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 1990s Gold Tone Horse Emblem Leather Bracelet
By Celine
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Indulge in equestrian elegance with the Celine 1990s Gold Tone Horse Emblem Leather Bracelet. This brown leather bracelet features a distinctive yellow g...
Diamonds, 23.40g Pink Little Pearls Rows Rose Gold Silver Beaded Bracelet
Located in Napoli, Campania
Refine beaded retrò bracelet composed of 6 pink little pearls rows (23.40 g) adorned with 9K rose gold and silver detailes studded with 0.14 ct of diamonds and finally 9K rose gold ...
Diamond, Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Rubies, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Link Bracelet.
Located in Napoli, Campania
Retrò bracelet in 9 kt rose gold and silver structure realized with geometric shapes studded with diamonds and rubies. This bracelet was totally handmade by Italian master goldsmit...
Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Bakelite Bracelet Bangle in Bi-Color Butterscotch and Green Lamination
Located in Atlanta, GA
This is a stunning bicolor marble Bakelite-laminated bracelet bangle. The piece features a chunky domed shape with a bi-layer design. The colors are a sunny orange butterscotch marbl...
Coral, Carnelian, Retrò Bracelet
Located in Napoli, Campania
Beautiful retrò bracelet in silver structure mounted with bamboo corals and carnelian along all the bracelet. Total Weight 22.40 gr RF EH For any inquiries,please contact the seller through the message center.
Carnelian, Coral, Silver
Baume And Mercier Ladies Hampton Diamond Wrist Watch 30mm Mother of Pearl Dial
By Baume & Mercier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Specifications: MAIN stone: FULL CUT ROUND DIAMOND DIAMOND: 14 PIECES CARAT TOTAL WEIGHT: approx 0.25 CTW COLOR/clarity: F/VS DIAL: Mother of Pearl brand: BA...
Diamond, Stainless Steel
Sapphires, Rubies, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Bracelet.
Located in Napoli, Campania
Beautiful bracelet in 9 kt rose gold and silver structure composed by 8 sections mounted with a central sapphire surrounded by diamonds. Every section is linked to a flower mounted w...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
French Art Deco Black Celluloid Bracelet Bangle with Gold Application
Located in Atlanta, GA
This is a lovely 1920s French Art Deco celluloid bracelet bangle. It features a light hollow tube shape with a branch design around the bracelet. The hollow bracelet technique is an...
Carnelian, Pearls, Retrò Bracelet
Located in Napoli, Campania
Simple retrò bracelet in silver structure mounted with carnelian and pearls. This bracelet were totally handmade by Italian master goldsmiths and ...
Carnelian, Pearl, Silver
Green Amethyst, Sapphires, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Snake Bracelet.
Located in Napoli, Campania
Fashion bracelet in 9 kt rose gold and silver structure mounted with a central green amethyst on the head surrounded by diamonds and sapphires; two sapphires as eyes and sapphires on...
Amethyst, Diamond, Sapphire, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Corals, Emeralds, Tsavorite, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Snake Bracelet
Located in Napoli, Campania
Snake bracelet in 9 kt rose gold and silver structure. The snake body consists of 13 sections mounted with a pink coral while the snake head and the tail are enriched with diamonds....
Coral, Diamond, Emerald, Tsavorite, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Diamonds Green Agate Rings Yellow Stones Rose Gold and Silver Link Bracelet
Located in Napoli, Campania
Refine and elegant link bracelet in 9K rose gold and silver structure mounted with 8 yellow stones (3.31 g) and 8 green agate rings (2.40 g) adorned ...
Agate, Diamond, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
13.30 Carat Cubic Zirconia Sterling Silver Designer Pave Set Disc Bracelet
By Lustre of London
Located in London, GB
This striking pave set bracelet is the epitome of beautiful jewellery. Versatile and elegant, adding instant glamour. Featuring 13.30ct of round brilliant cuts, set in 925 sterling ...
Sterling Silver, Rhodium, Silver