Though Celine’s menswear line is a relatively recent addition to the storied French house, Michael Rider is already making it unmistakably his own. Taking over where Hedi Slimane left off, Rider presented his first solo menswear collection at the maison’s Paris headquarters, transforming the historic space into a subdued showcase of contemporary wardrobe essentials.

The presentation abandoned the conventional runway format in favour of a more intimate experience. Garments were displayed on wall-mounted pegs, echoing a kind of boutique presentation, while piles of jeans and sweaters rose toward the ceiling, inviting viewers to explore their texture, colour, and proportion up close. Shoes – ranging from flat sneakers to loafers and lace-up ballet flats – spiralled across the floor, a playful and casual contrast to the sharp, heeled boots of the Slimane era.

Outerwear was a key focus for the collection, from belted leather trenches to structured blazers with gold buttons, and vintage-inspired bombers. And recalling the designer's debut collection for the House, shirts in shades of French blue were paired with silk ties, while velvet trousers and jeans featured nods to the House archives via delicate appliqués.

In the accompanying show notes, Rider explained his design philosophy: clothing should feel essential, comfortable, and enduring, with character that doesn’t rely on excess.  "We feel that CELINE is a place to come and get dressed, for all sorts of days and nights and moments in life. Inviting everyone to find the best pieces and then to appropriate them into their lives, their rhythms, their style," he wrote. In other words, it’s about wardrobe staples that carry meaning, rather than statements worn for spectacle.

With this collection, Rider continues to refine Celine’s menswear identity: classic, understated, and above all wearable, yet charged with personality. Every detail signals a house that honours its past while confidently stepping into the present.