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.
Spring 2004 CÉLINE by Michael Kors Low Waist Y2k Skirt with palm leafs print
By Michael Kors, Celine
Located in Sheffield, GB
CÉLINE Spring 2004 by Michael Kors Skirt with palm leaf and hibiscus print. Features concealed zip up back and sits mid rise below the navel. Size; Label 40 / We recommends UK 6 - 8...
1970s Celine Navy Wool Gabardine Pleated Skirt
By Celine
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1970's classic Celine navy blue wool gabardine skirt with half navy leather and gold belt at waistband. Inverted stitched pleats on the front and back. Overall A line shape. In excellent condition, side zipper with hook and eye. Fits like a US size 4. Made in France. Iconic 1970's piece that has inspired the current Celine runway...
CELINE 2010 khaki green cotton patchwork pocket zipper cargo skirt FR40 L
By Celine, Phoebe Philo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CELINE 2010 khaki green cotton patchwork pocket zipper cargo skirt FR40 L Reference: NKLL/A00627 Brand: Celine Designer: Phoebe Philo Collection: Resort 20...
$751
Gonna Celine
By Celine
Located in Carnate, IT
Gonna Celine Gonna al ginocchio taglia 36 100% lana Presente una sottogonna Fantasia con stampa logo all-over Lunghezza vita 34cm Lunghezza fianchi 40cm Lunghezza totale 55cm
1970s Celine Wool Plaid Skirt
By Celine
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1970s Celine red and black plaid wool skirt. The plaid patterns features some houndstooth and the waist is defined with the iconic Celine buckle. In very...
1970s Celine Navy Pleated Skirt
By Celine
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1970's classic Celine navy blue polyester and wool blend pleated skirt with half navy leather and gold belt at waistband. Overall A line shape. In excellen...
$210Sale Price|25% Off
CELINE Michael Kors Vintage 100% wool gold horsebit buckle pleated skirt FR42 XL
By Michael Kors, Celine
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CELINE Michael Kors Vintage black 100% wool gold horsebit buckle pleated skirt FR42 XL Reference: TGAS/F00179 Brand: Celine Designer: Michael Kors Material: Wool Color: Black, Gold P...
$360Sale Price|20% Off
OLD CELINE Phoebe Philo sky blue pleated black waistband skirt FR34 XS
By Celine, Phoebe Philo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
OLD CELINE Phoebe Philo sky blue pleated black waistband skirt FR34 XS Reference: GEGG/A00032 Brand: Celine Designer: Phoebe Philo Material: Triacetate, Blend Color: Blue, Black Patt...
1990s Celine White Denim Blue Jean Vintage 90s Mini Skirt Size 40
By Celine
Located in San Diego, CA
Perfect vintage 1990s CELINE white denim mini skirt! Zipper fly with a silver button on the waistband. Pocket at each side of the waist, and two pockets on the back. 97% Cotton, 2% P...
CELINE by PHOEBE PHILO cinnamon brown skirt with ruffles
By Celine, Phoebe Philo
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Cinnamon brown wool skirt with ruffle motif designed by Phoebe Philo for Celine, circa 2015. This Phoebe Philo–era Celine skirt comes in a warm rust tone with a clean A-line shape....
Old Celine by Phoebe Philo Horsebit Skirt logo monogram chains 2016
By Celine
Located in Алматинский Почтамт, KZ
Rare! Old Celine by Phoebe Philo Horsebit Skirt logo monogram chains 2016 Céline by Phoebe Philo Country of production: France Marked Size: FR 42 US 12 IT 46 Celine style: 2 2J16 /...
Celine Beige Suede Snap Button Midi Skirt - EU36/S
By Celine
Located in Krakow, PL
Celine Suede Skirt with Snap Buttons – Size EU36 / S Condition: Very good Description: Minimal signs of wear, including slight scuffing on the outer and inner surfaces and minor sta...
Silk chiffon printed skirt with ruffles Céline Circa 1970
By Celine
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Silk chiffon and gold lurex thread printed skirt with ruffles. Red silk lining. Zip and hook&eye in the middle back. SIZE 40 (Fr) 8 (Us) (small waist.)
Celine Olive Green Ruched Zip Asymmetrical Skirt
By Celine
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Celine Olive Green Ruched Zip Asymmetrical Skirt is a striking and sophisticated piece that effortlessly combines modern edge with chic elegance. Featuring a distinctive ruched zip d...
1970s Celine Pink Pleated Wool Skirt
By Celine
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1970's Celine pink wool skirt with leather and chain details at waistband. Inverted box pleats on the front and back. Overall A line shape. In excellent co...
1970s Celine Navy Wool Gabardine Pleated Skirt
By Celine
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1970's classic Celine navy blue wool gabardine skirt with half navy leather and gold belt at waistband. Gold tone metal large mariner link detail at centre of belt. Inverted stitched...
1970s Celine Pleated Navy Blue Wool Gabardine Skirt with Gold Belt
By Celine
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1970's classic Celine navy blue wool gabardine pleated skirt with half navy leather and gold belt at waistband. Vintage Celine horse and buggy logo gold metal coin centre of belt. Ov...
1970s Celine Black Fluid Chain Pleated Skirt
By Celine
Located in Paris, FR
Celine black chain-detail pleated midi skirt featuring pleated detail, a gold-tone chain detail at waist with patent leather, fully lined with logo lining. Circa: 1970s Composition: ...
1970s Celine Black Pleated Skirt
By Celine
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1970's classic Celine black viscose and silk skirt with half black leather and gold belt at waistband. Inverted stitched pleats on the front and back. Overall A line shape. In excellent condition, side zipper with hook and eye. Fits like a US size 2. Made in France. Iconic 1970's piece that has inspired the current Celine runway...
1970s Celine Geometric Skirt
By Celine
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Fun & flirty 1970s Celine skirt. Black with turquoise, purple and red allover triangle/square geometric pattern. High waisted with slight aline sha...
Celine by Michael Kors vintage back zip ruched stretch skirt 36
By Celine
Located in Milano, Lombardia
LOVE LALI Vintage Celine by Michael Kors vintage black stretch skirt Celine engraved brass center zip Longer at the back SHIPPING - Due to the low item...
Celine Black & White Stripe Box Pleat Skirt With Hardware
By Celine
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage black and white wool Celine box pleat skirt with leather and hardware belt detail at waist. Celine, Paris Size 42 Measurements: W...
Céline White Pleated Mini Skirt Size M
By Celine
Located in London, GB
CONDITION is Very good. Minimal wear to skirt is evident. Light discolouration around the waistband, especially to the front left, rear left and rear centre on this used Céline desig...
Celine Short Wool Skirt
By Celine
Located in London, GB
A great skirt for Spring by French design house Celine. In a coffee colour wool mix, this skirt has a side zip, and two large pockets on the front.The skirt has a 2" hem.
1970s Celine Pink Cotton Denim Wrap Skirt
By Celine
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1970s Celine cotton denim wrap style skirt. High waisted with ribbed waistband. Three Celine logo buttons at left hip. Monochromatic top stitching. Zipper closure at back centre seam...
Celine Iconic Blue Check Wool Skirt
By Celine
Located in Paris, FR
Celine iconic blue wool skirt featuring a front logo gold tone chain, an ivory and a pale blue-grey check pattern, a center back zip opening, front pleats. 55% wool, 45%viscose Estim...
Celine, blue cotton midi skirt with golden zippers
By Celine
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Celine, blue cotton midi skirt with golden zippers. The item is in good condition, discoloration on the front where the item has been folded.
1970s Celine Navy Houndstooth Wool Skirt
By Celine
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Celine navy wool stitched box pleat skirt from the 1970s. The mini houndstooth print is accented with the iconic Celine waist buckle. In excellent condition, fits like a US 2/4. Zips...
CELINE Size 8 Grey Wool Heather Pleated Pencil Midi Skirt
By Celine
Located in San Francisco, CA
CELINE skirt in a heather grey wool featuring a pleated style, mother-of-pearl logo button detail, and back zipper closure.Excellent Pre-Owned Condition. Marked: IT 44 Measurem...
Celine White Denim Mini Skirt, Size 40
By Celine
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Product details: The skirt features floral cut offs on the bottom of the skirt, mini length and silver tone hardware.
Celine Navy Purple Wool Skirt With Gold Link
By Celine
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage navy purple Celine skirt featuring box pleats, a hidden zipper on the side back, and a thin black belt...