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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who arranged a job for Chanel at a shop?

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

3. What made Chanel different from the other girls at the novitiate?

4. After hats, what did Chanel turn her attention to designing?

5. What did Chanel design to sell at Biarritz?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How did Chanel use her friends to find commercial success?

4. How did late eighteenth-century photographs of Chanel already exhibit her unique style?

5. What was different about what Chanel wore to the racetrack?

6. What effect did the First World War have on women's fashion?

7. What garment, common today, was conceived by Chanel?

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

9. Describe Emilienne d'Alecon.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the author of the book, Edmonde Charles-Roux. Is she qualified to tell this story? Why or why not? What was her relationship with Coco Chanel? Does she appear to have a biased view of Chanel? What is her background?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the rivalry between Chanel and Schiaparelli. Why were they in competition? How did the press handle the rivalry? What does Cubism and Surrealism have to do with their rivalry? Who won the competition?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the significant romantic relationships in Chanel's life. Describe the men in her life. How did she feel about them? Why did the relationships end? Why did Chanel never marry? Who did she claim was the one true love in her life? How did these men impact her life?

(see the answer keys)

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