Understated pieces are often the most collectible. This edit gathers Phoebe Philo-era Céline Luggage, Yves Saint Laurent's Muse and a few quiet pieces from Balenciaga, Dior, Miu Miu, McQueen and Chanel.
The Fashion Insider's Archive
Phoebe Philo-era Céline Luggage, Yves Saint Laurent Muse and quietly collectible pieces with real design significance
Why Phoebe Philo's Céline is still collectible
Philo's Céline is collectible because it was understated and exact. The Luggage tote, from 2010, in Micro, Nano and Mini sizes shows how she reduced a bag to its form, and the drummed calfskin and bright colors are the details to look for.
Among the eight in this grid, I would look first at the Céline Grey Drummed Calfskin Luggage Micro, the Céline Yellow Leather Luggage Micro and the Céline Brown Coated Canvas Macadam Boston.
See The Pieces That Got Away for more, and The Archive Is Calling for the wider story of creative eras.
Philo's Céline Luggage
Grey Drummed Calfskin Luggage Micro
Céline
$1,495
Yellow Drummed Calfskin Luggage Nano
Céline
$1,450
Yellow Calfskin Leather Luggage Mini
Céline
$1,650
Orange Leather Luggage Nano
Céline
$1,550
Yellow Leather Luggage Micro
Céline
$1,550
Black Leather Muse Large
YSL
$1,650
Brown Coated Canvas Triomphe Vertical Cabas Mini
Céline
$1,515
Brown Coated Canvas Macadam Boston
Céline
$850
Quiet pieces with design significance
Quiet pieces are the ones that look simple until you look closely. Among the eight in this grid, I would look first at the YSL Red Velvet Lou Lou Bag Small, the YSL Brown Linen Rive Gauche Bucket Tote and the Chanel Beige Lambskin Chocolate Bar Handbag.
See The Lost Art of the It Bag for more, and The Fashion History Edit for the broader context.
Quiet pieces with design significance
Red Velvet Lou Lou Bag Small
YSL
$2,350
White Tweed Puffer Lou Lou Toy
YSL
$2,150
Beige Raffia Rive Gauche Tote
YSL
$2,150
White Leather Mombasa
YSL
$2,950
Brown Linen Rive Gauche Bucket Tote
YSL
$1,650
Beige Calfskin Wild Stitch Top Handle Bag
Chanel
$3,375
Beige Leather Chocolate Bar Shoulder Bag
Chanel
$3,450
Beige Lambskin Chocolate Bar Handbag
Chanel
$3,950
What to take from the archive
Take the piece you will carry daily. Quiet design looks best when it is used, and the pieces here were made to be.
Start with a Luggage in a color you love, or a Muse in black, and add from there. A small, considered archive is worth more than a large one, and it is easier to wear. Whatever you pick, read the listing closely and wear it often.
