Celine’s exotic-skin bags scale new heights in luxury

WHEN it comes to handbags, pieces made with exotic leathers are the pinnacle of luxury.

It’s not just their rarity that makes such pieces so sought-after. Far more than just a pretty accessory, exotic-skin bags often hold an indescribable draw.

For one, they’re unique, with patterns differing from hide to hide – so no two pieces are ever the same. They’re also incredibly difficult to craft, with hours of expert handwork needed to produce a single bag.

Still, it’s easy to get lost in a market that has grown with increasing demand. As more brands release their interpretations with each passing season, one might struggle to find a piece that retains the emotional qualities of rare leathers.

Enter Celine, with its range of exotic-skin bags. Beyond simply transposing its classic styles in rare leathers such as crocodile and lizard, the house has chosen to celebrate the one-of-a-kind characteristics of each hide, creating a timeless fusion that is more than the sum of its parts.

Sleek and symmetrical

The Small 16 bag in Varanus Salvator lizard leather (S$13,000), seen below in black, exemplifies Celine’s philosophy towards exotic skins.

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Supple and lightweight while still being durable, lizard skin is a great way to incorporate exotic skins into one’s everyday wardrobe. Its scales are also smaller than the hides from its larger reptilian counterparts, making it suitable for those seeking a subtler-looking piece.

The lizard leather’s small scales are complemented brilliantly by the Small 16’s shape. To preserve the symmetry of its grain, every hide is hand-cut by one of Celine’s artisans, so each panel lines up with the others.

Sleek gold hardware strikes a firm contrast against the leather, providing interest while still allowing the hide’s best attributes to shine through.

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Celine also uses crocodile leather. The material is known among craftsmen as being a challenge to sew; a skilled and well-trained hand is needed to navigate its scaled texture and ensure straight stitches. To maintain the highest level of quality for its crocodile-leather products, the house has created a dedicated atelier in Italy to produce the pieces.

The hides of Niloticus – a freshwater species from Africa – often feature larger scales than the other popular species, the Porosus, making them a charming accompaniment to the Teen Triomphe, seen above in azure Niloticus leather (S$39,200).

Here, again, the bag’s shape highlights the leather’s hallmarks – the way its crisp grain is symmetrically laid along the bag’s midline adds a special touch to its otherwise minimal lines. At the same time, the hide’s rectangular scales against the similarly shaped bag inject a playful modernity into the piece.

Show up and show out

Of course, one can’t simply gloss over that eye-catching sheen. A signature of Celine’s leather pieces, the shiny finish is achieved with a natural wax that is ironed onto each hide. This adds not only to the visual allure of the finished bag, but also its longevity.

The level of shine isn’t arbitrary, either. Creative director Hedi Slimane and his studio determine the texture desired for each piece before the hides are processed and cut.

Celine has also produced a version of the Teen Triomphe in lizard leather (S$11,500) in its natural hues.

There is a great marriage between material and form in this Teen Triomphe. The bag’s clean lines provide a foil to the hide’s natural gradient, while the white middle perfectly frames the house’s signature Triomphe closure.

Toning up

Unique colourways are by now part of Celine’s core identity; the house has over the years introduced bags in a variety of tones to suit every taste and occasion. This extends to its exotic-skin pieces, including the Triomphe Shoulder Bag, seen below rendered in green lizard leather (S$9,700).

One of Slimane’s first creations for Celine after joining the brand in 2018, the Triomphe has become a fast favourite among fashion lovers for its sleek design and unique inverted-C closure. The various iterations introduced since the original Classique, in addition to their playful colourways, have built a repertoire that has come to define Slimane’s stint at the house.

The Triomphe Shoulder Bag’s petite silhouette – measuring 20.5 cm by 11.5 cm – forms an elegant combination with the lizard leather’s small scales in this piece. The smoky emerald hue, meanwhile, lends itself to a variety of contexts, making the bag a great transition piece from day to evening.