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...
French Retro Braided Gold Curb Link Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
The heavy 18kt yellow gold bracelet designed as a highly flexible row of handmade braided oval curb links, maker's mark for Rollang et Fils et Cie, stamped 750, French, ca. 1945, mea...
Gold, 18k Gold
Circa 1970 14 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Spray Wide Flexible Bracelet
Located in Wheaton, IL
Beautiful Circa 1970 14k yellow gold and diamond spray wide flexible bracelet - sculpted floral leaf yellow gold diamond clasp set with three small round diamonds - wide heavy 14k yellow gold braided...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Original French Art-Deco Platinum and Diamond Bracelet
Located in Amsterdam, NL
This antique French Art-Deco piece is truly spectacular. Unlike many re-productions, this is a genuine French art-deco Diamond and platinum bracelet from the 1920’s. There are abou...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
$5,773Sale Price|20% Off
W 0.63 in D 0.56 in L 8.47 in
Mediterranean Red Coral White Diamond Emerald Enamel Yellow Gold Frogs Bracelet
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
For any problems related to some materials contained in the items that do not allow shipping, please contact the seller with a private message to solve the problem. We can ship every...
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling ...
$1,197Sale Price / item|20% Off
14 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond "Love Knot" Bracelet
By Gregory Mikaelian & Sons, Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is very beautiful 14k yellow gold diamond "Love Knot" bracelet with 38 round diamonds color G and clarity VS2 weighing .90cts. very fine quality diamonds, bracelet measures 7.25...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Lucky Nine Gems Bracelet Handcrafted in 18k Yellow Gold with Enamel at the Back
Located in Jaipur, IN
Considered as the Nine Lucky Gems in Indian Mythology, the gems together are supposed to benefit the wearer both Physically and mentally. The gems in the bracelet are Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Diamond, Pearl, Catseye, Yellow Sapphire, Garnet and Coral. Together they are called " Nav Ratan "the Nine Lucky Gems. Each stones is intricately set by our trained artisans using 'Kundan' which is pure gold on the sides. On the back side you will notice beautiful enamel work. The enamel is inspired by the beautiful Moroccan Tiles. The closing mechanism of the bracelet is a very old Indian Traditional mechanism that is both safe and easy to wear. If you see old Indian Jewellery...
Coral, Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapp...
Mens Large Diamond Bracelet, 30.36 Carats, 1452 diamonds, 14K White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Mens large 14k white gold diamond bracelet containing six large rectangular links. Each link is invisible set with 110 square princess cut diamonds totaling approximately 3.30 carats and 76 round diamonds totaling approximately 0.96 carats. The large links are joined together by smaller center links, pave set with 54 round diamonds totaling approximately 0.50 carats. Each large link is set with two round diamonds bezel set on each side totaling approximately 0.30 carats. A total of 660 princess cut diamonds and 792 round diamonds. Total diamond weight is approximately 30.36 carats. The bracelet is 9 inches long and 125.80 grams in weight. Open gallery cutout design with a slide latch clasp and a security side clasp. All diamonds are 100% natural, with no treatments or enhancements. This is a preowned estate bracelet in very good condition. Bracelet Specifications: Style: Invisible Set Diamond...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1930s Whiting & Davis Metal Mesh NOS Deadstock Gold-Tone Gauntlet Bracelet Set
By Whiting & Davis
Located in North Attleboro, MA
Introducing a rare vintage find, a set of two vintage 1930s Whiting and Davis metal mesh gauntlet bracelets! This beautiful set features Whiting & Davis' expertly crafted gold-tone "...
Base Metal
14K Yellow Gold Flower Bracelet with White Pearls 7.25" Vintage Women's
Located in Puyallup, WA
Offering classic beauty and sophisticated elegance, this 14K Yellow Gold Flower Bracelet captures the romantic appeal of vintage style. With an ample length of 7.25, this women's acc...
Pearl, Yellow Gold
18k White Gold Art Deco Style Bracelet with Emeralds and Diamonds
Located in New York, US
This exquisite Art Deco-style bracelet is crafted in luxurious 18k white gold, showcasing a bold geometric design characteristic of the era. It features beautifully set square-cut em...
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold
$4,900Sale Price|30% Off
14 karat yellow gold classic box custom diamond tennis bracelet 2.55 carat
By Gregory Mikaelian & Sons, Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is very beautiful 14k yellow gold classic box custom diamond tennis bracelet with 44 round diamonds color F-G and clarity VS2 weighing 2.55cts. very fine quality diamonds, brace...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,924Sale Price|20% Off
W 0.79 in L 6.3 in
Art Nouveau Style 0.25 Carat White Diamond Emerald Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
For any problems related to some materials contained in the items that do not allow shipping, please contact the seller with a private message to solve the problem. We can ship every...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Yellow G...