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 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 ...
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 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...
$336Sale Price|20% Off
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: TGAS/E00772 Brand: Celine Designer: Hedi Slimane Model: CL40227U Material: Acetate Color: Black, G...
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...
rare CELINE Phoebe Philo Runway CL41019S chunky chain metal bar black sunglasses
By Phoebe Philo, Celine
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,...
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 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 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...
$247Sale Price|25% Off
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...
Champagne Celine Transluscent Cat-Eye Glasses
By Celine
Located in New York, NY
Champagne transluscent acetate cat-eye glasses by Celine. 1.75" height, 5.25" width, 4.25" length.
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...
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...
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 ...
Vintage Thierry Mugler from the 90's
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Paris, FR
Thierry Mugler sunglasses from the 1990s, featuring a sculptural and assertive design that perfectly embodies the house’s avant-garde aesthetic. This model stands out with its narrow...
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
Chanel 4231 Pilot Gold-Tone Metal Frame & Brown Tinted Lens Aviator Sunglasses
By Chanel
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Chanel 4231 Pilot Gold-Tone Metal Frame Aviator Sunglasses exude a perfect blend of luxury and contemporary design. Crafted with gold-tone metal frames, these sunglasses feature ...
Linda Farrow x The Row Orange Ombre Sunglasses w/ Leather Accent
By The Row, Linda Farrow
Located in New York, NY
Linda Farrow x The Row Orange Ombre Sunglasses w/ Leather Accent Made In: Japan Color: Orange Hardware: Goldtone hardware Materials: Resin, leather a...
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 ...
Gold-Tone Cartier Rimless Rectangle Sunglasses
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Gold-tone metal rimless rectangle sunglasses by Cartier. Grey tinted lenses. Adjustable nose pads. 1.5" height, 5.25" width, 5.5" length.
Vintage Jean-François Rey from the 90's
Located in Paris, FR
Discover these vintage rectangular JF Rey sunglasses, a true gem from the 1990s. Crafted from bicolour acetate in transparent and deep burgundy tones, this frame perfectly balances t...
TOM FORD petrol blue KELLY 02 ROUND Sunglasses TF611
By Tom Ford
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Tom Ford Kelly 02 sunglasses in petrol acetate exude modern elegance. Featuring brown gradient round lenses and the signature metal T inlays at the temples, they ...
Vintage Silhouette Acetate Oversized Bicolor Sunglasses, 1980s Women's
Located in Paris, FR
An 1980s Silhouette frame, these oversized bicolor sunglasses deliver spectacular vintage charm: the two-tone ribbon front : deep red on the outside, ivory on the inside, crosses at ...
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Sunglasses 2000 Rare
By Alexander McQueen
Located in London, GB
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Sunglasses circa 2000 Rare A rare Alexander McQueen futuristic trendy, rave style, Berlin vibes sunglasses runway circa 2000 collection and highly collectable. Blac...
Vintage sunglasses from designer Patrick Kelly, Paris, Made in France - 80's
By Patrick Kelly
Located in Paris, FR
The Patrick Kelly "PARIS" glasses, handcrafted in France during the 1980s, perfectly embody the union of artisanal heritage and bold creativity. Each frame reflects exceptional craft...
1970s Vintage Neostyle Oversized Acetate Unisex Sunglasses - Excellent
By Neostyle
Located in Paris, FR
Discover the NEOSTYLE Sunart 755 sunglasses, an iconic oversized vintage model from the 1970s, symbolizing an era where boldness and elegance went hand in hand. Crafted from acetate ...
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 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 Hedi Slimane, Celine
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...
OLD CELINE Phoebe Philo 41377S tortoise brown shield lens sunglasses
By Celine
Located in Hong Kong, NT
OLD CELINE Phoebe Philo 41377S tortoise brown shield lens sunglasses Reference: BSHW/A00091 Brand: Celine Designer: Phoebe Philo Model: 41377S Material: Acetate Color: Brown Pattern:...