It’s not every day you witness the rise of a cult handbag. When Hedi Slimane first teased his rebranding of Celine back in 2018, it was the 16 handbag spotted on the crook of Lady Gaga’s arm that set the tone for his now-signature direction—a soft launch, if you will.
Now updated with a functional twist, Celine has introduced a removable shoulder strap to amp the utilitarian appeal of the 16. Crafted in wool and calfskin, the strap comes in six colourways to match its now-iconic counterpart, complete with gold engraved hardware.
Named after the Parisian address of Celine’s Parisian offices at the Hotel Colbert on 16 Rue Vivienne, it has since garnered the attention of the likes of Hollywood’s A-listers, from Angelina Jolie to Hailey Bieber. Also on the Celine 16 bandwagon? Song Yanfei and Blackpink’s Lisa have both been spotted sporting the bag but in drastically different styles. It might have to do with its versatility—its cropped flap, belted detail and ultra-roomy yet structured shape have the makings of an ideal daytime bag.
The hunt for the perfect handbag is often a Goldilocks dilemma. Too small, and you struggle to choose between the three different lipsticks you just can’t decide on. Too big, and your bits and bobs get lost in the cavernous cave that is your tote bag. Below, we break down the looks of the satchel’s most loyal devotees—from Lisa to Gaga—proving that you can indeed have the best of both worlds.
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Lisa
It’s clear the K-Pop star has her sartorial house rules down pat—look no further than Lisa’s weekend-ready getup for a hit of TGIF outfit inspiration. A cream ribbed knit sweater makes for an elegant pairing when seen alongside tan leather and a sportier shoulder strap. For added interest, accessorise with barely-there jewellery.
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Celine 52cm drop strap in natural/tan, $590
Available at Celine. All straps are sold separately.
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Lady Gaga
Classics are classics for a reason. There’s nothing predictable about pairing a bodycon number with a structured handbag. As a longtime devotee of Slimane, Gaga makes a case for statement dressing. Sturdy arm candy is the cherry on top here—keep everything sleek from head to toe in a slinky midi that hits right below the knee, and pointy pumps to punctuate the look.
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Song Yanfei
Take a cue from Song’s easily emulated workplace-appropriate ensemble by teaming a ruffled white shirt with your trustiest black denim. Opt for the smaller sibling of the 16 and its shoulder strap counterpart to balance the otherwise corporate vibe.
