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 Gold Tone Chain Bracelet
By Celine
Located in Paris, FR
Celine gold-tone chain bracelet featuring gold-tone pitted “Celine Paris”, a free logo medal. Circa 1990s. Maxi Length: 8.2in. (21cm) Width: 1in (2.5cm) In good vintage condition. ...
Celine Silver Tone Caleche Tie Link
By Celine
Located in Paris, FR
Celine Silver-tone “Caleche” tie link featuring a gold-tone “Caleche”, gold-tone outline, pitted at back. Circa 1980s In good vintage condition. Made in France. Tie Length: 1.9in. (...
rare OLD CELINE Phoebe Philo Runway gold-tone mixed chunky loop chain necklace
By Celine
Located in Hong Kong, NT
rare OLD CELINE Phoebe Philo Runway gold-tone mixed chunky loop chain necklace Reference: TGAS/E00724 Brand: Celine Designer: Phoebe Philo Collection: Runway Material: Metal Color: B...
Celine Pave Gold Chain Door Knocker Earrings
By Celine
Located in New York, NY
Cool (and large) Celine Gold Chain Door Knocker Earrings with pave rhinestones from the late 1980's with curb chain fringe. Imposing scale and beautifully crafted for Celine in Italy...
Gilt Metal
Celine Pave Silver Chain Earrings
By Celine
Located in New York, NY
Cool (and large) Celine Silver Chain Door Knocker Earrings with pave rhinestones from the late 1980's with curb chain fringe. Imposing scale and beautifully crafted for Celine in Ita...
Gilt Metal
Celine Paris 1980s Vintage Gold Iconic Massive Logo Circle Hoop Drop Earrings
By Celine
Located in Wokingham, England
Celine Paris 1980s Vintage Unisex Massive Iconic Logo Monogram Circle Round Hoop Large Chunky Modernist Drop Clip Earrings, Gold Plated Versatile earrings. Can be worn in different ...
Gold-filled
Celine Silver Tone Triomphe Tie Link
By Celine
Located in Paris, FR
Celine Silver-tone “Triomphe” tie link featuring a gold-tone “Triomphe” logo and pitted at back. In good vintage condition. Made in France. Circa 1990s Tie Length: 1.9in. (5cm) Tie...
rare OLD CELINE Phoebe Philo Runway gold tubular square bangle cuff S
By Celine
Located in Hong Kong, NT
rare OLD CELINE Phoebe Philo Runway gold tubular square bangle cuff S Reference: TGAS/E00721 Brand: Celine Designer: Phoebe Philo Collection: Runway Material: Metal Color: Gold Patte...
Celine Vintage 1990 Massive Gold Toned Disc Pendant Necklace
By Celine
Located in Nice, FR
CELINE vintage 1990 gold toned chunky chain featuring a massive disc pendant embossed CELINE PARIS. Secure clasp closure. Embossed CELINE PARIS on the clasp. Embossed CELINE PARIS ...
Celine 1990 Vintage Large Gold Round Stars Celestial Pentagram Domed Earrings
By Celine
Located in Wokingham, England
Celine 1990 Vintage Unisex Large Iconic Classic Cluster Stars Celestial Pentagram Round Circle Domed Chunky Elegant Modernist Clip Earrings, Gold Plated Very good condition. Light s...
Gold Plate
CELINE Vintage Silver Tone Coin Medallion Charm Chain Link Bracelet
By Celine
Located in Nice, FR
CELINE vintage silver tone spiga wheat chain link bracelet featuring numerous coin medallion charms. Toggle closure. Embossed CELINE PARIS Made in Italy. Indicative measurements :...
Vintage Massive CELINE PARIS Logo Medallion Pendant Chain Necklace
By Celine
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage Massive CELINE PARIS Logo Medallion Pendant Chain Necklace Measurements: Height: 3.15 inches (8 cm) Width: 3.15 inches (8 cm) Wearable Length: 37.79 inches (96 cm) Features...
Vintage Celine Dangling Globe and Arc De Triomphe Necklace Circa 1980s
By Celine
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Celine Dangling Globe and Arc De Triomphe Pieces. Such a Classic Piece. I just love this piece, and I think it's incredibly classy. Something about it. It is weighty and just...
Mixed Metal
CELINE Vintage Massive Jewelled Faux Pearl Dangle Earrings
By Celine
Located in Nice, FR
CELINE vintage massive gold tone dangle earrings (clip-on) featuring a geometric square-shaped design, embellished with textured glass faux pearls and clear crystals. Embossed CELI...
Gilt Metal
Celine Name & Logo Charm Bracelet with Antique Bronze Patina, 1990s
By Celine
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and fully loaded charm bracelet by Celine from the 1990s. It has an antique bronze patina finish and has 17 charms. Six of the charms...
Base Metal
Vintage Massive CELINE Coil Knotted Snake Silver Necklace
By Celine
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage Massive CELINE Coil Knotted Snake Silver Necklace Measurements: Centrepiece Height: 2 4/8 inches (6.35 cms) Wearable Length: 18 2/8 inches (46.35 cms) until 20 inches (50.80...
Celine Diamond Ring. Diamond Solitaire Engagement Pt900 Platinum band. Certified
By Celine
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Genuine Celine Diamond Ring. Diamond Solitaire with accents Engagement ring. Certified. Comes with Celine Certificate of Authenticity. Details: Size 5 Pt900 Platinum 0.26ct with F...
Diamond, Platinum
Celine Wide Cuff Bracelet Star New, Never Worn 1990s
By Celine
Located in Wallkill, NY
Stunning wide Celine Cuff. Hammered Gold tone Metal, Cut outs in the shapes of stars. Double safety claps Hinged, more like a side clamper. Hallmarked Celine G1 #401, Measures 2.25 ...
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1990 CELINE PARIS Spiral Wood Charm Cuff Bracelet
By Celine
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage 1990 CELINE PARIS Spiral Wood Charm Cuff Bracelet Measurements: Height: 2.05 inches (5.2 cm) Wearable Circumference: 6.57 inches (16.7 cm) Featur...
Celine Dark-silvery Metal Bracelet, Ornamented with Black Rhinestones
By Celine
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Celine- (Made in Italy) Dark-silvery metal bracelet, ornamented with black rhinestones. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Circumference: 15 cm Sell...
Vintage CELINE PARIS Horse Carriage Medallion Enamel Link Bracelet
By Celine
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage CELINE PARIS Horse Carriage Medallion Enamel Link Bracelet Measurements: Height: 1.22 inches (3.1 cm) Wearable Length: 7.68 inches (19.5 cms) Features: - 100% Authentic CELINE PARIS. - Alternate beige enamel Celine horse carriage...
Vintage CELINE Blazon Logo Disc Coin Link Bracelet
By Celine
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage CELINE Blazon Logo Disc Coin Link Bracelet Measurements: Height: 1.77 inches (4.5 cm) Wearable Length: 6.69 inches (17 cms) Features: - 100% Authentic CELINE. - Two tiered ...
Vintage CELINE PARIS Planet Two Tone Link Bracelet
By Celine
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage CELINE PARIS Planet Two Tone Link Bracelet Measurements: Height: 1.18 inches (3 cm) Wearable Length: 7.28 inches (18.5 cm) Depth: 0.55 inch (1.4 cm) Features: - 100% Authen...
Vintage 1989 CELINE PARIS Multi Chain Two Tone Box Closure Bracelet
By Celine
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage 1989 CELINE PARIS Multi Chain Two Tone Box Closure Bracelet Measurements: Height: 1.22 inches (3.1 cm) Wearable Length: 5.70 inches to 6.29 inches (14.5 cm to 16 cm) Featur...
Vintage CELINE PARIS Iconic Arc de Triomphe Planet Charms Choker Necklace
By Celine
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage CELINE PARIS Iconic Arc de Triomphe Planet Charms Choker Necklace Measurements: Height: 1.77 inches (4.5 cm) Wearable Length: 17.32 inches (44 cm...