When Phoebe Philo’s exit from Céline was announced it sent shockwaves through the fashion community. Philo was known for her dedication to dressing a woman’s body and her designs were chic and fashionable but inclusive at the same time. She was a powerhouse for the brand churning out hit after hit in the form of bags, RTW, shoes and accessories. Though it was no secret that she would be missed, even Philo herself couldn’t have predicted the backlash that was to come from both her exit as well as new creative director Hedi Slimane’s first collection for the brand.
Fans on social media began connecting over a shared sense of loss and the hashtag #oldceline began trending on Instagram. Soon, an Instagram account was created specifically dedicated to celebrating Phoebe Philo’s ten year legacy at Céline called @oldceline—but of course—which soon amassed a following of nearly 200K followers.
Now, the creator behind @oldceline has launched a website with an online store which sells merchandise that commemorates Philo’s tenure at Céline. The shop sells t-shirt’s, scarves and stickers that read ‘Old Céline 2008-2018’ and a label that reads ‘May Cause Strong Feelings of Nostalgia.’ The merch is available at oldceline.com.
I love this and I want one! I think that it might be helpful in the grieving process.
at $175 for a plain white shirt, it’s priced like Old Celine, too. 🙂 🙂 Not saying that I’m not going to buy one!!! #needsit
Any one have some intel on the current state of affairs at Céline? In the Purse Forum someone reported the 16 Bag isn’t selling. But on the website they have it in a ton of colors. What about the other new bags?
It’s a major flop. Some of the models shown were made before they knew of how bad it would be. So they’re kinda just laying around. They also increased the prices of some of the classic pieces. Celine is NOT doing well. Who the hell is gonna pay over $4k for a small 16 bag?
Hi!? I always learn something new from your great comments; so I was wondering why these true designer’s (that work under the Fashion Houses Name)
move around so much? – especially if they are hugely successful & their body of work is beloved by all, & selling out??!
You mean why phoebe “left” Céline? Even though she seemed to be doing well? Lol. Or why they have Clare Waight Keller at Givenchy when she was just fine at Chloé? You have to realize that a lot of these houses are owned by the same people and therefore are very competitive. So if a bigger salary is offered by a rival company, they’ll usually go. Like Hedi leaving YSL for Celine. It was done mostly to attract a “younger crowd” and all it did was betray their current clients. Most companies are refocusing on the younger generation of people. LV with their stupid kitschy stickers all over their bags, Balenciaga with their cat print (blame tumblr) and Gucci with their, well, everything. The whole fashion industry has shifted. Chanel and Hermès (mostly Chanel) are taking advantage of this and raising their prices to be more “exclusive”. Offering more “contemporary” designs for a higher price since everyone is making a fool out of themselves. They’ll simply take advantage. The simple answer is money. Lol. Contracts end. People get bored with things and companies have to keep reinventing themselves. They see that this new generation is all about being different and being weird so they go with that. Seeing as millennials are making money through YouTube and other online places, they see that they’re into buying things and flaunting their “new money” so they’re just catering to a new crowd of people. It sucks for the rest of us fashionably sane people lol.
Yeah, We’re all just too decrepit & old! It ALWAYS will be about the “snowflake” Melinneals, & they are mighty in numbers (as big as the Baby Boomer generation, even!) Thanks for reminding me! Plus, Millineals are fiercely independent & have been spoiled growing up. Then there is the Asian youth, who have known more wealth than any former generation. Apparently, they show off their wealth on Instagram, by logging their new Designer wares & lavish lifestyle. So more “middle-class” Asians want to buy those lux things, too. Can you even imagine cultivating a following based on showing off what you just Boughton on your latest shopping trip? It’s sick!
So I guess, the Design Houses are cashing in, at the cost of their artistic souls & older clientele! I guess we better get used to this. Thanks for explaining how these fashion “houses” work. Pure greed, as usual.
A friend working at Celine HQ in Paris told me the opposite, judging by the numbers, and Asian market… But I’m not convinced yet.
Yeah, everyone online seem to be referring to the asian asian market too. Not sure how much truth it is to that? Or is it just something the top at Celine is spreading here in the west to “save their face”? Maybe they are saying the opposite over there! Hehe.
This reminds me of the drama when MJ left Louis Vuitton (well… he was pushed out!) and the fans were acting like it was the end of the brand etc…. Now no one wants anything to do with Mj.
I like it. $175 though. Will make one myself 😉
On the one hand, I get it. On the other, I think it’s crass. First, Celine as a brand goes back to 1945 with its founder Céline Vipiana. She and her artisans produced outstanding products for decades before Phoebe came to the helm. If you don’t like Phoebe’s successor, fine, that’s your opinion, but there’s a LOT more to “old” Céline…
I’m not sure many people know Celine/Céline was established in the ’40s… I’m sure some Philo’s worshippers think the brand was born about 15 years ago, according to what I read.