In the 1960s, Celine’s founder, Céline Vipiana, traveled to Florence to craft her very first leather goods collection. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a lasting bond between the Parisian fashion house and the artistry of Italian craftsmanship—a partnership that continues to shape Celine’s quiet, powerful legacy to this day. By marrying Parisian elegance with Italy’s time-honored leatherworking traditions, Vipiana ignited a story of timeless refinement and innovation.
From Sourcing to Sensation: The Art of Leather Selection
At the heart of Celine’s leathercraft is a relentless pursuit of quality materials. Each hide is sourced from trusted tanneries in Tuscany—many of which have partnered with the brand for decades. These tanneries are certified by the Leather Working Group (LWG), ensuring that every step of the tanning process is both traceable and environmentally responsible.
The majority of Celine’s bags are crafted from full-grain, top-layer leather, which preserves the natural texture and beauty of the hide. The result? Bags that feel as luxurious as they look—silky to the touch, rich in patina, and designed to age gracefully. This meticulous sourcing and finishing reflect the brand’s uncompromising standard of elegance.
Celine also continues to explore the world of exotic leathers, including crocodile. With its rare texture and nuanced grain, crocodile skin demands master-level craftsmanship. From material selection to final construction, each piece is a study in precision, luxury, and artisanal detail.
The Soul of the Brand: A Heritage of Artisanship
True to its roots, Celine maintains multiple leather ateliers across Tuscany, where more than 400 seasoned artisans continue to uphold haute maroquinerie traditions. Every bag begins as a sketch from a pattern maker and moves into the hands of expert cutters who “read” the leather—carefully analyzing its grain, structure, and resilience to determine which areas are used for each part of the bag.
From there, skilled hands bring the designs to life, shaping each piece into its iconic silhouette through labor-intensive techniques and hand-finishing. The result is more than just a bag—it’s a tactile expression of discipline, patience, and exceptional savoir-faire.
Signature Creations: Icons Born from Craft
The Triomphe Bag
Among Celine’s most iconic designs, the Triomphe is instantly recognizable by its elegant clasp—a subtle nod to Parisian history. Its origin story is as romantic as the city itself: in the 1970s, Céline Vipiana’s car broke down at Place de l’Étoile. As she waited for assistance, she noticed the intricate chain links surrounding the Arc de Triomphe. Inspired, she sought permission to reinterpret the design, which eventually became Celine’s now-famous double “C” emblem.
When Hedi Slimane joined the maison as Creative Director in 2018, he resurrected this forgotten archive symbol and reimagined it as the centerpiece of a new classic: the Triomphe bag.
The clasp itself is a feat of engineering—crafted from two mirrored parts engraved with “Celine” and “Paris,” then precisely mounted using reversed stitching and mold construction to achieve both durability and symmetry.
The 16 Bag
The 16—another house icon—was the first bag Hedi Slimane designed upon joining Celine. Named after the brand’s historic headquarters at 16 Rue Vivienne in Paris, the bag channels the essence of Parisian sophistication. Its design draws on the elegance of how real Parisians carry their bags—understated, functional, and impeccably stylish.
Crafted from the finest leather, the 16 features a 1960s-inspired piped leather edge technique, enhancing both its beauty and resilience. Every detail—from its strong stitched seams to its unique serial number—speaks to the bag’s singular identity and craftsmanship legacy.
Whether it’s the understated grandeur of the Triomphe or the tailored poise of the 16, Celine’s leather goods are more than accessories. They’re heirlooms in the making—quietly luxurious, rich with history, and alive with the spirit of the artisans who craft them.