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...
Wide 12-Row Diamond Bracelet, 20 Carat, 672 Diamonds, 18 Karat White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
This stunning bracelet is absolutely magnificent. Featuring 672 round brilliant cut diamonds totaling approximately 20.00 carats. The bracelet is beautifully crafted in 18k white gol...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
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
$33,800
W 1.5 in L 9.4 in
Chaumet Paris Retro Ruby and Diamond Wide Bracelet with Brooch Clip in 18K Gold
By Chaumet
Located in Dallas, TX
Dazzling Chaumet Paris retro bracelet of jarretière (belt and buckle) design featuring rubies and glittering diamonds set in 18 karat yellow gold. The bracelet incorporates iconic ‘b...
Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, 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
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
1940s Retro 18K Rose Gold Wide Tank Bracelet, Vintage Statement Piece
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
A rich, soft hued 18 Karat rose gold link bracelet is an impressive vintage heirloom from the grand Retro era of 1940s. An authentic stunner designed to portray the treads from a tan...
18k Gold, Rose Gold, Gold
Emerald Sapphire Ruby and Diamond Bracelet in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Bracelet Specifications: Metal: 18k Yellow Gold Gemstones: 2 red rubies, 2 green emeralds and 2 blue sapphires Gemstones Total Carat Weight: ~0.60 carats Diamond Count: 5 Diamon...
Ruby, Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
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
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...
Round Red Ruby Tennis Bracelet in 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Bracelet Specifications: Metal: 14k Yellow Gold Gemstones: red rubies Red Ruby Carat Weight: 4.5 carats Red Ruby Count: 47 Bracelet Length: ~7.00 inches Bracelet Width: ~ 0.12...
Ruby, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
0.33 Carat Round Diamond 4-Prong Ring in 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Chicago, IL
This piece comes directly from the vault of Atlantic Diamond Company—a family-run fine jewelry house with nearly 50 years of history serving elite collectors, retailers, and dealers ...
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Colombia Emerald and Diamond Halo Tennis Bracelet, in 18 Karat White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
This stunning tennis bracelet is absolutely beautiful, made in 18k white gold with 7 oval shape vibrant green natural Colombian Emeralds. The Emeralds are bezel set with mil-grain de...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold