BRANDED CONTENT
The last shoulder bag you’ll ever need: Why this celebrity-loved handbag will stand the test of time
A masterclass in understated luxury, the Celine Triomphe marries clean lines with Parisian sophistication, explaining why it’s a go-to for A-listers
From airport to street style, the Celine Triomphe adapts effortlessly to its environment, as demonstrated by (from left) actresses Kim Ji-Won, Suzy Bae and Xu Ruo Han.
PHOTOS: CELINE
Follow topic:
More than an accessory, this shoulder bag, launched in 2018, has become an enduring statement of modern sophistication.
With its understated luxury that transcends seasonal trends, the Celine Triomphe
A design sensibility shaped by Paris resonates globally through the Triomphe’s deceptively simple silhouette. Behind its clean lines lies thoughtful functionality – an accordion-like interior that expands for practicality, complemented by an adjustable strap system.
Crafted from exceptional hides selected for their harmony between lustre and character, the bag exemplifies luxury in its finest form.
Its timeless appeal has captured the attention of global style makers, from Hollywood icons Angelina Jolie and Selena Gomez to Korean stars Suzy Bae and Park Ji-Won championing the design – each styling it distinctively, proving the Triomphe’s versatility.
The Celine Triomphe signature clasp is inspired by the ornamental chains encircling Paris’s Arc de Triomphe – their interlinked pattern reimagined as two mirrored Cs.
PHOTO: CELINE
The Triomphe isn’t just a passing trend; it’s a forever piece with its enduring elegance and staying power, making it a must-have for any seeking a suitable bag for everyday life.
The Triomphe story
At the heart of the bag’s allure lies its distinctive gold-finished hardware – a jewel-like clasp that bears the house signatures “Celine” and “Paris” in sophisticated symmetry. This emblem tells a remarkable story of serendipity and heritage.
In 1972, house founder Celine Vipiana’s car broke down near the Arc de Triomphe. While waiting along Place Charles de Gaulle, she found inspiration in the ornamental chains surrounding the monument, translating their intricate links into a coat of arms with two interlocking Cs facing opposite directions.
Decades later, then-creative director Hedi Slimane discovered the 1970s motif in the maison’s archives. He christened it the “Triomphe” and masterfully reimagined it as both decorative element and functional clasp, a subtle nod to luxury that elevates the design without ostentation.
This thoughtful balance of heritage and utility offers elegance without succumbing to obvious logomania.
The story of each Triomphe begins in Celine’s ateliers, where master artisans select only the finest hides that balance luminosity and depth.
PHOTOS: CELINE
Why the Triomphe is a must-have
The Celine Triomphe’s status as an investment piece rests on four pillars that define timeless luxury accessories: exceptional craftsmanship, technical sophistication and versatile functionality.
• Craftsmanship excellence
Master artisans, housed in two specialised Celine ateliers, uphold centuries-old traditions in creating each Triomphe. Their expertise begins with the meticulous selection of hides, choosing only those that possess an exceptional balance of luminosity and depth, a hallmark of Celine’s leather-making legacy.
These skilled hands read each hide like a map, interpreting its unique characteristics to determine precise component placement, ensuring both aesthetic perfection and lasting structure.
The bag’s sophisticated construction, from its accordion silhouette to its thoughtfully engineered gussets and internal compartments, demands the highest level of savoir-faire, showcasing the maison’s technical mastery.
• Technical sophistication
The Triomphe’s gold-finished hardware extends beyond aesthetics. The symmetrical clasp mechanism marries form with function, exemplifying thoughtful luxury.
Architectural details, from the precisely placed quartet of screws to the neo-classical square buckle, reveal a contemporary interpretation of refined craftsmanship, where each element serves both beauty and purpose.
Chic and versatile, the Celine Triomphe can be styled in different ways, as shown by Chinese actresses Li Geng Xi (left) and Qian Sun.
PHOTOS: CELINE
• Versatility and practicality
Engineered for modern life, the Triomphe adapts effortlessly to its owner’s needs with its versatile adjustable strap system, transitioning seamlessly between cross-body and shoulder wear.
This adaptability has made it a constant companion for style icons round the world, each styling it distinctively for countless occasions.
The Classique model, offered in rich black satin calf and natural tan leather, embodies timeless sophistication while promising lasting functionality. Like all fine leather goods, the Triomphe develops a unique patina over time, each mark telling the story of its journey and growing more characterful with each passing year.
Besides the Classique model in calfskin, the Triomphe has seasonal iterations, the latest being this coveted shearling bag which is an Ion Orchard exclusive.
PHOTO: CELINE
Celine opens new Ion store
The newly opened Ion Orchard boutique, a sophisticated 240-sqm space that mirrors Celine’s global architectural signature, offers an exclusive destination to discover your perfect Triomphe.
Natural stone, oak and antique gold mirrors define the new Celine boutique at Ion Orchard, embodying the French house’s global architectural signature. PHOTO: CELINE
PHOTO: CELINE
From natural stone to oak and antique gold mirrors, the new Celine boutique at Ion Orchard captures the French house’s global architecture signature
Among its most coveted offerings are the Ion-exclusive variations: the Triomphe crafted in exotic leather and in plush shearling, available only at this location.
The boutique’s refined atmosphere is enhanced by the Celine Art Project
Get your Triomphe at the new Celine store at #01-04 Ion Orchard.
Brought to you by Celine
