It was an appointment heard around the world. In early 2018, Celine announced that powerhouse designer and Saint Laurent alum Hedi Slimane would take over Creative and Art Direction for the Luxury French House. Much to the dismay of Philophiles, it was immediately apparent that change was afoot.
In true Slimane form, he quickly removed the accent from C(é)line and introduced a new logo inspired by the brand’s original typeface from the 1960s. Immediately, Slimane distinguished his design aesthetic from that of his predecessor, and shortly after that, his first bag debuted on the arm of Lady Gaga.
Revered for his distinct vision, Slimane has transformed Celine over the last seven years. Simultaneously redefining the brand’s heritage codes while fusing Celine’s DNA with iconic Parisian femininity and a hint of Hedi Slimane edge, the Maison saw incredible growth during Slimane’s tenure. Today, we mark the end of an era by looking back at some of Hedi Slimane’s most important bag designs for Celine.
Celine 16
A longtime friend and supporter of Hedi Slimane, Lady Gaga was the first person to wear the Celine 16 Bag, Slimane’s first bag for the Maison. Named after the Maison’s Paris HQ, located at 16 Rue Vivienne, the bag’s debut made it abundantly clear that the codes of Phoebe Philo’s Celine were to be replaced with something new.
That something was distinctly Slimane yet inherently Celine. Sleek and undeniably ladylike, the top-handle bag offered fans a first look at the Maison’s new direction, and looking back, its distinctly feminine codes and elegant, clean lines were the perfect foreshadowing for what was to come.
The 16 remains one of the brand’s most important signifiers under Slimane’s reign. The collection expanded to include multiple sizes of the original bag, shoulder bag options, soft versions, and more. Each design in the 16 family bears the classic 16-turn lock.
Celine Triomphe Bag
Few motifs are as integral to Celine and Hedi Slimane’s time at the Maison as the iconic Triomphe logo. The story of the logo, which represents double links forming two Cs, of course, is inspired by the Arc de Triomphe, dating back to Celine’s early days.
While the motif had not been used in some time, one of Slimane’s biggest (and earliest) decisions was to bring back the storied logo. Given a revamp, the Triomphe logo was reimagined by the then-new creative director, first appearing at the brand’s Spring 2019 show, marking Slimane’s runway debut.
The bold logo was introduced as the finishing touch to a classic Celine silhouette: the boxed bag. The Celine Triomphe Bag was born, quickly becoming a new House icon. The mainline Triomphe line was further expanded upon with the addition of teen sizes, a shoulder bag version, wallet-on-chains, and more.
Celine Ava Bag
One of the major markers of Slimane-era Celine is the designer’s youthful, casual-meets-cool (with a hint of chic) aesthetic. His vision has, in large part, helped to redefine the Celine girl. His early collections were unfussy and undeniably fresh—full of wearable but elevated pieces designed to ooze a youthful feel with a Parisian edge.
Introduced in 2020, the Celine Ava Bag was the true embodiment of that vision. While it first debuted in Triomphe Canvas, it was also later introduced in calfskin, only after it-girl Kaia Gerber had received a custom version of the bag in brown leather. The relaxed, grab-and-go Ava Bag was, naturally, a hit.
Reimagined in new colors and fabrications seasonally and later introduced with the Triomphe Logo, the Ava Bag remains a cornerstone design for the Maison. It is also one of the most popular designs on the resale market, retaining nearly 100% of its value.
Celine Cuir Triomphe
Integral to Hedi Slimane’s Celine, the Cuir Triomphe is a modern take on a classic—combining Celine’s history with a quiet appeal. After reviving the logo early in his tenure, Slimane further amplified the Triomphe’s importance by introducing the Cuir Triomphe line in 2022.
Celine’s brand DNA has always been rooted in its leather goods, and the introduction of Cuir Triomphe not only helped revive one of the brand’s most important emblems but also offered fans a more understated take than Slimane’s prior designs.
While the line originally offered a range of crossbody bags, the Cuir Triomphe collection was eventually expanded upon. Appearing either etched onto the bag itself or as a laser cutout, the (typically monochromatic) Cuir Triomphe bags became a go-to choice for those craving an understated appeal.
Even though the Celine 16 never became popular I absolutely love it and can’t wait to pick up the mini size ❤️
Let’s not forget the large Celine 16 bag, worn here by The Morning Show’s Alex Levy in Season 3 Episode 5!