• Website: celine.com
• Founded: 1945, Paris, France.
• Founder: Céline Vipiana
• Owned By: LVMH
• Known For: Triomphe, Luggage, 16, Belt Bag, Parisian style, refined leather goods
• Category Focus: Handbags, leather goods, ready-to-wear, footwear, eyewear, accessories, jewelry, fragrance, beauty
Celine is one of France's most influential luxury fashion houses, renowned for refined leather goods, distinctive handbags, and a modern expression of Parisian style. Founded in Paris in 1945 by Céline Vipiana, the maison began as a children's shoemaking business before expanding into women's fashion, accessories, and an international luxury wardrobe.
Known for combining practical elegance, exceptional materials, and confident design, Celine has developed a recognizable identity across different creative eras. House signatures—including the Triomphe clasp, Triomphe Canvas, sculptural handbags, and precise tailoring—connect its Parisian heritage with contemporary fashion.
Today, Celine is part of LVMH, continuing to develop its fashion and leather goods collections under Chief Executive Officer Séverine Merle and Creative Director Michael Rider.
Classique Triomphe Bag
Teen Triomphe Bag
16 Bag
Luggage Tote
Belt Bag
Classic Box Bag
Triomphe Belt
Triomphe Sunglasses
Celine's story began in 1945, when Céline Vipiana established a children's shoemaking business in Paris. Its reputation for quality and carefully considered design encouraged expansion into women's footwear, leather goods, accessories, and clothing.
The maison developed an approach to fashion rooted in practical sophistication, with sportswear and leather craftsmanship becoming important parts of its identity. The Triomphe monogram, inspired by the chains surrounding the Arc de Triomphe, established an enduring connection between Celine and its Parisian surroundings.
Successive creative directors shaped distinct chapters of the house, from Phoebe Philo's influential modern wardrobe to Hedi Slimane's youth-driven Parisian aesthetic. Today, Michael Rider continues this evolution while drawing on Celine's history of craftsmanship, personal style, and everyday elegance.
Key milestones:
• 1945: Céline Vipiana establishes the maison in Paris, specializing in children's shoes.
• 1968: Celine introduces a sportswear line, strengthening its presence in women's fashion.
• 1972: The house introduces its historic monogram, later revived through Triomphe Canvas.
• 1994: Celine joins the Comité Colbert, the association representing French luxury craftsmanship.
• 1996: Celine becomes part of LVMH, supporting its international development.
• 2008: Phoebe Philo becomes Creative Director, beginning an influential chapter in modern womenswear.
• 2018: Hedi Slimane becomes Artistic, Creative and Image Director, expanding the house's creative direction.
• 2018: Slimane creates the Triomphe Bag, reinterpreting Celine's historic emblem as a signature clasp.
• 2024: Celine expands into cosmetics with the launch of Le Rouge Celine lipstick.
• 2025: Michael Rider begins his creative leadership and presents his debut collection for the maison.
Celine transformed a Parisian shoemaking business into an influential fashion house, combining practical elegance, distinctive leather goods, and a continually evolving creative identity.
“Celine turns everyday elegance into a distinctive expression of luxury. Its strength lies in combining exceptional materials, confident design, and a Parisian spirit that evolves across generations.”
Celine matters because it helped shape a modern luxury wardrobe built around personal style, refined craftsmanship, and practical elegance.
Its influence can be seen across:
• The evolution of modern minimalist fashion
• The development of distinctive luxury handbags
• The connection between Parisian style and youth culture
• The integration of everyday function into luxury design
By combining leather craftsmanship, recognizable house codes, and an evolving creative perspective, Celine continues to influence contemporary luxury.
