The American Creative Director of CELINE, Michael Rider, brings an American-Parisian sensibility to the Hiver 2026 collection. Tracing the House’s evolution from Céline Vipiana’s whimsical spirit and her signature red elephant symbol through the American elegance of Michael Kors, Phoebe Philo’s minimalist French aesthetic and Hedi Slimane’s rugged Parisian edge, Rider unites these distinct chapters into a cohesive collection that celebrates the enduring DNA of CELINE.
“I’ve always loved the idea of clothing that lives on, that becomes a part of the wearer’s life, that may capture a moment in time but also speaks to years and years of gestures and occasions and change, of the past, the present and the future, of memories, of usefulness and of fantasy, of life really,” said Michael Rider to LVMH.
His words speak directly to CELINE’s quality, timelessness and style in this collection. For Hiver 2026, Rider brings the evolution of Celine’s distinctive elements together, keeping its history intact while presenting its DNA as one cohesive picture.
Red Elephant and Arc de Triomphe
Rider reminds us of the heritage of Celine and how Céline Vipiana started the house in 1945 as a luxury children’s shoewear brand in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris. Back then, she used the whimsical red elephant as a logo, designed by Raymond Peynet, for her made-to-measure shoe brand.
Following her encounter with the Arc de Triomphe, Céline and her husband, Richard, expanded the company in the 1950s. They introduced leather loafers and bags before moving into ready-to-wear clothing in the 1960s.
This was also when she began using the Triomphe logo as a tribute to the chains surrounding the monument. First revealed in 1972, it would become one of CELINE’s most recognisable symbols in the fashion world.
American Glamour & Michael Kors
From the red elephant to the horse-and-carriage logo introduced in the 1960s, Céline Vipiana remained at the helm of CELINE until her death in 1988. During this period, CELINE boutiques began opening across the world. In 1987, Bernard Arnault acquired a stake in the brand before CELINE was fully integrated into LVMH in 1996.
This marked the beginning of another chapter for CELINE. In 1997, Michael Kors became the House’s artistic director, bringing his distinctly American approach to the French maison.
Kors brought an effortless glamour to CELINE.
High necklines, clean lines and a crème-de-la-crème sensibility defined his approach to the House. His influence can still be seen throughout Rider’s Hiver 2026 collection through the use of scarves, sunglasses and crocodile leather.
Minimalism and ‘Old Celine’ Cult
Nearly a decade of CELINE under Phoebe Philo elevated the House to an exclusive position within the fashion community. To this day, her minimalist approach sets the bar for Philophiles, with her designs becoming coveted vintage pieces. Her legacy lies in a distinctly French chic aesthetic with an intellectual edge. It was defined by an effortlessly stylish woman carrying the Luggage and Trapeze bags throughout the 2010s.
‘70s Revival by Hedi Slimane
Following Phoebe Philo’s departure, which felt like one of the biggest heartbreaks in the fashion community, in came the rock-star image of Hedi Slimane. The designer, famous for his cigarette pants that reportedly inspired Karl Lagerfeld to lose significant weight to fit into Slimane’s aesthetic, made a rebellious entrance.
From dropping the é in CELINE to wrapping his collections almost entirely in monochrome, Slimane brought the Anglo-American rock scene together with classic French bourgeois codes from the 1960s and 1970s. This brought his androgynous ‘Hedi Girl’ aesthetic to the front rows, with figures such as Kate Moss, Sky Ferreira and BLACKPINK’s Lisa among those associated with his creative circle.
Cheeky Encounter
Having worked with Phoebe Philo for a decade, Rider elevates minimalism with a touch of cheekiness through one of the House’s signature pieces, the New Luggage. Introduced in Printemps 2026, it carries a recognisable attitude through its distinctive Smile Variation detail.
Rider’s take on CELINE’s legacy throughout its history is embedded in the Hiver 2026 collection, bringing together the House’s distinctive signatures for its devoted followers. Now, we have come full circle, with the essential elements of CELINE’s identity brought together once again.
