View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What fashion staple did Chanel introduce in her black period?

2. Where did Balsan allow Chanel to open up a millinery shop?

3. Who did Chanel describe as a nasal-voiced old clown?

4. Who did Chanel select to be the director of design for her new line of jewelry?

5. Who eventually took over Chanel's shop at Biarritz?

Short Essay Questions

1. What inspired Chanel's English period?

2. What fascinated visitors to Chanel's Rue Cambon shop when it first opened?

3. Why was Boy Capel an ideal match for Chanel?

4. What decision was Chanel required to make when she turned eighteen?

5. According to Chanel, what made her successful in designing fashion for society?

6. Explain Chanel's brief involvement with Hollywood.

7. Following her success as a hat designer, on what areas of fashion did Chanel focus her attention?

8. What role did Vogue magazine play when Chanel began mass-producing dresses?

9. How did Chanel benefit from the invasion of France in 1914?

10. What was special about Chanel's work for the 1924 dance operetta, Blue Train?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Chanel as a business woman. How did she choose to run her business? Was she a successful business woman? What are some innovative things she did to improve business? How did her business sense improve overtime?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Chanel's experience as a costumer. In what plays and productions was she involved? Why was she invited to Hollywood and how did that work out?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Chanel's self-imposed exile during and after WWII. Why did she go to Switzerland? What occurred in the fashion world while she was living in Switzerland? What spurred her to return to France?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 832 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample