Celine jewelry centered on the brand's Triumph logo-The New York Times

2021-12-08 06:18:37 By : Ms. Lina Jiang

The first of its kind, the last of its kind

Céline Vipiana, the co-founder of the brand, proposed the current iconic logo in 1972, and Hedi Slimane brought it back in its entirety.

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In 1945, French designer Céline Vipiana and her husband Richard opened a boutique specializing in selling customized children's shoes in the 11th arrondissement of Paris. A few years later, they hired cartoonist Raymond Peynet-a French cartoonist known for portraying two young lovers (known as "Les Amoureux")-to draw a unique red elephant logo for the studio. Help promote the early success of the brand. By the 1960s, the brand had expanded into the field of leather accessories, and in 1967 launched its first women's ready-to-wear collection, which included relaxed and elegant items called "fashion sportswear." Then, one day in 1972, while Vipiana was driving around the city, her car broke down in front of the Arc de Triomphe. Stranded along the Charles de Gaulle Square, she noticed the intricate patterns on the wrought iron chains surrounding the monument. The decorative links inspired her to create a new heraldry with two nested Cs facing in opposite directions. The crown decoration later became Celine's now iconic symbol of triumph-and appeared on everything from button-shaped squares and diamond-patterned cardigans to handbags and thick gold chains.

At the beginning of 2018, Hedi Slimane, a 53-year-old French designer, took over as the brand's art, creative and image director. He delved into the brand’s archives, revitalized the forgotten Celine of the Vipiana era, and blended its 70s Parisian bourgeois tradition with his iconic youthfulness: silk scarf, herringbone blazer and tweed The culottes are paired with a casual Gen Z hoodie, brocade military bomber or asymmetrically designed tailored top. This month, Slimane released his new Maillon Triomphe jewelry collection, paying homage to the 1972 logo: made of gold, pavé diamonds, and his tight-fitting gowns, stud earrings, chain bracelets and double chain necklaces are streamlined and polished An adaptation of the original letter combination. Sophisticated, light, and refined, each piece has a little rock, a little left bank element-and it's still as timeless as ever.