Celine

Discover our carefully authenticated selection of vintage Celine pieces: Luggage, Cabas and Classic Box bags, coats and jackets from the Phoebe Philo era, minimalist accessories and rare archive pieces. Every piece is hand-evaluated by our team on avenue Louise and comes with a certificate of authenticity. Because Celine is not just a brand — it is a philosophy of intelligent dressing.

The history of Celine, from children's shoes to absolute minimalism

Founded in 1945 by Céline Vipiana in Paris as a children's shoe shop, the house evolved into leather goods and women's ready-to-wear. Acquired by LVMH in 1996, everything changed in 2008 with the arrival of Phoebe Philo as creative director. Philo invented a new form of luxury: austere, intellectual, deliberately anti-seduction, centred on the woman who dresses for herself. Her aesthetic — clean lines, neutral colours, exceptional materials, architectural cuts — defined "quiet luxury" a decade before the term existed. Her collections (2008–2018) are among the most influential in contemporary fashion history. The "Philo girl" — urban intellectual, committed minimalist — became a genuine cultural figure. After Philo's departure in 2018, Hedi Slimane took over, dropping the accent (Céline became Celine) and imposing an opposing rock vision. In 2023, Phoebe Philo returned with her own eponymous label, confirming her devoted clientele's loyalty.

Iconic Celine pieces

The Luggage bag

Created by Phoebe Philo in 2010, one of the most influential bags of the 21st century. Its face-like form (two side pockets suggesting eyes, a central handle suggesting a nose), rigid construction and exceptional materials make it immediately iconic. Available in sizes Nano, Mini, Small, Medium and Phantom (XXL). Earliest pieces from the 2010–2013 collections are the most sought-after.

The Cabas

Launched in 2009, a structured leather tote with shoulder strap, in smooth or suede leather. Its practicality and discreet elegance made it the preferred work bag of the 2010s. Highly sought-after in tan or beige leather from the first Philo collections.

The Classic Box

A Philo reinterpretation of a 1970s house model: a structured flap clutch in smooth box leather with a fine chain. Stripped to its essence, it embodies Philo minimalism in its purest form. Highly sought-after in black or burgundy box leather.

Phoebe Philo ready-to-wear (2008–2018)

The most collected ready-to-wear on the Celine vintage market. Oversized coats in boiled wool or cashmere, soft leather jackets, wide-leg trousers, thick cashmere sweaters, geometrically cut dresses: each piece is a study in proportions and materials worn by women worldwide.

Philo shoes

Block heels, square-toe mules, thick-heeled pumps — recognisable for their formal architecture and daily practicality. Highly sought-after in common sizes (37–40) secondhand.

Accessories and jewellery

Coloured resin bracelets, geometric earrings, fine necklaces, wide leather belts: accessible and highly collectible pieces that complete a minimalist, timeless Celine wardrobe.

How to authenticate a Celine piece

Authenticating a Celine piece requires the examination of several combined criteria. Here are the 7 checkpoints we systematically verify in our atelier on avenue Louise.

1. The label and typography

"CÉLINE" (with accent) for pre-2018 pieces (Philo era); "CELINE" (without accent) for Slimane pieces (since 2018). The logo typography also differs between the two eras. A bag stamped "CELINE" without accent but with Philo-era characteristics is an anomaly.

2. The serial number

Celine bags carry a serial number on a sewn interior leather tag encoding the model and season. A white authenticity card accompanies each bag sold in boutique since the 2010s.

3. The leather and materials

Celine leather is of exceptional quality: regular grain, natural scent, appropriate suppleness depending on the type (box for the Classic, grained for the Luggage). Philo ready-to-wear materials — boiled wool, thick cashmere — are identifiable by their hand and characteristic drape.

4. The stitching and construction

Stitching is regular, tight and perfectly aligned. The construction has an architectural precision that reflects the rigour of Philo's design. No loose threads, no deformed seams.

5. The hardware

Closures, rivets and rings are in solid metal (gold or silver-toned), engraved "Celine Paris" on the hidden face. The Classic Box chains are fine, light and perfectly linked.

6. The form and proportions

The Luggage's face-like characteristic — two symmetrical side pockets of identical size — must be perfectly reproduced. Any asymmetry or incorrect proportion is a red flag.

7. The interior lining and finishings

The interior is lined in suede or monogrammed fabric depending on the model. The lining is carefully sewn. The label is sewn, never glued.

Our method: at Les Enfants d'Édouard, every piece undergoes a three-stage examination — visual inspection, technical verification (label/typography, serial number, leather, proportions) and cross-referencing against our reference database. Every authenticated piece comes with our certificate of authenticity.

Celine size guide

Celine ready-to-wear: sizing

Celine uses French sizing: 34 (XS), 36 (S), 38 (M), 40 (L), 42 (XL). Philo coats and jackets are deliberately oversized. For fitted pieces (dresses, trousers), the cut is precise and faithful to the label size. Always verify actual measurements secondhand.

Why invest in a vintage Celine piece

Celine Phoebe Philo is the most fashionable vintage market since 2018 among connoisseurs. Since Philo's return with her own label, demand for her Celine era pieces has surged. The Mini Luggage in grained leather now trades at between €1,200 and €2,500 — sometimes above its original retail price. Value rests on exceptional material quality, unique cultural dimension and the growing scarcity of the finest pieces.

For those wishing to sell a Celine piece, we offer an expert consignment service.

Our Celine selection in Brussels, avenue Louise

Our boutique Les Enfants d'Édouard, 175 avenue Louise, 1050 Brussels, carries an authenticated selection of vintage Celine — with a particular focus on Phoebe Philo-era pieces. We welcome you Tuesday to Saturday and offer private appointments.

Care and maintenance of your Celine pieces

For leather bags, store in the original dust bag with tissue paper. Box leather (Classic Box) requires regular conditioning with a cream for smooth leather. Grained leather (Luggage) is more resilient and cleans easily with a slightly damp cloth.

For Philo ready-to-wear, boiled wool and cashmere pieces must be dry-cleaned. Hang coats on wide hangers. Store knitwear folded flat. Use breathable cotton covers with natural moth repellents.

For jewellery, store separately in individual pouches. Avoid contact with perfume and perspiration.

Frequently asked questions about vintage Celine

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Looking for an authentic Celine piece?

Browse our full Celine selection or book an appointment with our team for a private viewing on avenue Louise.

• ✓ Guaranteed authentication: every piece certified
• ✓ Secure delivery: Belgium, France, Europe
• ✓ 14-day returns: satisfaction guaranteed
• ✓ Boutique at 175 Avenue Louise: 1050 Brussels