---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Today, Chanel sells nothing other than…"
description: "\"“Today, Chanel sells nothing other than its griffe; the griffe is an absolute symbol for 'fashion' which, having become historical, is now able to sell..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/381/barbara-vinken-222176_chanel_today-chanel-sells-nothing-other-than-it_2526710.jpg"
---

#  Today, Chanel sells nothing other than its griffe; the…

![“Today, Chanel sells nothing other than its griffe; the griffe is an absolute symbol for 'fashion' which, having become historical, is now able to sell this history better than it could sell fashion. Chanel's lasting success proves that fashion has become self-referential: the fetish of the mere…” quote by Barbara Vinken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/381/barbara-vinken-222176_chanel_today-chanel-sells-nothing-other-than-it_2526710.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/381/barbara-vinken-222176_chanel_today-chanel-sells-nothing-other-than-it_2526710.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/381/barbara-vinken-222176_chanel_today-chanel-sells-nothing-other-than-it_2526710.jpg)

> ““Today, Chanel sells nothing other than its griffe; the griffe is an absolute symbol for 'fashion' which, having become historical, is now able to sell this history better than it could sell fashion. Chanel's lasting success proves that fashion has become self-referential: the fetish of the mere name shows how it has begun to revolve around itself. The House of Chanel produces what Coco most abhorred: a thing of the past, dead. The visible, outwardly displayed griffe has become the opposite of individualized style: instead it confirms the latent uniform collectivity, which had always defined Chanel-wear; in the end, it signifies membership of an expensive club. The Chanel woman does not want to display her own taste, she wants to belong. In order to be certain, she is laden with Chanel signs and accessories, like amulets to protect against the evil eye; on the pocket, on the belt, on the dress buttons, on the watch, on costume jewelry, proudly stand the initials of the founder of the house, to which she knows she belongs.””

[Barbara Vinken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-vinken/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Chanel’s brand becomes a symbol of status, turning fashion into a self‑referential club.

**In simple terms:** Fashion signals belonging.

Key Takeaway

Recognize brand influence on identity.

Themes

fashion branding status culture identity consumerism social signaling

Mood

analytical critical observational

Type

Chanel:1 Deconstruction:0 Destruction:0 Evil eye:0 Fashion:1 History:0 Taste:0 Chanel Produces:0 House Chanel:0 Chanel Signs:0 Fashion Chanel:0 Chanel Sells:0

When to use this quote

- marketing analysis
- cultural critique
- personal style decisions

Key Concepts

symbolism historical context psychology of desire

Questions to Reflect On

- How does brand loyalty shape self‑image?
- Is fashion a genuine art or status tool?

A Different Perspective

Brand reliance may limit personal expression.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Chanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chanel/) [Chanel Produces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chanel-produces-1304244/) [Chanel Sells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chanel-sells-1304248/) [Chanel Signs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chanel-signs-1304246/) [Deconstruction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deconstruction/) [Destruction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destruction/) [Evil eye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil-eye/) [Fashion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fashion/) [Fashion Chanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fashion-chanel-1304247/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [House Chanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/house-chanel-1304245/) [Taste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taste/)

## Related quotes

> [My grandmother used to really love fashion, and she always had Chanel No. 5 on her dressing table, and Chanel bags. That's when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poppy-delevingne/my-grandmother-used-to-really-love-fashion-and-she-always-had-chanel/)

[Poppy Delevingne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poppy-delevingne/)

> [I recently discovered that Karl Lagerfeld sketches every single design in the Chanel collections. This made me so happy. I know it seems obvious,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dawn-o-porter/i-recently-discovered-that-karl-lagerfeld-sketches-every-single/)

[Dawn O'Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dawn-o-porter/)

> [Sure, I'd like to be like the House of Chanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-galliano/sure-i-d-like-to-be-like-the-house-of-chanel/)

[John Galliano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-galliano/)

> [I love Chanel. Chanel, Chanel, Chanel, Chanel!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-goreski/i-love-chanel-chanel-chanel-chanel-chanel/)

[Brad Goreski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-goreski/)

> [You can watch Chanel fashion shows and watch the news. Fortunately you don't have to choose. I always vote, I go to rallies, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maiwenn/you-can-watch-chanel-fashion-shows-and-watch-the-news-fortunately-you/)

[Maiwenn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maiwenn/)

> [I've been inspired by Coco Chanel. She broke all the rules of her time when she was designing. She pretty much revolutionized the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-chiquet/i-ve-been-inspired-by-coco-chanel-she-broke-all-the-rules-of-her-time/)

[Maureen Chiquet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-chiquet/)

> [I have to be more modest now that I'm a mama, but I loved those days when I could really wear what I wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-netrebko/i-have-to-be-more-modest-now-that-i-m-a-mama-but-i-loved-those-days/)

[Anna Netrebko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-netrebko/)

> [I'm influenced a lot by Chanel and by what Karl Lagerfeld has done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-jebbia/i-m-influenced-a-lot-by-chanel-and-by-what-karl-lagerfeld-has-done/)

[James Jebbia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-jebbia/)

> [I remember the feeling of a tweed Chanel jacket because my mom used to wear one to work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/astrid-berges-frisbey/i-remember-the-feeling-of-a-tweed-chanel-jacket-because-my-mom-used/)

[Astrid Berges-Frisbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/astrid-berges-frisbey/)

> [I love wearing Aqua de Gioia by Armani, and Chanel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devon-windsor/i-love-wearing-aqua-de-gioia-by-armani-and-chanel/)

[Devon Windsor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devon-windsor/)

> [I'm a London girl, so I grew up on Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood... Dior, Chanel, the usual suspects.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-dormer/i-m-a-london-girl-so-i-grew-up-on-alexander-mcqueen-and-vivienne/)

[Natalie Dormer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-dormer/)

> [“In a meat-eating world, wearing leather for shoes and even clothes, the discussion of fur is childish.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-lagerfeld/in-a-meat-eating-world-wearing-leather-for-shoes-and-even-clothes-the/)

[Karl Lagerfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-lagerfeld/)

> [I have always been attracted to clothes designed by women. Coco Chanel, Vionnet, Norma Kamali, Donna Karan. They have a little more - how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-von-furstenberg/i-have-always-been-attracted-to-clothes-designed-by-women-coco-chanel/)

[Diane von Furstenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-von-furstenberg/)

> [“Which would you rather have––an unlimited supply of Chanel No. 5, or freedom?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-wein/which-would-you-rather-have-an-unlimited-supply-of-chanel-no-5-or/)

[Elizabeth Wein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-wein/)

> [Various different people have inspired me throughout my career. From Francis Bacon to Vassareli, Coco Chanel to Christian Dior, Cecil Beaton, musicians, architects... the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dries-van-noten/various-different-people-have-inspired-me-throughout-my-career-from/)

[Dries van Noten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dries-van-noten/)

## More Chanel quotes

> [Various different people have inspired me throughout my career. From Francis Bacon to Vassareli, Coco Chanel to Christian Dior, Cecil Beaton, musicians, architects... the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dries-van-noten/various-different-people-have-inspired-me-throughout-my-career-from/)

[Dries van Noten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dries-van-noten/)

> [“Which would you rather have––an unlimited supply of Chanel No. 5, or freedom?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-wein/which-would-you-rather-have-an-unlimited-supply-of-chanel-no-5-or/)

[Elizabeth Wein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-wein/)

> [I have always been attracted to clothes designed by women. Coco Chanel, Vionnet, Norma Kamali, Donna Karan. They have a little more - how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-von-furstenberg/i-have-always-been-attracted-to-clothes-designed-by-women-coco-chanel/)

[Diane von Furstenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-von-furstenberg/)

> [“In a meat-eating world, wearing leather for shoes and even clothes, the discussion of fur is childish.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-lagerfeld/in-a-meat-eating-world-wearing-leather-for-shoes-and-even-clothes-the/)

[Karl Lagerfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-lagerfeld/)

> [I'm a London girl, so I grew up on Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood... Dior, Chanel, the usual suspects.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-dormer/i-m-a-london-girl-so-i-grew-up-on-alexander-mcqueen-and-vivienne/)

[Natalie Dormer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-dormer/)

> [I love wearing Aqua de Gioia by Armani, and Chanel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devon-windsor/i-love-wearing-aqua-de-gioia-by-armani-and-chanel/)

[Devon Windsor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devon-windsor/)

> [I remember the feeling of a tweed Chanel jacket because my mom used to wear one to work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/astrid-berges-frisbey/i-remember-the-feeling-of-a-tweed-chanel-jacket-because-my-mom-used/)

[Astrid Berges-Frisbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/astrid-berges-frisbey/)

> [I'm influenced a lot by Chanel and by what Karl Lagerfeld has done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-jebbia/i-m-influenced-a-lot-by-chanel-and-by-what-karl-lagerfeld-has-done/)

[James Jebbia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-jebbia/)

> [I have to be more modest now that I'm a mama, but I loved those days when I could really wear what I wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-netrebko/i-have-to-be-more-modest-now-that-i-m-a-mama-but-i-loved-those-days/)

[Anna Netrebko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-netrebko/)

> [I've been inspired by Coco Chanel. She broke all the rules of her time when she was designing. She pretty much revolutionized the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-chiquet/i-ve-been-inspired-by-coco-chanel-she-broke-all-the-rules-of-her-time/)

[Maureen Chiquet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-chiquet/)

> [You can watch Chanel fashion shows and watch the news. Fortunately you don't have to choose. I always vote, I go to rallies, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maiwenn/you-can-watch-chanel-fashion-shows-and-watch-the-news-fortunately-you/)

[Maiwenn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maiwenn/)

> [I love Chanel. Chanel, Chanel, Chanel, Chanel!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-goreski/i-love-chanel-chanel-chanel-chanel-chanel/)

[Brad Goreski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-goreski/)

> [My favourite designer is Mulberry - their bags are lovely, but their clothes are amazing, I don't think people realise. I love D&G, Fendi,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pixie-lott/my-favourite-designer-is-mulberry-their-bags-are-lovely-but-their/)

[Pixie Lott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pixie-lott/)

> [The first Chanel jacket that I saw - that I knew was Chanel - was on TV. It was on Mrs. Kennedy - the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carine-roitfeld/the-first-chanel-jacket-that-i-saw-that-i-knew-was-chanel-was-on-tv/)

[Carine Roitfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carine-roitfeld/)

> [I love Chanel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-momsen/i-love-chanel/)

[Taylor Momsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-momsen/)

[Browse all 54 Chanel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chanel/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Today, Chanel sells nothing other than its griffe; the griffe is an absolute symbol for 'fashion' which, having become historical, is now able to sell this history better than it could sell fashion. Chanel's lasting success proves that fashion has become self-referential: the fetish of the mere name shows how it has begun to revolve around itself. The House of Chanel produces what Coco most abhorred: a thing of the past, dead. The visible, outwardly displayed griffe has become the opposite of individualized style: instead it confirms the latent uniform collectivity, which had always defined Chanel-wear; in the end, it signifies membership of an expensive club. The Chanel woman does not want to display her own taste, she wants to belong. In order to be certain, she is laden with Chanel signs and accessories, like amulets to protect against the evil eye; on the pocket, on the belt, on the dress buttons, on the watch, on costume jewelry, proudly stand the initials of the founder of the house, to which she knows she belongs.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Barbara Vinken"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-vinken/today-chanel-sells-nothing-other-than-its-griffe-the-griffe-is-an/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Chanel"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-vinken/today-chanel-sells-nothing-other-than-its-griffe-the-griffe-is-an/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/381/barbara-vinken-222176_chanel_today-chanel-sells-nothing-other-than-it_2526710.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/381/barbara-vinken-222176_chanel_today-chanel-sells-nothing-other-than-it_2526710.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/381/barbara-vinken-222176_chanel_today-chanel-sells-nothing-other-than-it_2526710.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Today, Chanel sells nothing other than its griffe; the griffe is an absolute symbol for 'fashion' which…” — Barbara Vinken",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Barbara Vinken",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-vinken/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Today, Chanel sells nothing other than...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-vinken/today-chanel-sells-nothing-other-than-its-griffe-the-griffe-is-an/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-vinken/today-chanel-sells-nothing-other-than-its-griffe-the-griffe-is-an/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```