AB: Tell us a little bit about yourself? Born? Raised? From?
GB: My name is Gabrielle Boucinha and I currently live in Toronto. I was born and raised just outside of the city where I've lived most of my life. I have just graduated this Spring with a Bachelor of Design in Fashion Communication from Ryerson University. I have always been interested in fashion editorial (career wise), but in a broader sense, how we can use the massive platform fashion holds to create a positive change towards real world issues. Of course, Phoebe Philo's Céline was a huge inspiration of mine. I can think of no one more progressive, powerful and unique.
AB: What made you love Céline under Philo so much? / Why did you launch "Old Céline" on Instagram?
GB: Phoebe Philo’s decade at Céline has been one of my biggest creative inspirations. It was truly unique and progressive. I think that is what made it so impactful and that is why Phoebe has such a loyal following.
When you do something truly unique, in whatever field you are in, it really allows people to think. Which I think is what Phoebe did at Céline, and not just for those in her field. Phoebe Philo’s work crossed into other areas, politics, design, art, and the news. She reinvented everything and created an iconic house based on the ethos of the modern woman. Strong. Powerful. Confident. Beautiful.
Simply, I created this account so that we could all remember the magic Phoebe gave us. I’ve gotten a lot of messages from women thanking me for this account because it reminds them of specific really happy times in their lives or of how powerful and confident they felt wearing Phoebe’s designs. I think this displays the power that clothing can have, beyond being just clothing. The fact that I can provide a platform that supports that notion is so special to me.
Phoebe Philo turned Céline into an entire lifestyle. Applying “less is more” to every way of living.
I think Phoebe’s Céline represents the power of feeling confident. Of following your vision, whatever it may be, and in whatever industry you happen to hold a career in. This directly mirrors the power of fashion. So many people use fashion as a way to escape. By dressing ourselves in a way that makes us feel confident, we forget all our problems, even if its temporary. In today’s world, with the many crises that we’re all experiencing worldwide in politics and society, I hope this is somewhat of a reminder that we can and must keep following our visions.
