Am I Falling Out of Love with Celine’s Triomphe?

When Hedi Slimane first revived the Triomphe emblem at Celine, I was immediately drawn to it. As a long-time admirer of Phoebe Philo’s minimalist approach, I was hopeful that the Triomphe would bring a similar sense of quiet luxury, with just a touch more edge. It felt like a sophisticated nod to Celine’s past, something that could evolve into a timeless symbol.

Image courtesy: @bernabilbey

But as Celine introduces a fresh wave of designs for Winter 2024, I’m starting to wonder if my initial enthusiasm was misplaced. The Triomphe emblem is everywhere – from sunglasses to belts, and now new handbag designs like the Nino, Garance, and Terence. Instead of feeling exclusive or quietly luxurious, the emblem seems to be following the path of overexposure, leaving me to wonder – Do I really need another Triomphe-clad piece in my collection? Is it still special, or has it become just another trend?

The Triomphe emblem, dating back to the 1970s, was reintroduced by Hedi Slimane in 2018. This design, inspired by the Arc de Triomphe and crafted by Céline Vipiana, was initially a breath of fresh air in Celine’s modern collections. However, as the emblem now adorns a growing range of products —it’s becoming harder to see it as anything more than a trend-driven choice.

That said, I can’t help but compare the Triomphe to Chanel’s interlocking CCs. Both are double C’s, after all. Just as Slimane revived the Triomphe, in the 1980s Karl Lagerfeld took an older design by Coco Chanel and transformed it into a fashion phenomenon. Yet, while Chanel’s logo has become deeply embedded in the brand’s heritage and is seen somewhat as a fashion investment, perhaps it’s just too early for the Triomphe to be established in the same way.

Image courtesy: @annesophiewencker

On the other hand, Bottega Veneta presents a different narrative. With a motto of, “When your own initials are enough,” Bottega embraces understated elegance over conspicuous branding, particularly under Matthieu Blazy’s direction. This approach contrasts sharply with Celine’s current focus on the Triomphe emblem, reflecting a different interpretation of what defines luxury today.

Image courtesy: @outlandermagazine

Image courtesy: @outlandermagazine

During Phoebe Philo’s tenure, Celine was synonymous with ‘quiet luxury,’ characterized by minimalist designs devoid of flashy logos. The Celine Cabas, for instance, was an elevated leather shopper tote that exuded simplicity and sophistication. However, since Philo’s departure in 2017, Celine’s design direction has shifted. The discontinuation of Philo-era icons and the introduction of the Triomphe emblem mark a departure from the brand’s previous design ethos.

As Celine evolves, so do my preferences. I find myself increasingly drawn to the subtlety of Bottega Veneta and The Row and reaching for my Philo-era Celine pieces more often. The Triomphe emblem, once a symbol of modern elegance, simply feels oversaturated and overexposed.

Image courtesy: @estherjunelife

Whether Celine’s latest lineup of Triomphe-clad designs will become the next ‘it’ bags remains uncertain. For now, the Celine Teen Triomphe remains in my collection but finds itself sitting pretty on a shelf. As rumors swirl about Slimane’s future with Celine (or for that matter, Chanel), will the Triomphe be a legacy or a loss? Only time will tell.

What are your thoughts on the Celine Triomphe? Are you still loving this logo, or are you drawn to more understated designs? Share your thoughts.

Read related articles:

Falling Head Over Heels for ‘New’ Celine – Buying a Celine Triomphe in Paris

Bags Parisians Are Carrying This Spring

Has Quiet Luxury’s Whisper Become a Scream?