The house of Celine, under the steerage of Phobe Philo, has quickly garnered a reputation for haute minimalism which is both luxe and wearable, but the new season's collection which hit the runway in Paris on Sunday was actually comprised of a lot more colour and pattern than we were expecting.

Not that this is by any means a complete about-turn in terms of Philo's direction; there were still the clean lines (most noticably in the form of simple tee shapes on the top half and long lined, deep v-slashed evening dresses) but the bolder prints were a fresh inclusion.

Based on that very French archetype - the vintage foulard, they sung out against fresh creamy and white palettes, but there was also the addition of a silk handstitched waistcoat dress and even some denim which added not only texture, but a feeling of craft to the whole collection.

All in all, Spring 2011 for Celine is a softer, less urban; more retro inspired affair

We'd consider this a triumph.

Images via www.style.com