Since 1945, CELINE has been synonymous around the world with quality and luxury. Throughout its history, the company has known how to increase the power of the CELINE name, adapting its style over time and developing a strong and dynamic commercial policy.

At its inception, the CELINE brand first opened as a boutique carrying shoes for children. Immediately the company developed a reputation for creating an exceptional product combining both with flair and comfort.

In 1959, the creation of the Inca loafer adorned with the famous horse-bit, a characteristic of CELINE's designs, marked the initiative of CELINE to expand its clientele to include women. A full line of leather goods and accessories soon followed. During the same period, CELINE began its commercial expansion, increasing the number of retail locations in Paris as well as throughout France.

The turning point for CELINE came in 1969 when it became one of the first luxury brands to launch a ready-to-wear collection and the concept of "chic sportswear" was born. CELINE's leap into ready-to-wear proved to be an enormous success. Two years later, CELINE created the Etoile blouse inspired by the star-shaped roads radiating from the Place de l'Etoile in Paris and the iconic Blason line of printed canvas.

However it was not until 1975 that the company's name made its largest mark. It was in this year that CELINE began inaugurating boutiques abroad: Monte Carlo, Geneva and Hong Kong soon followed by London, New York and Beverly Hills. Five years after these boutiques were in place CELINE's retail sales abroad represented nearly one fourth of total sales, and the presence of CELINE in Southeast Asia increased remarkably during this time period. However, it was the Japanese clientele who clearly stood out as devotees of CELINE style.

In 1987, The Financière Agache, one of Bernard Amault's holding companies, took control of CELINE. This formed part of a crucial strategy to revitalise the brand name with the principal goal of transforming CELINE into a fashion entity capable of satisfying the needs of an increasingly demanding international clientele.

The repositioning of the CELINE brand was achieved by rejuvenating the collections, opening numerous boutiques abroad and on a commercial level, by implementing a policy of strict control over product distribution and by limiting wholesale. The company was able to increase sales performance and enhance product image both on a strategic and economic level.

CELINE's presence at the forefront of the fashion industry was further strengthened in 1995 when it became an official member of the Fèdèration Française de la Couture et du Prêt à Porter des Couturiers et des Crèateurs de mode, holding its first show at the Carousel du Louvre. The following year, CELINE launched its first fragrance, Magic, throughout Europe.

In 1997, Michael Kors was appointed as Chief Ready-to-Wear Designer, the first in the house's history. His first collection for CELINE was unveiled in Paris the following spring, revealing an easy elegance that was to propel the fashion house to a new, innovative level. Kors was named Creative Director of CELINE in February of 1999, with the additional responsibility of overseeing all women's products and image planning. During the same year, new accessories designers were also appointed to renew the leather goods and shoes lines imbuing them with the same spirit of modern luxury.

On February 15th, 1999 Thierry Andretta was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the company.

Today, CELINE, member of the Comitè Colbert, employs 630 people and has 92 wholly owned boutiques and franchises throughout the world.

Shop No.:109

website: www.celine.com