STYLE Edit: Celine’s new Triomphe mini bag gives a fuss-free refresh to a noughties throwback fashion trend

Apr 5 , 2021

Celine’s Triomphe shoulder bag offers a classier take on the early noughties mini shoulder bag trend. Photo: Celine

If the idea of a mini shoulder bag tucked tightly under your arm gives you flashbacks of low-rise jeans and Von Dutch baseball caps, we’re here to tell you two things: one, you’re not alone; and two, the new Celine Triomphe handbag might just pave a path to recovery.

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Currently, the Triomphe shoulder bag comes in three materials: tan natural calfskin, shiny calfskin in black and pastel colours Rose Quartz and Papyrus, and a vintage-effect Triomphe canvas. The stand-out feature – perhaps controversial to a few traumatised Gen Zers – is the short, adjustable leather strap that encourages the wearer to carry it quite snugly under the arm.

The Triomphe shoulder bag from Celine’s women’s spring/summer 2021 collection. Photo: Celine

It’s also pretty mini – a rising trend in 2021 that’s taken over the oversized carry-all bags. The Triomphe shoulder bag measures 20cm by 10cm, while the Teen Triomphe bag, currently available in lizard skin colourways Lilas and Pollen, measures 18cm by 15cm. The base width for both versions is 5cm. Even with limited real estate, the bag features an inner flat pocket to slide in any essentials.

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Hedi Slimane debuted the Triomphe canvas at the start of his tenure at Celine during the autumn/winter 2019 show, reinterpreting the historical motif after uncovering it in the house archives. The Triomphe code is inspired by the chain that wraps around the Arc de Triomphe landmark in Paris, and has been an emblem of Celine’s since the 1970s.

Celine’s spring/summer 2021 collection featured the Triomphe shoulder bag. Photo: Celine

In the Triomphe collection, the Triomphe motif also takes centre stage as a statement gold metallic clasp closure.

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The new Triomphe shoulder bag featured prominently in Slimane’s spring 2021 show, Celine 08, at Stade Louis II in Monaco, where models were styled with the fuss-free regard that typifies the new target Gen Z demographic.

Blackpink’s Lisa with Celine’s Triomphe shoulder bag. Photo: handout

Seen on many celebrities, including Blackpink’s Lisa, the Celine Triomphe shoulder bag adds to the carefree and comfortable overtones of the new young Parisienne – a far cry from the contrived looks of the early noughties, let’s be honest.

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Style Edit

Hedi Slimane debuted the Triomphe canvas – a reinterpretation of the 1970s motif inspired by Paris’ Arc de Triomphe – in the brand’s autumn/winter 2019 show
K-pop idol Lisa from Blackpink and other celebrities are fans of the handbag, which riffs on the mini bag trend while harking back to the 2000s