OLD CÉLINE AS A PERSONAL HISTORY
by Katerina Chekan
May 2026
May 2026
Veronika Korenblum is an Old Céline collector, the author of the Rare Copy newsletter, and someone for whom fashion has long been more than a visual interest. Over time, it became a way of making sense of the world and defining her own frame of reference.
Her path began far from the fashion industry. She studied aerospace engineering and spent several years working in the field. At the same time, there was always another thread running alongside it: Phoebe Philo’s archives, hours spent browsing resale platforms, and a growing curiosity about the stories that clothing can hold.
Today, Veronika lives in Lisbon, where she collects Old Céline, contemporary art, and design objects. Her relationship with clothing has gradually moved beyond the idea of consumption and into something closer to collecting, researching, and living with objects over time.
In this conversation, we talk about collecting as a form of identity, the line between an archive and everyday life, fashion as a cultural language, and what happens when even the things we love most begin to ask for a new perspective.
IG: @veronika.korenblum
Her path began far from the fashion industry. She studied aerospace engineering and spent several years working in the field. At the same time, there was always another thread running alongside it: Phoebe Philo’s archives, hours spent browsing resale platforms, and a growing curiosity about the stories that clothing can hold.
Today, Veronika lives in Lisbon, where she collects Old Céline, contemporary art, and design objects. Her relationship with clothing has gradually moved beyond the idea of consumption and into something closer to collecting, researching, and living with objects over time.
In this conversation, we talk about collecting as a form of identity, the line between an archive and everyday life, fashion as a cultural language, and what happens when even the things we love most begin to ask for a new perspective.
IG: @veronika.korenblum
YOU HAVE A RATHER UNUSUAL JOURNEY — FROM THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY TO COLLECTING OLD CÉLINE. HOW DID FASHION FIRST COME INTO YOUR LIFE?
As a child, I was obsessed with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. I collected DVDs of their films, printed out every article about them from American magazines, paparazzi photos, and glued everything into notebooks.
Through them, I started learning about fashion. Back in 2006, they were carrying Balenciaga bags and shoes — I dreamed about those platform ankle boots — vintage Fendi bags, Alexander McQueen skull scarves, Yves Saint Laurent Tribute sandals. So I would say they were my very first fashion influence.
And actually, they still are. Sometimes I’m surprised I don’t collect The Row, considering I’ve known about the brand since it launched in 2006, when they started with those perfect T-shirts.
The aerospace industry was also a big influence from a very young age because both of my parents worked in that field. Later, I graduated from an Aerospace University and spent around seven years working in the industry myself. Fashion was always there at the same time, taking up a huge part of my life alongside it.
As a child, I was obsessed with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. I collected DVDs of their films, printed out every article about them from American magazines, paparazzi photos, and glued everything into notebooks.
Through them, I started learning about fashion. Back in 2006, they were carrying Balenciaga bags and shoes — I dreamed about those platform ankle boots — vintage Fendi bags, Alexander McQueen skull scarves, Yves Saint Laurent Tribute sandals. So I would say they were my very first fashion influence.
And actually, they still are. Sometimes I’m surprised I don’t collect The Row, considering I’ve known about the brand since it launched in 2006, when they started with those perfect T-shirts.
The aerospace industry was also a big influence from a very young age because both of my parents worked in that field. Later, I graduated from an Aerospace University and spent around seven years working in the industry myself. Fashion was always there at the same time, taking up a huge part of my life alongside it.
HOW DID YOU FIRST DISCOVER OLD CÉLINE? WHAT WAS IT THAT DREW YOU IN?
I remember seeing Phoebe’s first collection for Céline in 2010 and being shocked that something so simple could be so beautiful.
I saved every image from that collection. At the time, Céline wasn’t really on anyone’s radar yet, and I had no idea who Phoebe Philo was. Something just clicked. I wanted to look exactly like that.
Streetstyle was starting to become a thing, and I remember seeing more and more photos of the Luggage bag. I had a real obsession with it. I dreamed about that bag.
In 2012, I finally managed to buy one. I used the money my grandmother gave me after I finished my second year at university and found it on eBay. It arrived from Miami, and I spent an entire day just looking at it. I couldn’t believe it was mine.
It was my first designer piece, my first Céline piece, and it really feels like everything started from there.
Fun fact: Mary-Kate had exactly the same one — the black version in two different leathers.
I remember seeing Phoebe’s first collection for Céline in 2010 and being shocked that something so simple could be so beautiful.
I saved every image from that collection. At the time, Céline wasn’t really on anyone’s radar yet, and I had no idea who Phoebe Philo was. Something just clicked. I wanted to look exactly like that.
Streetstyle was starting to become a thing, and I remember seeing more and more photos of the Luggage bag. I had a real obsession with it. I dreamed about that bag.
In 2012, I finally managed to buy one. I used the money my grandmother gave me after I finished my second year at university and found it on eBay. It arrived from Miami, and I spent an entire day just looking at it. I couldn’t believe it was mine.
It was my first designer piece, my first Céline piece, and it really feels like everything started from there.
Fun fact: Mary-Kate had exactly the same one — the black version in two different leathers.
STYLE CHANGES AS WE CHANGE. DO YOU FEEL THAT, AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, YOU’RE STILL ALIGNED WITH THE AESTHETIC OF OLD CÉLINE?
Yes, absolutely. I think Phoebe Philo shaped my taste, and that’s something that will stay with me forever. I’ve gone through different phases with Old Céline — from buying a bag once a year to finding something on Vinted almost every week. For the last few years, I hardly bought anything from other brands. At the same time, I can see now that sometimes I bought things not because they reflected who I was at that moment, but simply because they were Céline. Like it always happens, there were pieces I connected with less. For me, that was bright prints, strong colours, more feminine silhouettes. But that was important too. It helped me come back to the beginning. Not necessarily to minimalism, but definitely to a quieter version of Old Céline. What’s interesting is that I didn’t really realise it at the time. It was the launch of Phoebe Philo’s own brand that made it very clear to me.
“Old Céline” already contain a lot: taste, visual culture, attention to contemporary art, architecture, design, interiors.
HAVE YOU EVER FELT THAT A SINGLE BRAND STARTS TO LIMIT YOU? OR ON THE CONTRARY — THAT LIMITATIONS HELP YOU UNDERSTAND YOURSELF MORE DEEPLY?
I’m currently writing a new newsletter about the fact that I no longer want to call myself an Old Céline collector.
At some point, I realised that I had created very strict boundaries for myself, and it became difficult to express myself within them. You can read the article here.
I’m currently writing a new newsletter about the fact that I no longer want to call myself an Old Céline collector.
At some point, I realised that I had created very strict boundaries for myself, and it became difficult to express myself within them. You can read the article here.
HOW NATURAL IS IT FOR YOU TO STAY FOCUSED ON ONE SPECIFIC PERIOD OF A BRAND? DO YOU EVER CONSCIOUSLY HAVE TO REFRAIN FROM OTHER PURCHASES?
I think it was a conscious choice in favour of Céline, rather than a rejection of other brands. Old Céline became a huge part of my identity. It gave me a sense of belonging, a community where association with a brand actually meant something.
And the two words “Old Céline” already contain a lot: taste, visual culture, attention to contemporary art, architecture, design, interiors. It’s a kind of code that doesn’t need to be explained.
I think it was a conscious choice in favour of Céline, rather than a rejection of other brands. Old Céline became a huge part of my identity. It gave me a sense of belonging, a community where association with a brand actually meant something.
And the two words “Old Céline” already contain a lot: taste, visual culture, attention to contemporary art, architecture, design, interiors. It’s a kind of code that doesn’t need to be explained.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT TRENDS? IS IT DIFFICULT TO STAY CURRENT WHEN YOU COLLECT PIECES THAT ARE ALMOST VINTAGE?
It has been difficult at times. You can definitely look modern in Old Céline. But having 200+ pieces, I often felt like I had nothing to wear. And Old Céline is quite dressed-up and self-sufficient — it’s not always easy to layer or mix. But things became easier once I started buying new pieces from Phoebe, and the new Céline is also very inspiring in terms of references and styling. I really enjoy seeing how these three “Céline” eras now echo each other.
HAVE RELOCATIONS AND DIFFERENT COUNTRIES INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU DRESS? OR IS CLOTHING MORE CONNECTED TO YOUR INNER STATE THAN YOUR ENVIRONMENT?
100%. I’ve been living in Lisbon for three years now, and our ideas of style don’t really align. I often feel overdressed and start adjusting myself to the city. Maybe that’s why I’ve been gravitating more toward Phoebe’s “uniform” lately, rather than the more dressed-up Old Céline.
HAVE RELOCATIONS AND DIFFERENT COUNTRIES INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU DRESS? OR IS CLOTHING MORE CONNECTED TO YOUR INNER STATE THAN YOUR ENVIRONMENT?
100%. I’ve been living in Lisbon for three years now, and our ideas of style don’t really align. I often feel overdressed and start adjusting myself to the city. Maybe that’s why I’ve been gravitating more toward Phoebe’s “uniform” lately, rather than the more dressed-up Old Céline.
WHAT SHOULD SOMEONE UNDERSTAND WHEN THEY ARE JUST STARTING TO COLLECT CLOTHES?
I think the most important thing is to separate what you collect from what you actually wear in daily life. Ideally, you should have two separate budgets for that.
I think the most important thing is to separate what you collect from what you actually wear in daily life. Ideally, you should have two separate budgets for that.
WHAT DOES YOUR COLLECTING PROCESS LOOK LIKE? IS IT MORE EMOTION, HUNTING, RESEARCH, OR ALREADY A SYSTEM?
It’s both hunting and a very natural part of my daily life. I know all the collections very well — it takes me a second to recognise what a piece is, what value it has, and to authenticate it. To find good pieces at reasonable prices — and I’ll say it upfront, my average price on Vinted is around 100€ — you need to constantly monitor resale platforms. Ideally every minute. So in a way, it’s also a job.
It’s both hunting and a very natural part of my daily life. I know all the collections very well — it takes me a second to recognise what a piece is, what value it has, and to authenticate it. To find good pieces at reasonable prices — and I’ll say it upfront, my average price on Vinted is around 100€ — you need to constantly monitor resale platforms. Ideally every minute. So in a way, it’s also a job.
I know all the collections very well — it takes me a second to recognise what a piece is, what value it has, and to authenticate it.
DO YOU ONLY OWN PIECES YOU ACTUALLY WEAR? OR ARE THERE ITEMS YOU TREAT MORE LIKE ARCHIVAL OBJECTS?
These questions caught me in a moment of rethinking both my collection and collecting itself. I also collect contemporary art, and comparing these two practices made me realise that I want to wear all the clothes I own.
Right now I’m trying to sell what no longer resonates and create a living collection.
Of course, there are always pieces that become more like objects — but I don’t want to part with them. I almost never wear heels, but I like looking at them. I only wear dresses for special trips a couple of times a year. Rain boots I treat almost like art objects. But there are also things that don’t fit into either category, and I want to replace them with pieces I actually wear — whether that’s Old Céline, Phoebe Philo, or Céline by Michael Rider.
A couple of months ago, I bought a pair of brown Phoebe Philo trousers from my friend Beatrice, from the first drop. I have many other trousers, but I wear these almost every day. In moments like that, I really notice the difference between how a piece feels on me, and how it exists in my wardrobe as an object.
Right now I’m trying to sell what no longer resonates and create a living collection.
Of course, there are always pieces that become more like objects — but I don’t want to part with them. I almost never wear heels, but I like looking at them. I only wear dresses for special trips a couple of times a year. Rain boots I treat almost like art objects. But there are also things that don’t fit into either category, and I want to replace them with pieces I actually wear — whether that’s Old Céline, Phoebe Philo, or Céline by Michael Rider.
A couple of months ago, I bought a pair of brown Phoebe Philo trousers from my friend Beatrice, from the first drop. I have many other trousers, but I wear these almost every day. In moments like that, I really notice the difference between how a piece feels on me, and how it exists in my wardrobe as an object.
ARE THERE PIECES YOU SEARCHED FOR FOR A PARTICULARLY LONG TIME? AND WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE ITEMS IN YOUR COLLECTION — AND WHY THOSE?
There’s a funny story about a dress with an Yves Klein print that I didn’t buy — that’s actually what I started my newsletter with. One day it will be mine!
One of my favourite pieces is a lace dress from summer 2016 that I found on Vinted for just 150€ (the average price is around 2000€). It didn’t have a zipper, and there were small holes in the lace. Everything was easy to repair — I even used the original zipper from another top I no longer wore. And interestingly, Phoebe Philo reissued something very similar last summer.
There’s a funny story about a dress with an Yves Klein print that I didn’t buy — that’s actually what I started my newsletter with. One day it will be mine!
One of my favourite pieces is a lace dress from summer 2016 that I found on Vinted for just 150€ (the average price is around 2000€). It didn’t have a zipper, and there were small holes in the lace. Everything was easy to repair — I even used the original zipper from another top I no longer wore. And interestingly, Phoebe Philo reissued something very similar last summer.
Yves Klein Dress
Céline Spring 2017
Céline Spring 2017
HOW MUCH OF YOUR EXPERIENCE IS RESALE? HOW OFTEN DO YOU CHECK PLATFORMS?
Very often. There are a lot of competitors, and pieces sell within seconds :)
Very often. There are a lot of competitors, and pieces sell within seconds :)
HOW DO YOU CHOOSE PIECES ONLINE? WHAT DO YOU LOOK AT FIRST?
I immediately recognise what the piece is and which collection it belongs to. Then I evaluate the balance between price, value, and relevance. Recently I’ve also added wearability — I try not to buy things I won’t actually wear, even if the price is very good.
If there are label photos and the condition is clear, I don’t need much more.
I immediately recognise what the piece is and which collection it belongs to. Then I evaluate the balance between price, value, and relevance. Recently I’ve also added wearability — I try not to buy things I won’t actually wear, even if the price is very good.
If there are label photos and the condition is clear, I don’t need much more.
DO YOU ALWAYS BUY YOUR EXACT SIZE, OR DO YOU COMPROMISE FOR RARE FINDS?
I never buy smaller than my size. But I often buy larger pieces — and it usually works. I rarely alter anything.
I never buy smaller than my size. But I often buy larger pieces — and it usually works. I rarely alter anything.
HOW HAS THE OLD CÉLINE MARKET CHANGED OVER THE YEARS? DO YOU FEEL THERE ARE MORE COLLECTORS NOW?
I regret not having had more financial freedom between 2017 and 2022 — I think that was the best period in terms of prices. After Phoebe left, prices and value went up, but not as much as after the launch of Phoebe Philo’s own brand.
And since she now reworks similar ideas, there’s a strong renewed hype. There are definitely more collectors now, but the community is still very nice!
ON MANY PHOTOS YOU WEAR GLASSES. IT FEELS LIKE PART OF YOUR VISUAL LANGUAGE. WHAT DO THEY MEAN TO YOU?
Interesting observation — I hadn’t thought about it. I just really love all my glasses, and I have sensitive eyes, so I never leave the house without them. Right now I only wear Phoebe Philo glasses — I have three pairs. They add a sense of modernity to every look.
And since she now reworks similar ideas, there’s a strong renewed hype. There are definitely more collectors now, but the community is still very nice!
ON MANY PHOTOS YOU WEAR GLASSES. IT FEELS LIKE PART OF YOUR VISUAL LANGUAGE. WHAT DO THEY MEAN TO YOU?
Interesting observation — I hadn’t thought about it. I just really love all my glasses, and I have sensitive eyes, so I never leave the house without them. Right now I only wear Phoebe Philo glasses — I have three pairs. They add a sense of modernity to every look.
BESIDES OLD CÉLINE ARCHIVES, DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING ELSE? DOES YOUR AESTHETIC EXTEND INTO INTERIORS, OBJECTS, ART?
It’s very important for me to be surrounded by beautiful things. I can’t live without it. We’ve moved with furniture, art, dishes — it’s hard for me to let go of objects I love. Sometimes it feels like everything I have is a collection.
I love mid-century and Scandinavian design, and I gradually keep adding furniture and objects to my home. I collect magazines (The Gentlewoman, Apartamento), records, books, and more.
AND THE FINAL QUESTION I ASK ALL MY GUESTS: WHAT 3–5 ADJECTIVES DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE? OR WHAT MESSAGE DOES YOUR OUTFIT COMMUNICATE?
The hardest question! Probably something like intellectual minimalism, restraint, but also the ability to laugh at yourself and at fashion in general.
The hardest question! Probably something like intellectual minimalism, restraint, but also the ability to laugh at yourself and at fashion in general.
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