The Most Iconic and Sought-After Celine Bags
From Phoebe Philo's iconic Phantom to the cult-classic Box bag.
With the launch of Phoebe Philo's eponymous brand in 2023 also came a renewed interest in her tenure as creative director at Celine (or Céline as it was known at the time). During her nine years at the helm of the French fashion label, she created the blueprint for many of the modern quiet luxury brands we know today. Celine's best bags became minimalist status symbols, beloved for their practicality and sleek design. Silhouettes like the Trapeze and Phantom, which debuted under Philo's tenure, continue to be best-selling designer handbags on resale sites and pop up regularly in #OOTD posts on Instagram and TikTok, a testament to their timelessness.
In the years since Philo's departure, designer Hedi Slimane held the reins from 2018 to 2023 and evolved the brand's arsenal of iconic bag silhouettes by focusing on simple, modern shapes built on Philo's legacy while honing in on the French fashion house's roots. Signatures from the Slimane era include the Triomphe motif, a vintage Celine logo reimagined for today, and an entirely new set of highly coveted handbags, including the crescent-shaped Ava you now see on Kaia Gerber every other day.
Cut to 2025, when current creative director Michael Rider joined the storied brand. Only two collections in, and Rider is being lauded for his reverence for "Old Céline" staples, specifically a reissued larger version of Philo's cult-classic Luggage rendered with a playful zipper smile.
Despite the differences that naturally emerge depending on their designers, the most iconic Celine bags always possess the same aesthetic throughline: "Celine handbags feature a combination of clean lines, understated elegance, and timeless design that establishes them as pieces that will stand the test of time," says Elizabeth Layne, Chief Marketing Officer of Rebag. "What further distinguishes them is their impeccable quality in materials and craftsmanship; with proper care, a Celine bag will last through the years."
Whether you're planning to invest in a current style or eyeing an option from the early aughts, here you'll find Marie Claire's picks for the seven best Celine bags that you'll still be carrying a decade or two from now.
The Best Celine Bags at a Glance
The Ava Bag
The half-moon-shaped Ava silhouette has been around since 2020, and you may have seen the popular bag sported by celebs like Kaia Gerber. Relaunched as part of the Fall 2023 collection, a new updated Ava Triomphe features the oversized retro logo hardware for a bold flourish. The Ava is available in classic leather and a canvas stamped with the now iconic Triomphe design, a low-key logo bag with a bit of ‘90s flair. Brand new, prices for the Ava range from $990 for the mini size to $2,750 for the medium.
The Triomphe Bag
First launched in 2018, the minimalist leather Triomphe bag has quickly become a highly coveted style of the Slimane era. According to Layne, the Triomphe is among Rebag’s most-searched bags from Celine. The crossbody flap bag is square and features a large gold Triomphe clasp inspired by the signature logo of the ‘70s. It’s an everyday bag big enough for the necessities and more that speaks to celebrities across the aesthetic spectrum, from Angelina Jolie to Doja Cat.
The Phantom Bag
The Celine Phantom and Luggage bags were two related shapes that debuted under Philo, known for their signature "smile" zip detail and top handles. The Phantom is the larger of the two styles, first debuted in 2011, and was inspired by Celine's luggage in the 1970s. Like the Trapeze, the Phantom is among Celine's more creative bag options, with tri-color and multi-material designs debuting throughout the bag's history.
The Phantom has yet to see an exact modern reissue, but considering Michael Rider revived the Luggage on the brand's Spring 2026 runway, there's a chance the staple bag of "Old Céline" will break out of the archives in our near future. In the meantime, Celine sells new editions of the East-West New Luggage and the Cabas Luggage tote as similar sister styles.
The Trapeze Bag
First created by Phoebe Philo in 2010, the Trapeze bag features some of Celine’s most iconic details, like the luggage wings that allow the bag to expand for extra space and a simple flap clasp. The style comes in small, medium, and large colors, including bold two-tone combinations in leather, suede, or pony hair. The Trapeze was discontinued in 2017 but remains a popular yet more affordable style on resale sites.
The Box Bag
Another top-searched style on Rebag, the Box bag is a beloved silhouette from the Philo era with a square shape and minimal hardware. It was first launched in 2011 and was discontinued in early 2023, but it remains a popular choice among those looking for something simple for casual everyday use. The spacious design is compact, but it can accommodate plenty in its multiple compartments thanks to an accordion-style design.
The Croque Bag
Simple, sleek, and timeless. The Croque bag, released in 2023, is a minimal leather shoulder bag that’s the perfect size for toting your essentials out on the town. This narrow style features an adjustable one-inch-wide strap, making it easy to tuck under your arm. Plus, the addition of a top zipper means your wallet and keys will stay protected even if you are making big moves on the dance floor.
Celine Belt Bag
For shoppers searching for an understated luxury bag, Celine’s Belt Bag might fly under the radar for those not already clued into the brand’s breadth of designs. First debuted as part of the Spring 2015 collection, it’s a minimalist day bag designed to hold everything you’d need for the workday. It’s intended to be carried using a top handle but also has a removable crossbody strap, which is handy for commuters. Currently, the bag starts at $2,450 and is offered in three sizes: micro, mini, and nano (contrary to its name, none are particularly teeny — ranging in width from 8 to 11 inches).
