Did you know that Celine started off as a made-to-measure children’s shoe shop? Don’t worry if you didn’t; it’s one of those facts that very few people know.

In 1945 Celine Vipiana, alongside her husband Richard, opened their very first boutique. Here they offered one-of-a-kind shoes that would very quickly become iconic in their region of France. 

As their success grew, the late 1950s and early 1960s saw the couple’s expansion into women’s footwear, accessories and ready-to-wear sports collections. 

Their brand mission was clear– functional minimalism, a refreshing break in the brash fashion industry of the times.  

In the mid-1960s, they introduced notable fragrances, belts, gloves and perhaps most famously, bags.

As the brand grew, Celine’s focus shifted to the world of high-end collections and understated luxury. 

This new direction was highly popular, and Celine’s product sales sky-rocketed. To keep up with it all, Celine eventually opened a factory in Florence, Italy.