One of the last handbag designs by founder Céline Vipiana
British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood said it best when she advises, "Buy less. Choose well. Make it last."
This is my mindset back in the late 1990s when I find myself shopping in New York and I stumble upon the Celine store. I am familiar with their brand and know of their legacy for being quintessentially French and functional in handbag design. And they happen to have a massive sale of merchandise collected from previous seasons.
The discounted bags and accessories are stacked in the back corner. They look very different from the new designs of the season which Michael Kors, the newly positioned lead designer and creative director for Celine, is introducing. He is tasked by LVMH, the luxury conglomerate that acquired Celine a decade earlier, to reinvent the brand and make it competitive once again. He is up against the likes of Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton and Narciso Rodriguez for Loewe.
And just my luck I happen to be in the store to take advantage of the price reduction. There are plenty of interested customers, but I succeed in scooping two leather handbags in beautiful designs. One is midi-size hobo shoulder bag in a mock crocodile and the other one is a top-handle handbag in a beautiful ocre leather hue.
The shape of the ocre is not quite a rectangle as it slightly tapers like a trapezoid. But the overall design is simply chic. The enlarge zippers at the top moves smoothly and the side closure in light brushed gold-tone hardware bears the old style 'Celine Paris' circle logo which is used in the 1980s.
I am smitten by this bag and I snag it for incredibly less than its retail price. It is the only handbag in this style that is left on the sale counter. I see eyes full of envy looking at me as I take it away. They are probably hoping I will change my mind. But no dice. I am possessing this, along with the black hobo, as the first Celine handbags of my wardrobe.
And it turns out these two designer pieces have become the only accessories I own from the brand. I have not yet purchased another Celine handbag since this experience that occurs over two decades ago.
The mock crocodile hobo is now in the possession of my daughter. I allow her to borrow it at one time, but suddenly stakes an earlier inheritance claim and this has now become hers. The bag is still in pristine condition and it commands five times more than what I paid for it in the pre-loved market.
As for the ocre Circle logo top-handle leather bag, I still have it in my possession and continue to love and care for it. It still looks new despite its manufacture in the late 1990s. This is proof that nothing beats impeccable quality and craftsmanship. I will also gladly pass this along some day, but at this time the handbag continues to make my heart sing.
Interested in a vintage Celine handbag?
Here are some of my selections:
[Hover and click over the images. Please see Disclosures]
Who is Céline Vipiana?
In 1945, enterprising couple Robert and Céline Vipiana put up a children's shoe store in Paris. Two decades later, Céline expands this to include luxury accessories such as handbags and small leather goods. The simple design, quintessentially French aesthetic, yet utilitarian functionality is the reason for the brand's success.
Céline Vipiana will continue to design for her namesake company until her demise in 1997, when she was eighty-four years old. Although LVMH would acquire her company ten years earlier, they waited to reposition the brand and usher in American designer Michael Kors to give Celine a fresh direction in the luxury market.
Other famous designers followed. Phoebe Filo stays as the lead designer for a decade. She is known for the iconic Luggage Totes, Trapeze bags, and Classic Box. She has a legion of fans while being the creative director of the House of Celine that many weep when she decides to leave the brand.
And current Celine creative director Hedi Slimane went back to Celine's roots by removing the é accent on the brand name and returning the famous Celine canvas print known as the macadam in his modern designs.
However, there is still a clamor and interest for the legacy designs of the founding mother Céline Vipiana.
Fortunately, the recent collections released by Celine carries with it hints of the subtle and simple designs that is reminiscent of the brand aesthetic of its earlier years.
Such is the case as the Celine Cabas Bourgeois in smooth calfskin leather. Seeing this handbag reminds me of my ocre vintage top-handle bag.
If there is indeed a revival of older designs, and I happen to maintain my Celine in amazing condition, then the lifecycle of my handbag comes to a full circle. This is a true testament that having fewer, far better quality things, with tender, loving care, can truly stand the test of time.
Going the Pre-Loved Route
Buying pre-loved is a lot more common than it was before.
There are a plethora of used market platforms, from the classic eBay, to the new Poshmark, Tradesy, Vestiaire Collective, Facebook Groups, and many more.
The two who stand out because of authentication services (which is a an absolute prerequisite) and sale guarantees are Fashionphile and The Real Real.
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