Celine Finds Fresh Momentum Under Rider

Celine is seeing renewed demand for accessories under creative director Michael Rider, offering a bright spot for the LVMH-owned fashion house as the wider luxury market continues to contend with more cautious shoppers.

In an interview published on Wednesday, chief executive Séverine Merle described efforts to translate interest in Rider's colourful, relaxed designs into sustained sales. The €2,200 Soft Triomphe Small Half Moon has become Celine's bestselling handbag, while the group has reported double-digit growth in the United States and footwear. Rider joined in 2024 and presented his first collection in July 2025.

Signs of wider consumer interest extend beyond Celine's shops. Searches combining the brand's name with Rider's rose 200% on resale platform Vestiaire Collective between January and September, according to figures reported by Vogue. Searches for Triomphe bags also surged after the spring-summer 2027 show. Merle identified the US, South Korea and Japan as important markets, while acknowledging continued weakness in China.

Rather than pursuing rapid store openings, Celine is concentrating on upgrading its existing network and carefully selected locations. It is also placing weight on shoes, belts, scarves and canvas bags, which offer different ways into a brand whose principal leather goods carry substantial prices. The strategy reflects a problem facing established luxury houses: generating excitement on the runway is valuable only when customers find something they want to purchase. For Celine, the commercial challenge is turning Rider's renewed cultural visibility into lasting demand without sacrificing profitability. Both depend on customers returning once the initial publicity subsides.