My Celine Medium Classic Céline, Saint Laurent, Hedi Slimane, or Phoebe Philo (so, everybody who reads this website, pretty much) has been at least a little bit curious about what Hedi Slimane’s would do with Céline’s ultra-successful handbag line as the brand’s creative director, and now, thanks to Lady Gaga and the paparazzi, we have our first answer to that question. Gaga casually helped Slimane’s Céline make its public debut by carrying the bag to visit the Louvre and have dinner in Paris, paparazzi in tow.
The identification of the bag was first made by French fashion writer Pierre A. M’Pelé on Instagram, and Business of Fashion was then able to confirm the bag’s origins with Tom Erebout, Gaga’s stylist. As BoF notes, Gaga is a longtime friend and supporter of Slimane’s, and she has been the first to debut pieces from his collections several times in the past.
In general, letting a key piece be seen first on a celebrity—instead of on a runway or from an official source with the brand—is a favorite tactic of Slimane’s. He did the same thing with Gwyneth Paltrow and his first-ever Saint Laurent bag in 2012, letting her tote the Classic Duffel through an airport instead of giving it a more formal debut. It’s hard to deny that the tactic works, if its goal is to create chatter and intrigue, as well as anticipation for the line’s full public reveal. (And it is, by all indications.)
As for the bag, it doesn’t have a publicly known name yet, but the pared-down top handle has a more ladylike feel than the accessories Slimane oversaw at Saint Laurent, with spare details and luxurious finishing. If I’m being totally honest, I assumed it was probably yet-to-be-released Valentino when I first saw it, before the bag’s real origins had been made public. It bares little resemblance to the visual accessories language Phoebe Philo developed during her years at Céline—it’s too formal-looking and traditionally luxury for that. It’s likely a surprise to no one, though, that Slimane has decided to take things in a very different direction.
The title of this blog post should be “Hedi Slimane’s First Céline Bag is a Hermès Kelly.”
Better, because you can actually close it instead of having it flopping open because it’s too ridiculous
I was just thinking that. Not very original. I will miss the luxurious laid back quality of Phoebe Philo tenure…
Yup
First thing that popped in my head when I saw this… isn’t he just the master of spinning an Hermes shape into a great success… however this bag doesn’t have the structure of a Kelly, which is why it pulls at the top….
Hahahaha
It looks like it’s a little on the big side to be carried that way, but the lines are impeccable.
Forget the bag – THE LEATHER COAT!!!! Bag is kinda ugly
Vintage Alaia!! Incredible, right?
Oooooooo….!!!! Question: since his passing, has the Alaia lable stopped producing clothing? I saw bags on websites for sale
the Celine Soft 16.
This coat Gaga is wearing is part of their “new” collection as they are going to release archives pieces in each new collection now.
Thank you!!!
Celine C bag Bags!
Ботинки сапожки в стиле селин celine.
Pre-Loved Celine Diamond Clutch Bag
celine classic box shoulder bag in red box leather
The coat is fantastic. The Matrix meets Altered Carbon meets Miranda Priestley. The bag is fine, not great but fine. However, it looks like it would scratch really easily
It’s not the dumpster fire I was expecting. It doesn’t look particularly distinctive, either, though. If I saw it on a person walking past me, I would think, “That’s a nice bag. It looks fairly expensive.” But then I would forget it fifteen minutes later. Also, that coat is AMAZING!
You summed up my exact feelings! This design is indistinct and forgettable…it’s also “safe” rather than a bold misannouncement that I was expecting
“It’s not the dumpster fire I was expecting.”
Celine 45 Bag!!!
Шикарна кашемірова шапка celine.
Beautiful bag! But Celine bags have been so distinctive, instantly brand-recognisable from afar – this bag is not.
Not a bad thing. I don’t want a robot face on my bag.
borsa da viaggio celine vintage in tela cerata bicolore nera e marrone e pelle marrone!
wow … love the bag … i am sure people will spending money on them anyway … as of my knowledge people making funny comments on Sac de jour when it first launch ! look at them now , they selling like hotcakes ^^
Gaga out her promoting her Vegas show and upcoming album while doing a slightly-secret endorsement. Well played, Mother.
celine dion billboard awards performance dress stylist law roach.
It’s beautiful
Strangely enough, I like the bag. What makes it recognizable is it’s size. You don’t see bags of “Kelly” structure that big often. Plus, does it mean the return of big bags? Not just oversized totes but real handbags too?
Who makes the coat?? Is it also Celine? I really like the bag too!
Beautiful. Very Delvaux. I love it. Too big for me personally but love the bag. Glad I waited for his first design instead of getting the nano belt bag.
I have a vintage Delvaux that is so similar to this. I adore it and this new design as well. It’s so understated and luxe. I love this new direction for Celine.
The queen called. She sander her Launer back.
Sarah Jessica Parker wears her SJP Collection Celine pumps outside her New York store.
i like this bag, very Delvaux & understated elegance!
I went to the old article of Hedi Slimane’s first bag carried by Gwyneth Paltrow 6 years ago, people were saying this first bag looked like a Celine and look what’s happening now haha. It’s a good bag for 30 something and above.
If it were half the size and not black, I’d like it.
Celine Slip Dress.
Gotta love Gaga’s commitment. Full length, black leather coat in August whilst in Paris? I. Bow. Down.
Hedi Slimane Hits Back at Critics of Celine's Debut Show.
Celine Belt mini handbag in black grained leather.
Премиум кожаная куртка косуха celine натуральная кожа!
‘Florals? In Spring? Ground-breaking…..’
Celine шерстяной молочный свитер
All the YESes for this bag (and that stunning coat).
Сумка кожаная брендовая пудра celine
The bag is beautiful, but a bit ho-hum. Yes, it’s very luxurious, but haven’t we seen this bag a thousand times already? Under Philo, Celine debuted some amazing bags – trapeze, belt, edge, luggage, big, etc etc. Whether or not you liked them, they were unique to the Celine brand, and ended up creating trends that were copied by other brands (no one was doing that bag wing before the trapeze bag.) I’m curious to see what else comes…this bag would be a pass for me.
Scarpin Royalz Verniz Celine Vermelho !!!!!
Coat , pink stone diamond ring and bag with Gaga – all gorgeous!
Also when people say “this isn’t brand recognizable” uhm yeah it’s a new creative director. You’ve been used to Phoebe Philo for the past 10 years. Look at bags prior to her tenure and let me know if those look “Céline” to you. New creative director, new designs, no?
Here it is again, but with a white ensemble which really shows off the bag:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-6123671/Lady-Gaga-exudes-Hollywood-glamour-white-ensemble-star-studded-Venice-Film-Festival.html