worn By Bella Hadid. Made In Italy. Front 14 Cms...
Marc by Marc Jacobs Women's Peach Pink Sunglasses, New, Made in Italy
By Marc by Marc Jacobs
Located in Capri, IT
Marc by Marc Jacobs peach pink sunglasses NWOT
Marni Ik Kil Cenote Tinted Sunglasses
By Marni
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Designed exclusively for Marni, this is an oversized shape characterized by bold acetate construction and an iconic rounded geometry. Inspired by playful vintage designs, Ik Kil Ceno...
Vintage Miss Dior Two Tone Amber Mask Light Brown Lenses 70'S Austria Sunglasses
By Christian Dior
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Vintage Super Rare Christian Dior Miss Dior Oversized Mask Two Tone Amber Light Brownlenses. Detailed Cut Out Front Frame. New Never Worn Measurements Front ...
Chanel 1994 Iconic Spring Runway Vintage Pearl Round Sunglasses Rare
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel 1994 Spring Runway Vintage Pearl Round Sunglasses Rare Silver-tone metal Chanel vintage round sunglasses with faux pearl trim at frames and arms, adjustable nose pads and tin...
$8,920
H 2 in W 5.5 in L 5.2 in
Chanel White 1994 Runway Karl Lagerfeld CC Logo Iconic Rare Sunglasses
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel White 1994 Runway Karl Lagerfeld CC Logo Iconic Rare Sunglasses From the 1994 Chanel runway collection, these glasses were made for the catwalk as a Sample and never made it ...
1980s Rare Christian Dior Vintage Black Gold Checkerboard Oversized Sunglasses
By Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
The vintage Christian Dior sunglasses are a rare example of late 1970s–early 1980s haute couture eyewear — an era when Dior’s design language merged futuristic form with artistic det...
GUCCI Havana TORTOISE BUTTERLY Sunglasses Gradient Brown GG076S
By Gucci
Located in Zürich, CH
These 100% authentic Gucci sunglasses feature Havana brown tortoiseshell acetate butterfly frames with gradient light brown lenses. The elegant fork temples are detailed with engrave...
Top Gun vintage sunglasses
By Top Gun®, De rigo
Located in Valencia, CA
Top Gun® is rooted in the American "speed culture" from fighter jets to vintage motorcycles and anything that goes fast! The name recalls not only movies and a...
CHROME HEARTS brown green tortoise SCREAM Shield Sunglasses
By Chrome Hearts
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Chrome Hearts Scream shield sunglasses feature a bold brown tortoise acetate frame paired with striking green lenses. The wraparound shield silhouette delivers st...
Sunglasses oval by Sting, Italy 1990s
By De rigo, Sting
Located in Valencia, CA
MAKE: Sting MODEL: 4293 - 420 MADE IN: Italy ERA: 1990s CONDITION: New Old Stock [never worn] DIMENSIONS: Lens width: 51 mm / 2 in Lens height: 37 mm / 1 7/16 in Bridge: 19 mm ...
Vintage 1990s Playboy Orange Sunglasses Unisex with Embellished Design
Located in Capri, IT
Playboy Orange sunglasses embellished with playboy written on the top
Vintage Aviator Medium Tortoise Paul Newman Style Sunglasses 1970 France
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Vintage Aviator Medium Tortoise Frame Sporting Honey Brown Lenses. Please Notice This Item Has Sign Of Wear On The Frame And Minor Scratches On The Lenses. Front : 14 Cms Lens ...
CELINE black metal TRIOMPHE 01 Sunglasses CL40235U
By Celine
Located in Zürich, CH
These 100% authentic Celine Triomphe 01 Metal Sunglasses are a sleek and timeless accessory, combining minimalist design with the house's signature elegance. Featuring a classic blac...
CELINE CL400641 brown tortoise oversized butterfly square sunglasses
By Celine, Hedi Slimane
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CELINE CL400641 brown tortoise oversized butterfly square sunglasses Reference: AAWC/A01597 Brand: Celine Designer: Hedi Slimane Model: CL400641 Material: Acetate, Plastic Color: Bro...
Celine Black & Gold-Tone Wayfarer CL40195 Gradient Tinted Lens Sunglasses
By Celine
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Discover refined elegance with the Celine Black & Gold-Tone Wayfarer CL40195 Gradient Tinted Lens Sunglasses. Crafted in Italy, these sunglasses embody a minimalist and understated a...
Tortoiseshell Celine Oversized Sunglasses
By Celine
Located in New York, NY
Tortoiseshell acetate oversized sunglasses by Celine. Brown tinted lenses. 2.5" height, 5.5" width, 5.5" length.
CELINE Hedi Slimane Triomphe CL40227U black gold logo acetate sunglasses
By Celine, Hedi Slimane
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CELINE Hedi Slimane Triomphe CL40227U black gold logo acetate sunglasses Reference: JYLM/A00050 Brand: Celine Designer: Hedi Slimane Model: CL40227U Material: Acetate Color: Black, G...
OLD CELINE Phoebe Philo SC1756 ZZ Top brown Havana acetate square sunnies
By Phoebe Philo, Celine
Located in Hong Kong, NT
OLD CELINE Phoebe Philo SC1756 ZZ Top brown Havana acetate square sunnies Reference: BSHW/A00098 Brand: Celine Designer: Phoebe Philo Model: SC1756 Material: Acetate Color: Brown, Gr...
CELINE Ecaille brown Tortoise acetate Sunglasses CL41077/S 086 Z3
By Celine
Located in Zürich, CH
These 100% authentic Céline Bridge sunglasses are crafted from dark brown and amber acetate, featuring a sleek gold-tone metal bridge. The design is completed with stylish brown grad...
Celine Mauve Rounded Sunglasses
By Celine
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Celine Mauve Rounded Sunglasses Excellent condition Comes with the case
CELINE black acetate CAT-EYE Sunglasses CL40019I
By Celine
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Céline cat-eye sunglasses in black acetate and mirrored lenses. Have been worn and are in excellent condition. Comes with soft case. Measurements Model CL40019I 01C ...
Celine Red Acetate Butterfly Sunglasses CL40046U 52/21 145mm
By Celine
Located in Rome, Rome
Celine Sunglasses Model CL40046U. Red acetate butterfly frame. Celine signature on temples. Original grey lenses. Mod & refs: CL40046U - 66V - 52/21 - 145 . Made in Italy Details MAT...
OLD CELINE Phoebe Philo 41398S Andrea navy ombre lens acetate sunglasses
By Celine
Located in Hong Kong, NT
OLD CELINE Phoebe Philo 41398S Andrea navy ombre lens acetate sunglasses Reference: LNKO/A02225 Brand: Celine Designer: Phoebe Philo Model: 41398S Material: Acetate Color: Navy, Brow...
CELINE SC1732 khaki green brown lens plastic square sunglasses
By Celine
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CELINE SC1732 khaki green brown lens plastic square sunglasses Reference: NKLL/A00077 Brand: Celine Designer: Phoebe Philo Model: SC1732 Material: Plastic Color: Green, Brown Pattern...