More about Celine
In 1945, Céline Vipiana and her husband Richard embarked on their entrepreneurial journey by opening a bespoke children's shoe boutique on 52 rue Malte in Paris. Adorned with their iconic red elephant logo, crafted by Raymont Peynet, this luxury footwear line quickly became a trailblazer in the children's shoe market. The boutique's instant success led to the opening of three additional stores by 1948. By 1960, Céline introduced a groundbreaking ready-to-wear sports line for women, aiming to democratize fashion with their "fashion for everyone" ethos, catering to all social classes, not just the elite.
Expanding their repertoire, the brand ventured into adult footwear, leather goods, and gloves. In 1964, they launched their fragrance, Vent Fou, followed by the "American Sulky" accessories collection, featuring coveted Céline handbags and wallets, further solidifying their prominence in the fashion world. Responding to the growing demand for high-quality leather, Vipiana and Richard established a factory in Florence, renowned for its superior craftsmanship.
In 1973, Céline unveiled a new logo—a intertwined "C" on Sulky canvas, inspired by the Arc-de-Triomphe. This period marked the brand's expansion into Japan, becoming the first luxury label to do so. Céline's global presence expanded to several international destinations, including Beverly Hills, Monte Carlo, Geneva, Toronto, and Lausanne.
In 1997, American designer Michael Kors took the reins as creative director, reviving the brand's allure with modern femininity and lavish accessories until 2004. In 2008, Phoebe Philo, renowned for her minimalist aesthetic, assumed the role of creative director, captivating audiences with her debut collection at Paris Fashion Week. Philo's tenure ushered in iconic designs, particularly the acclaimed Céline Luggage Bag and Céline Box Bag, garnering a cult-like following.
In 2018, Philo stepped down, making way for Hedi Slimane, previously of Saint Laurent, to helm the brand. Slimane redefined Céline's aesthetic, unveiling new bag styles like the Celine Le 16, Celine Triomphe, Celine C Bag, and Celine Besace 16 Bag, while streamlining the logo for a modern look. Whether you're drawn to the "new Celine" or Philo's era designs, Timeless Vintage offers an extensive collection of authentic preowned Céline handbags, wallets, and sunglasses, catering to every fashion aficionado's taste.