Miss Havisham & Estella / Couture Noire - Craig McDean for W Magazine February 2009

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These two images are taken from Craig McDeans winter campaign for W Magazine back in 2009 where the styling visibly resembles a modern interpretation of a dishevelled bride, such as the character of Miss Havisham. I feel it is useful to look at all interpretations both within TV, film, theatre and the fashion industry as it allows you to create concepts that may not have otherwise been constructed looking from one media concept alone. Although it does not directly state that the styling of these images is connected with that of Miss Havisham however from visual analysis, the connections are apparent. The first image on the left is like that of a modern Miss Havisham with the black veil being more connected the that of a Victorian mourning veil which would have been as worn by Queen Victoria after the death of her husband. The long sheer material is similar to that of the "half arranged veil" worn by Miss Havisham as described in the novel and may be interpreted as a portrayal of how she may have looked in modern day mourning for a life she never had. The second image may be seen as a modern version of the classic Miss Havisham with the white dress, pale hollowed skin and messy hair. Gothic literature has a great impact on the designs of modern fashion and clearly Miss Havisham's character in particular has influenced the portrayals of fashion for many designers. It is interesting therefore how the idea of the dishevelled spinster is considered interesting enough a concept to feature within fashion, although modern the Victorian connections still come through within these images in particular with the hair which resembles the fallen, manic frizzing that may have once been the organised ringlets of Miss Havisham.

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This last image in particular although not visibly relevant to Miss Havisham does create a concept of how figures like Estella may be presented. The dress carries heavy Victorian influences with the ruffled bottom, sheer feminine material and style of trimming on the sleeves in particular. Estella is depicted as a beautiful but cold woman who is a puppet of Miss Havisham's plot to seek revenge on men. The styling of this image is representative of that concept as it is heavily feminine yet youthful, but through the dark material and in particular styling of makeup which features deep set eyes and a dark lip, creates an element in something darker. The use of the hollowed eye may even be seen to connect with the abuse that her character undergoes as a result of her cruel husband. The use of rouged lip would be uncommon however within Victorian society as it was frequently associated with prostitution and actresses, however the extent of Estella's abuse at the hand of her husband is never fully described therefore a concept of portraying Estella as suffering at the hands of forced prostitution could be interpreted.
Obviously these images are for a fashion media base and therefore would not hold up in theatre or film as enough of a realistic connection based on their contemporary nature. However inspiration can still be taken to create our own interpretations of both Miss Havisham and Estella.