Celine (brand)

French fashion brand

This article is about the fashion house. For other uses, see Celine (disambiguation).

Celine

Facade of a Celine boutique in Zhengzhou, China

Company type| Subsidiary
Industry| Fashion
Founded| 1945; 80 years ago (1945)
Founder| Céline Vipiana
Headquarters| 16 rue Vivienne, 75002, Paris,

Paris

France

Products|

* Haute couture
* ready-to-wear
* leather goods
* perfume

Parent| LVMH
Website| www.celine.com
Former logo of Celine

Celine (formerly spelled Céline, stylized in all caps) is a French luxury fashion house founded in 1945 by fashion designer Céline Vipiana. The headquarters are located at 16 rue Vivienne in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris at the Hôtel Colbert de Torcy, which has French Historic Monument classification.[1]

Séverine Merle has been the Chief Executive Officer since April 2017.[2] Michael Rider, formerly of Ralph Lauren, has been creative director of the brand since 2025 after the departure of Hedi Slimane in October 2024.[3][4]

## History

[edit]

### Creation

[edit]

In 1945, Céline Vipiana (1915–1997)[5] and her husband, Richard, created one of the first luxury brands in the industry, Céline, a made-to-measure children's shoe business,[6] and opened a first boutique at 52 rue Malte in Paris.[7] The brand was recognised by its logo, the red elephant created by Raymont Peynet.[8]

### New positioning

[edit]

In 1960, the brand decided to change its positioning by focusing its business on a ready-to-wear fashion brand for women with a sportswear approach.[9] Henceforth, the brand offered a range of leather goods such as bags, loafers, gloves, and clothes.[10] Céline Vipiana remained the designer from 1945 until her retirement in 1988.[11] In 1964, the launch of the new fragrance "Vent fou"[12] and the new "American Sulky" collection of accessories gained success. The trench coat became the chief product of the house.[13] Prompted by the popularity of leather, Céline opened a leather goods boutique in Florence.[14]

In 1973, Céline redesigned its logo with the intertwined "C" Sulky canvas, linked to the Arc-de-Triomphe, which appeared as a symbol for Parisians.[15] At that time, Céline began its expansion in the world with the opening of various boutiques in Monte Carlo, Geneva, Hong Kong, Lausanne, Toronto and Beverly Hills.[16] The brand's founders wished to be part of a charitable association, so Richard Vipiana established the Céline-Pasteur Prize, a sponsor for the American Hospital of Paris in 1973.[17]

### Acquisition by LVMH

[edit]

Celine boutique in Madrid, Spain

Global ambassador Park Bo-gum inside a Celine boutique in Taipei, Taiwan in 2024

Black leather belt by Celine Global ambassador Park Bo-gum wearing Celine at a brand event in Singapore, 2024

In 1987, with the approval of the Vipiana family, Bernard Arnault purchased a portion of Céline's capital.[18] In 1996, the brand was integrated into the LVMH group for 2.7 billion French francs ($540 million).[19] LVMH propelled the house to fame with the opening of a flagship boutique at 36 avenue Montaigne in Paris.[20]

## Creative directors

[edit]

### Early years

[edit]

* 1988–1997: Peggy Huynh Kinh[21]
* 1997–2003: Michael Kors[22]
* 2004–2005: Roberto Menichetti
* 2005–2008: Ivana Omazic[23]

### Phoebe Philo, 2008–2018

[edit]

On September 4, 2008, the fashion portal Women's Wear Daily announced that Bernard Arnault, president of LVMH, had appointed Phoebe Philo as the new creative director of Céline.[24] Philo's tenure at Céline began in October 2008. She presented her first ready-to-wear collection for Spring/Summer 2010 at Paris Fashion Week.[25] Pierre-Yves Roussel, chief executive officer of LVMH’s fashion division, said that recruiting Philo was allowing her to express her vision.[26] In 2009, Vogue Magazine defined her style as the “cool minimal trend”.[27]

In 2010, Philo received the Designer of the Year award from British Fashion Council. In 2011, she was awarded International Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America.[28] Both prizes were awarded for her work at Céline. In December 2017, Philo announced her departure from Céline after finishing the Fall 2018 collection, which was presented in March of that same year.[29]

### Hedi Slimane, 2018–2024

[edit]

On January 21, 2018, LVMH announced the appointment of Hedi Slimane as "artistic, creative and image director" in February. He directed all Céline collections, extending the brand's offering with the launch of men’s fashion, couture, and fragrances.[30]

Slimane’s Céline studio was based in Los Angeles, with a prototype studio and an atelier in Paris.[31] In September 2018, Slimane presented an updated Celine logo on the brand's Instagram account.[32][33] He created his retail flagship concept stores in Paris, Tokyo, Shanghai, Beverly Hills, Madrid, Milan and London.[34] Slimane replaced the brand's traditional style with his signature "driven by youth culture, indie rock and sulking adolescence".[35] Slimane exited the brand in October of 2024.[3]

### Michael Rider, 2025–present

[edit]

On October 2, 2024, LVMH announced the appointment of Michael Rider as the new creative director of Celine, set to join in early 2025. He will direct all Celine collections, ranging from leather goods to couture. Previously, Rider was the creative director for Ralph Lauren Polo from 2018 to May 2024.[36] He also worked as a design director at Celine during Phoebe Philo's tenure.

## CEOs

[edit]

* 2000–2006: Jean-Marc Loubier
* 2006–2008: Serge Brunschwig[37]
* 2008–2016: Marco Gobbetti[38]
* 2016–2017: Pierre-Yves Roussel (ad interim)[39]
* 2017–present: Séverine Merle[40]

## Other activities

[edit]

In 2000, Celine entered into a worldwide licensing agreement with De Rigo for its collection of sunglasses and frames for corrective eyewear.[41] From 2011, the brand had a five-year licensing agreement with Safilo.[42] From 2000 to 2011, Interparfums held the worldwide license for the development, manufacture, and distribution of Celine fragrance lines.[43] The fragrance lines have since[when?] been managed in-house.[44]

## Retail

[edit]

The brand operates 178 boutiques worldwide[45] and is distributed through a selective network including the luxury department stores Bergdorf Goodman (New York), Harrods (London), Galeries Lafayette (Paris), and Faradays (Auckland).[46]

## Marketing

[edit]

For its advertising campaigns, Celine has worked with photographers like Patrick Demarchelier (1998–2001)[47][48] and Michael Thompson (2001).[49] Its brand ambassadors have included singer Lisa (2020–2024),[50] Park Bo-gum (since 2022; first actor global ambassador),[51] singer V (since 2023),[52] singer Danielle Marsh (since 2024),[53] boy group TWS (since 2024)[54], and actress Liu Shishi (since December 2024).[55]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Robert Murphy, The House That Céline Built March 25, 2015
2. ^ "Céline Finds Next CEO; Plots Online Sales".
3. ^ a b Guilbault, Laure (2024-10-02). "Hedi Slimane exits Celine". Vogue Business. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
4. ^ Phelps, Laure Guilbault,Nicole (2024-10-02). "Michael Rider is the new creative director at Celine". Vogue Business. Retrieved 2024-10-02.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
5. ^ "Céline - Vogue.it". Archived from the original on 2017-12-27. Retrieved 2016-03-09.
6. ^ Celine Archived 2013-02-05 at the Wayback Machine New York Magazine
7. ^ Celine & Ivana Viplana, Omazic
8. ^ vogue.com Céline Archived 2014-07-19 at the Wayback Machine
9. ^ europa-exclusive.com Celine[usurped]
10. ^ thinkfashion.com Celine Designer Profile Archived 2022-07-03 at the Wayback Machine
11. ^ Céline New York Magazine
12. ^ Vogue France, Céline
13. ^ "Celine & Ivana Viplana, Omazic - Fashion Designer | Designers | The FMD". The FMD - FashionModelDirectory.com. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
14. ^ Céline
15. ^ "Celine & Ivana Viplana, Omazic - Fashion Designer | Designers | The FMD". The FMD - FashionModelDirectory.com. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
16. ^ "Céline". Archived from the original on 2015-11-18. Retrieved 2014-07-28.
17. ^ Vogue France, Céline
18. ^ "Céline". Archived from the original on 2014-07-19. Retrieved 2014-07-08.
19. ^ "INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS;Moet Hennessy to Buy Celine Fashion House (Published 1996)". The New York Times. 1996-03-22. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
20. ^ "Celine & Ivana Viplana, Omazic - Fashion Designer | Designers | The FMD". The FMD - FashionModelDirectory.com. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
21. ^ Houpert, Vanessa. "Celine, l'histoire mode de la marque". elle.fr.
22. ^ Michael Kors Official biography Archived 2008-06-07 at the Wayback Machine
23. ^ Ramirez, Elva (2008-10-02). "Celine's Ivana Omazic Takes Final Bow". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
24. ^ Socha, Miles (2008-09-04). "Celine Taps Phoebe Philo". WWD. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
25. ^ "Pre-Owned Céline - Vintage Céline - Farfetch". www.farfetch.com. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
26. ^ "Céline appoints Phoebe Philo as creative director". Archived from the original on 2016-03-06. Retrieved 2014-08-05.
27. ^ "Featured designer: Celine". www.dailytelegraph.com.au. 2013-10-18. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
28. ^ "The mastermind behind the transformation of Céline". 2012-11-01. Archived from the original on 2014-08-08. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
29. ^ "Phoebe Philo to Leave Céline". WWD. December 22, 2017.
30. ^ "Hedi Slimane Named Artistic, Creative and Image Director of Céline". BusinessWire. January 21, 2018.
31. ^ Matthew Schneier (21 January 2018), Hedi Slimane Taking the Reins at Céline New York Times.
32. ^ Pithers, Ellie. "Céline Unveils A New Logo". Retrieved 2018-10-06.
33. ^ "Fashion's branding crisis". Fast Company. 2018-09-06. Retrieved 2018-10-06.
34. ^ Hedi Slimane’s store designs ramp up retail at Celine Wallpaper*, AMY SERAFIN, 24 May 2019
35. ^ A provocative designer has just blown up a 70-year-old brand. But to what end? The Washington Post, Robin Givhan, September 29, 2018
36. ^ Milnes, Hilary (2024-05-13). "Polo Ralph Lauren's Michael Rider to exit". Vogue Business. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
37. ^ Miles Socha (7 March 2006), Brunschwig in Line For Celine CEO Job Women's Wear Daily.
38. ^ Miles Socha (4 September 2008), Celine Taps Phoebe Philo Women's Wear Daily.
39. ^ EXCLUSIVE: Céline Finds Next CEO; Plots Online Sales Women's Wear Daily, 24 February 2017.
40. ^ EXCLUSIVE: Céline Finds Next CEO; Plots Online Sales Women's Wear Daily, 24 February 2017.
41. ^ Katherine Weisman (24 May 2000), CELINE INKS GLOBAL LICENSE WITH DE RIGO FOR EYEWEAR Women's Wear Daily.
42. ^ Luisa Zargani (14 November 2011), Céline Inks Deal With Safilo Women's Wear Daily.
43. ^ Jennifer Weil (24 May 2000), CELINE IN LICENSE DEAL WITH INTER PARFUMS Women's Wear Daily.
44. ^ Jennifer Weil (18 August 2019), Celine Teases New Scents by Hedi Slimane Women's Wear Daily.
45. ^ Muret, Dominique (8 November 2022). "Celine ouvre une sixième boutique au cœur de Paris". Fashion Network. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
46. ^ "For the first time, Celine's coveted womenswear is available in New Zealand — landing exclusively at Faradays today". 17 August 2023.
47. ^ Katherine Weisman (22 January 1999), Paris's Fashion Fling Women's Wear Daily.
48. ^ Katherine Weisman (7 January 2000), Paris Accents The Power Of Product Women's Wear Daily.
49. ^ Miles Socha and Robert Murphy (26 January 2001), Paris: It’s Sex And The City Women's Wear Daily.
50. ^ Joelle Diderich (23 July 2024), Blackpink’s Lisa Named Louis Vuitton Brand Ambassador Women's Wear Daily
51. ^ 박서령 (2022-11-24). "박보검, 남자 배우 최초 셀린느의 글로벌 앰배서더 발탁". W korea (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-06-28.
52. ^ Kristopher Fraser (8 July 2024), BTS’ High-profile Brand Ambassadorships: Jin Shines for Fred Jewelry, J-Hope Models for Louis Vuitton and More Women's Wear Daily
53. ^ Kirsty Thatcher (28 March 2024), NewJeans’ Danielle Joins Celine As Global Ambassador Elle
54. ^ Miles Socha (28 November 2024), Celine Signs TWS as Ambassadors Amid Retail Push in Korea Women's Wear Daily
55. ^ Templeton, Lily (2024-12-10). "EXCLUSIVE: Celine Taps Liu Shishi as Global Ambassador". WWD. Retrieved 2025-07-09.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Label overview at New York magazine Fashion Shows

* v
* t
* e

LVMH

Board of
directors|

* Albert Frère
* Antoine Arnault
* Bernadette Chirac
* Bernard Arnault
* Charles Powell
* Charles de Croisset
* Delphine Arnault
* Diego Della Valle
* Felix Rohatyn
* Gilles Hennessy
* Hubert Védrine
* Yves-Thibault de Silguy

Fashion and
leather goods|

* Berluti
* Celine
* Christian Dior
* Emilio Pucci
* Fendi
* Givenchy
* JW Anderson
* Kenzo
* Loewe
* Loro Piana
* Louis Vuitton
* Marc Jacobs
* Moynat
* Off-White
* Patou
* Phoebe Philo
* Rimowa
* Stella McCartney

Perfumes and
cosmetics|

* Acqua di Parma
* Benefit Cosmetics
* Cha Ling
* Fenty Beauty by Rihanna
* Fresh
* Parfums Givenchy
* Guerlain
* Kenzo Parfums
* KVD Vegan Beauty
* Maison Francis Kurkdjian
* Make Up For Ever
* Marc Jacobs Beauty
* Officine Universelle Buly
* Ole Henriksen
* Parfums Christian Dior
* Perfumes Loewe
* STELLA by Stella McCartney

Selective
retailing|

* DFS
* La Grande Epicerie
* La Samaritaine
* Le Bon Marché
* Sephora
* Starboard Cruise Services

Watches and
jewelry|

* Bulgari
* Chaumet
* Daniel Roth
* Fred
* Hublot
* Repossi
* TAG Heuer
* Tiffany & Co.
* Zenith

Wines and
spirits|

* Ao Yun
* Ardbeg
* Armand de Brignac
* Belvedere
* Bodega Numanthia
* Cape Mentelle
* Chandon
* Château Cheval Blanc
* Château d'Esclans
* Château d'Yquem
* Château Galoupet
* Cheval des Andes
* Clos des Lambrays
* Cloudy Bay
* Colgin Cellars
* Dom Pérignon
* Glenmorangie
* Hennessy
* Joseph Phelps Vineyards
* Krug
* Mercier
* Moët & Chandon
* Newton Vineyard
* Ruinart
* SirDavis
* Terrazas de los Andes
* Veuve Clicquot
* Volcan de mi Tierra
* Woodinville Whiskey Company

Travel|

* Belmond
* Cheval Blanc

Media|

* Connaissance des Arts
* Les Echos
* Investir
* Medici.tv (50%)
* Mezzo TV (50%)
* Le Parisien
* Paris Match
* Radio Classique

Other|

* Cova
* Financière Agache
* Jardin d'Acclimatation
* Royal Van Lent

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