The Celine Luggage Handbag
Creative Director Phoebe Philo joined French fashion house Celine in 2008, breathing new life into the storied brand. Yet, when Celine introduced the Celine Luggage Handbag in 2010, it was far from an overnight sensation, easily available online and at brick-and-mortar retail locations. That all changed a few seasons later.
Celine relaunched the Luggage bag, and suddenly the tote was seen on the arms of celebrities, socialites and even other heavyweight fashion designers. It achieved “It” bag status and quickly became a bestselling item for the luxury brand, flying off shelves faster than ever. This ushered in a new era for the brand and brought the Celine name into the modern age.
Over the years, the Celine Luggage tote has been released in a number of colors, patterns and sizes. Some incarnations have been discontinued and others introduced. As of 2021, the purse can still be purchased new from Celine retailers.
Materials and Craftsmanship of the Celine Luggage Handbag
A timeless classic known for its subtle yet chic appearance, the Celine Luggage tote marries utility and style. The bag’s flat, squared base offers a stable foundation, and its wide side wings allow the bag to expand for maximum storage space.
The Luggage bag sports sleek but sturdy dual shoulder straps, while some of the line’s more compact designs offer an additional long strap for cross-body functionality. The tote is available in a variety of materials, including but not limited to calf leather, crocodile, textile and calf nubuck. Several of the line’s offerings include bicolor and tricolor options, providing a stylish contrast effect, and some Luggage tote versions combine leathers and textiles to create a more dynamic finish. Celine Luggage bags feature a zip closure across the top as well as a framed zippered front pocket.
While the materials are elegant and luxurious, the Celine Luggage design is the epitome of function and form. Unassuming in its simplicity, the Luggage bag’s lack of major embellishments and extraneous details exudes sophistication and style, making the purse a popular mainstay of the Celine brand.
In 2021, Celine continues to retail the Luggage bag in three sizes: Nano, Micro and Mini. Measuring 8 x 8 x 4 inches (length, height and depth), the Celine Luggage Nano is the smallest incarnation of the acclaimed design, ideal for a smart yet functional day bag. Next up is the Micro. At 11 x 11 x 6 inches, this Luggage tote offers more room while remaining reasonably compact. The most spacious version—thus living up to its “luggage” name—is the Celine Luggage Mini, with measurements of 12 x 12 x 7 inches (length, height, depth).
The Celine Luggage Handbag’s Value and Collectibility
The Luggage bag’s enduring utility, clean silhouette and subtle features have made it a longstanding favorite among influencers, collectors and fashion enthusiasts. The tote not only serves as a subtle and sophisticated accessory, but also as a versatile and convenient bag suitable for work, travel and day-to-day use.
Retail prices for the Celine Luggage tote vary based on size and material, with the Nano beginning at $2,100 and the Micro at $2,550 for textile and calfskin versions in 2021. The Mini Luggage handbag, available only in drummed calfskin, lists at $3,100.
Looking for a tri-color bag to round out your collection, or a leopard-print tote to complement your fabulous new shoes? With more than a decade of different patterns, colors and textiles of the Celine Luggage handbag to choose from, the secondary market offers plenty of pre-owned options. In 2021 pre-loved Mini iterations of the Celine Luggage bag fetched, on average, more than $1,900.
With its effortless style and numerous sizes to suit every need, a Celine Luggage handbag (or two) is the perfect addition to any collection as well as a great investment.