Lobster Dress

500 word analysis. ‘Lobster dress.’

My initial reaction after only observing the photograph was an elegant woman lost in her own time in a forest.  Looking at the photograph as a whole, I was completely drawn away from Wallis Simpson and the fashion aspects and my focus lay on the surroundings. I found them too overpowering and distracting, when the main focal point was the lobster. It wasn’t until I read the article I noticed the lobster as it is lost amongst the overwhelming scenery. The lighting and the dress colour all merge into one another with the background making it quite boring to look at and not stand out. Although, the colours and style of dress go hand in hand and give off a feel of tranquillity and harmony.

I believe the nature of this image was a professional portrait and was prepared as it looks very staged and thought out.  Why would Wallis Simpson be wearing that dress in that environment? I think the image is trying to make a statement, by Wallis wearing a classic, dignified dress with the addition of the lobster makes It very controversial in that period of time. The fact that she is holding sticks instead of flowers or something more suitable to the look of the dress make it look more primal and fits in with the controversy of the lobster. I think Wallis was rebelling towards the media and the royal family because of the situation with Edward VIII abdicating from the throne to marry her. Even her body language is giving the impression that she has no care for what the public or anyone else thinks about her. No eye contact and head turned away from the camera comes across very dismissive.

The piece is made for the Public to see Wallis in a new light. She was referred to as ‘Her Grace’ instead of ‘Her royal highness’ to try to remove her from any links to the royal family. This may be why she is rebelling in this photograph and being portrayed as what some people might view as inappropriate due to the positioning of the lobster; and for someone of royal status it would not be deemed correct attire.

The make-up and fashion choices for Wallis Simpson in the image are very strong. Even though she is all dressed up, she is stood acting like she doesn’t care. Being so heavily made up and still not trying to be the focus of the photograph is her way of getting people’s attention. Effortlessly she is stating that she is a strong woman. There is no clear spotlight on her as lots of other aspects of the photograph take away attention. By Wallis wearing Elsa Schiaparelli and Salvador Dali dresses two of the most eccentric fashion designers of their time, she is making statement just with that.

If the photograph was cropped the original could have changed people’s interpretations and how she has been portrayed. For instance, there could be someone else there and she could have been looking at him/her. This would have given a completely different outlook on Wallis Simpson and the photograph.