Step into the world of luxury as we delve into the captivating history of Celine handbags. A brand synonymous with sophistication and timeless elegance, Celine has been a staple in the fashion industry for decades. A symbol of modern minimalism and sophistication, the Celine brand is renowned for knowing what women really want to wear. However, while defined for many modern fans by the work of former creative director Phoebe Philo, Celine actually has a long and storied history dating back to the 1940s. Here’s everything you need to know…
Origins of Excellence
Founded in 1945 by Céline Vipiana, the French fashion house quickly gained recognition for its exquisite craftsmanship and innovative designs. Each handbag is a work of art, meticulously crafted with the finest materials and attention to detail.
1945 Celine is founded by Céline and Richard Vapiana as a made-to-measure children’s shoe store at 52 Rue Malte in Paris. Its first logo is a distinctive red elephant created by cartoonist Raymond Peynet.
1948 Early success sees the Celine chain expand to three more stores.
1960 The brand repositions itself with its first ready-to-wear offering for women. The clothes take a sportswear approach and prioritise function as well as style.
1963 Celine introduces its first women’s shoe line.
1964 Vent Fou, the brand’s first fragrance, is launched featuring notes of jasmine, galbanum and rose.
1966 The Celine range expands to an array of leather accessories, including bags, gloves and belts, made in Florence to ensure quality.
1973 The elephant logo is replaced with a new design, known as the Blazon Chaine, featuring intertwining Cs inspired by the Arc de Triomphe. The logo is used to create the Celine’s first signature ‘C’ Sulky canvas
A Timeless Icon
Over the years, Celine handbags have become a symbol of luxury and status. Celebrities and fashion icons alike have been spotted carrying these iconic bags, solidifying their place in the world of high fashion.
1987 Bernard Arnault buys Celine’s capital and becomes the owner of all 89 of its stores worldwide.
1996 Celine officially becomes part of LVMH in a deal worth 2.7 billion francs ($540 million) and work begins on accelerating its ready-to-wear and accessories collections. Céline Vapiana remains as creative director.
1997 Céline Vapiana dies aged 84 and is immediately succeeded at the brand by Michael Kors. This puts Celine in direct competition with Louis Vuitton and Loewe, both of whom had also received new American creative directors (Marc Jacobs and Narciso Rodriquez respectively) at the same time.
Kors’ signature sportswear aesthetic brought to Celine a new accessibility focus on the jet set with collections featuring figure skimming dresses, cashmere sets, swimwear and colourful tailoring. Kors also introduced Celine’s ‘It’ Boogie and Poulbot styles, reinvigorating interest in the brand.
Innovation and Evolution
Celine has continued to push boundaries and redefine the concept of luxury handbags. From the iconic Luggage Tote to the sleek Trapeze bag, each design showcases the brand's commitment to innovation and creativity.
As the fashion world evolves, Celine remains at the forefront of luxury handbag design, setting trends and inspiring fashion enthusiasts around the globe.
2004 Amid declining sales, and discontent with the way LVMH treated its smaller labels, Kors exits Celine to focus on his label. Roberto Menichetti, previously of Burberry, takes over at the helm but lasts only a year.
2006 Ivana Omazic, who has held positions at Prada, Jil Sander and Miu Miu, is appointed as creative director but fails to deliver the results LVMH expects.
2008 Omazic is replaced by Phoebe Philo who proves to be the perfect person to bring this, now somewhat obscure, brand back to fashion’s forefront. Joining from Chloe, Philo showed her first collection for SS10, presenting an elegant, minimalist and precise take on Vapiana’s original aesthetic. Its strong, clean lines speak to contemporary consumers and the brand’s fortunes immediately turn round.
2015 Celine relocates its headquarters to 16 Rue Vivienne in Paris’ 2nd arrondissement.
2017 Séverine Merle is appointed CEO.
2018 After a hugely successful decade at Celine, Philo steps down and is replaced by Hedi Slimane. Fresh from his rebrand of Saint Laurent, Slimane stamps his trademark penchant for super skinny edgy styles on Celine - a move not well received by those who loved the brand under Philo. With his background in menswear, Slimane has managed to expand Celine’s share of the men’s market and critics and consumers alike do seem to have warmed to Slimane’s Celine in the seasons since.
The Future of Celine
With a rich history and a legacy of excellence, Celine handbags continue to captivate and inspire. The brand's commitment to quality and craftsmanship ensures that each handbag is a timeless investment, destined to be cherished for years to come.
Experience the allure of Celine handbags and elevate your style with a piece of fashion history that transcends time.