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Which one is the superior brand, Celine or Dior? Read on to find out
Celine and Dior are both luxury brands owned by Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH). Since they’re owned by the largest luxury group in the world, you can be assured of their high quality.
In this article, we’ll compare both brands in terms of price, exclusivity, resale value, quality, and brand style and aesthetic.
This will help you choose which brand is better(for you).But first, let’s take a look at each brand’s history.
History: Celine vs Dior
The History of Celine
Celine was founded by Celine Vipiana and her husband in 1945. The brand back then is nothing you see today. It started as a children’s shoe boutique with a red elephant logo.
A decade later, she introduced ready-to-wear clothes for women. Her goal was to provide simple clothes to the everyday woman.
In 1964, Celine found huge success with a fragrance launch. This fragrance was popular because it included some of the best notes, such as jasmine, rose, and galbanum.
In 1966, she introduced leather accessories such as belts, bags, and gloves. By 1970, Celine had gone international with boutique stores worldwide.
In 1987, Bernard Arnault, the CEO of LVMH, saw Celine’s potential. He bought the capital, as well as its 89 stores.
Vipiana remained Celine’s creative designer up until her demise in 1997. Michael Kors succeeded her up until 2004. After Michael Kors, the feature of Celine was uncertain, and the public somehow lost interest in the brand.
However, the brand made a comeback in 2008, with Phoebe Philo as creative director. Her designs were simple and elegant, made for the modern woman, just like Celine.
She created some of the most iconic bag collections, including the Celine Luggage, the Classic box, and the Trapeze, among others.
In 2018, she resigned, and in 2019 Hedi Slimane succeeded her. Hedi has rebranded the Celine brand, including introducing a men’s collection.
As difficult as it is to accept Hedi’s changes, they may be necessary for Celine’s survival in this day and age.
The History of Dior
Christian Dior established Dior on December 16, 1946. There wasn’t any collection released until three months later, in February 1947.
The “New Look” collection was the first. It faced a lot of resentment. People thought that Dior used so much fabric to make the dresses. However, with time, people warmed up to the pieces and liked them.
Unfortunately, in 1957, Christian Dior died. In 1958, Yves Saint Laurent became the artistic director, and his designs were loved by many. When he saw that people liked his work, he decided to be more experimental. However, this didn’t go well for him, as he pissed people off with his collection in 1960 and was let go.
Marc Bohan then became the creative head. His style was conservative. He kept the Dior label at the top of fashion while producing excellent pieces.
In 1989, Gianfranco Ferre took over, followed by Hedi Sliman. During Hedi’s reign, Dior became a menswear powerhouse.
In 2007, Hedi was replaced by Kris Van Assche, followed by Raf Simons.
In 2016, it was announced that Maria Grazie Chiuri would become Dior’s first female Artistic Director. In 2017, she released her first spring/summer collection. She has since created several notable pieces and accessories.
Winner : Heritage
When it comes to history, we can see that both brands have a rich history. Indeed, there is only 1 year between their founding dates, with Celine being slightly older (launched in 1945). They are both French brands with a strong but feminine aesthetic.
We cannot choose a winner in this department since their history and heritage is so similar.
Differences Between Celine and Dior
Even though these two luxury brands are synonymous with style and status, several distinguishing factors make one brand preferable.
Price – Celine or Dior?
Check out this article for a full overview of Celine’s prices. In general Celine bags retail between $1,100 to $4,000 – if we exclude exotic skin options, which of course cost more. On average, you can buy a nice Celine bag with $2.5-3k.
Dior bags are more expensive than Celine. The prices for their leather bags start at $2,650 USD for the Micro Bobby and goes up to $6,500 for the Large Lady Dior. On average, you’d need around $4-5k to buy a Dior bag.
One could say that Celine and Dior brands are on two different levels of luxury. Celine is in the premium core, whereas Dior is in the super premium.
If price is a concern, then Celine wins this round as it has more ‘affordable’ handbags.
Exclusivity – Which brand is more exclusive?
Since they are both luxury brands, both Celine and Dior are considered exclusive.
Dior’s prices are generally higher, so one can argue that their bags are more exclusive. However, Celine bags are way more underrated, a real IYKYK brand. There also seem to be less counterfeited Celine bags, which can make them appear more exclusive.
On the other hand, Dior has a certain aura around it – especially the Lady Dior, which was named after Princess Diana. So, we have to say that this round goes to Dior – as being the more exclusive brand.
Resale Value – Does Celine or Dior keep their value?
Unfortunately, neither of these brands are great at keeping their value. If you’re worried about resale value and still want to invest in either brands, we recommend that you stick with the classics: Lady Dior for Dior and Celine Box for Celine.
For the resale value, Celine is the winner. Not because the resale value is great, but because at least you didn’t pay as much in the first place.
Quality – which brand has better quality?
Both brands are manufactured in Europe by skilled artisans. However, Dior quality is out of this world – check the video below to see how a Lady Dior is made.
That’s not to say that Celine is bad quality, is just that Dior’s quality is exceptional, better than Chanel’s in my opinion.
Brand Style and Aesthetics
Celine has a very cool-girl-aesthetic. Cool and effortless, mostly without visible branding. Therefore, if you’re a minimalistic person who likes trendy and versatile styles, Celine is your go-to brand.
Celine is also great for anyone that likes simple, structured, fuss-free bags without big logos. For example if you have a conservative job you might choose a Celine bag that will simply blend in.
Dior pieces are not your everyday look. Their fabrics are uniquely handcrafted, and designs are creatively made to produce sophisticated and modern-ready-to-wear pieces. When someone wears Dior, it screams elegance, exquisiteness, femininity, and extra-ness.
There cannot be winner in this department as it depends on your personal style and lifestyle. You can, of course wear both brands for different occasions.
Most Popular Celine Items
Celine Luggage Tote Bag
This is one of Phoebe Philo’s best creations. Launched in 2010, it was definitely an IT bag circa 2015. The Luggage comes in 3 sizes: Nano, Micro and Mini and it’s still a great bag in 2023! The prices range from $2,700 – $3,350 USD and you can save approximately 35% by buying the Luggage in Europe.
The Classic Box Bag
This is another piece from Phoebe Philo’s 2011 collection. Have you noticed how popular her items are?
The classic Box bag comes in a variety of colors. It has a refined feminine design and a brass clip made of leather. It also features a detachable and adjustable strap.
The Box comes in two sizes: Teen & Medium and costs between $3,400 – $3,950 for the calfskin version.
Most Popular Dior Items
Lady Dior
A bag that doesn’t need an introduction – the Lady Dior is one of the most recognizable bag designs in the luxury world. The bag is extremely feminine and classic looking. The Lady Dior comes in 6 sizes: from the Micro to the Large. The prices start at $3,800 for the smallest up to $6,500 for the largest.
Read our full Lady Dior Guide here
Dior Book Tote Bag
A bag that inspired many copies over the last few years, the Dior Book Tote is the perfect summer bag. Take it with you to the beach or pool and rest assured that it will fit your essentials and more. The prices start at $3,350 for the Medium and $3,500 for the Large.
Which Brand is Better? Celine vs Dior
The truth is both these brands are worth it for different reasons. The difference comes in your choice of style and personality.
If you like clean, simple, and minimal luxurious pieces, go for Celine. However, if you like extra, exquisite, and fancy items, Dior should be on your top search list.
Related
As an enthusiast deeply entrenched in the world of luxury fashion, particularly in the realm of Celine and Dior, I bring to you not just a surface-level understanding but a comprehensive knowledge of the nuances that distinguish these iconic brands. My expertise spans the historical evolution, design philosophy, pricing structures, exclusivity, resale value, quality, and the unique brand styles and aesthetics of both Celine and Dior.
Let's begin with the historical context, a crucial element in understanding the essence of these brands.
History: Celine vs Dior
The History of Celine:
Celine, founded in 1945 by Celine Vipiana and her husband, originated as a children's shoe boutique. Over the years, it evolved into a global brand with a focus on ready-to-wear clothing and accessories. The brand's journey includes significant milestones such as the successful fragrance launch in 1964 and international expansion by 1970. Celine went through various phases under different creative directors, experiencing a resurgence in 2008 with Phoebe Philo's minimalist and elegant designs.
The History of Dior:
Christian Dior established the eponymous brand in 1946, gaining recognition with the groundbreaking "New Look" collection in 1947. The brand witnessed changes in creative direction over the years, with designers like Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferre, and others leaving their mark. Dior became a menswear powerhouse during Hedi Slimane's tenure in 2007. In 2016, Maria Grazie Chiuri became Dior's first female Artistic Director.
Winner: Heritage In terms of history and heritage, both brands boast a rich and parallel narrative. With only a year between their founding dates, Celine (1945) and Dior (1946) share a similar French origin, each contributing to the world of fashion with a strong yet feminine aesthetic. No clear winner emerges in this department due to the striking similarities in their historical trajectories.
Differences Between Celine and Dior
Price – Celine or Dior?
In the realm of pricing, Celine offers a more accessible range, with bags typically retailing between $1,100 to $4,000. Dior, on the other hand, positions itself in the super-premium category, with leather bags starting at $2,650 and going up to $6,500. Celine takes the lead in affordability, making it the preferred choice for those with budget considerations.
Exclusivity – Which brand is more exclusive?
Both Celine and Dior are considered exclusive luxury brands. Dior's higher price points contribute to an elevated perception of exclusivity. However, Celine, often underrated and less counterfeited, maintains a distinct allure. The nod for sheer exclusivity goes to Dior, especially with iconic pieces like the Lady Dior, named after Princess Diana.
Resale Value – Does Celine or Dior keep their value?
Neither brand excels in retaining resale value, but Celine emerges as the winner in this category. Opting for classic pieces like the Lady Dior for Dior or the Celine Box for Celine improves the chances of a more favorable resale outcome.
Quality – Which brand has better quality?
Both brands uphold high standards of quality, crafted in Europe by skilled artisans. Dior, however, is renowned for exceptional quality, often surpassing even Chanel in the eyes of enthusiasts. A notable testament is the meticulous craftsmanship showcased in the making of a Lady Dior bag.
Brand Style and Aesthetics
Celine:
Celine embodies a cool-girl aesthetic, characterized by simplicity, minimalism, and versatility. With a focus on trendy and understated styles, Celine appeals to those who appreciate fuss-free bags without overt logos. It is the go-to brand for individuals seeking a clean and modern aesthetic.
Dior:
Dior, in contrast, exudes elegance, exquisiteness, and femininity. The brand's designs are characterized by uniquely handcrafted fabrics, sophisticated detailing, and a modern yet classic sensibility. Wearing Dior signifies a penchant for extra-ness and a bold fashion statement.
Most Popular Items
Celine:
- Celine Luggage Tote Bag (2010): A creation by Phoebe Philo, this iconic bag comes in three sizes and continues to be a fashion statement in 2023.
- Classic Box Bag (2011): Known for its refined feminine design, detachable strap, and versatility, it remains a sought-after piece.
Dior:
- Lady Dior: One of the most recognizable designs in the luxury world, the Lady Dior bag is extremely feminine and classic.
- Dior Book Tote Bag: A summer favorite, known for its spacious design, this bag has inspired numerous imitations.
Which Brand is Better? Celine vs Dior
The ultimate choice between Celine and Dior depends on personal style preferences and lifestyle. If you gravitate towards clean, simple, and minimal luxury, Celine is the brand for you. On the other hand, if you appreciate extra, exquisite, and fancy items that scream elegance, Dior should be your top choice.
In the world of luxury fashion, both Celine and Dior stand as worthy contenders, each offering a distinct allure to a diverse audience. It's not a matter of one being better than the other; rather, it's about finding the brand that resonates with your individual taste and fashion sensibilities.
