The 'Lobster Dress’ by Elsa Schiaparelli

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The image of the woman dressed in the lobster dress is an interesting one.  It shows a woman wearing the lobster dress that was painted by Salvador Dali in 1937.  My initial reaction to the dress was that the woman looked sophisticated but lost, as she was wearing a beautiful dress in amongst a load of trees and bushes.  However after looking further into the image and learning that the photograph was taken prior to the models wedding, I now realise that the image represents and shows Wallis Simpson (the model) looking romantic and dreamy in amongst a beautiful garden, shortly before her marriage to Edward VIII.  I think that the image conveys the message that Simpson has found her love and that she is serious about it, although still quite carefree.  This is shown through the surrealism of the lobster print on the front of the skirt of the dress and the fact that she is stood in a garden amongst the leaves and bushes.

I know that the image was taken as a professional portrait at a prepared ceremony in order to show off that Wallis Simpson was about to get marriage to Edward VIII.  The image is a full length body shot but is still a fairly close up shot, as there is not a lot of the garden showing around the model.  Simpson appears in control of the environment, and she stands out clearly against the background, as her dress is very light compared to the dark background of the bushes and leaves that surround her and I think that for this reason the surrounding background is supportive of the image and compliments it well.

The figure of the image appears to be depicted in a way that makes her look mature and established, yet frivolous and not so serious.  This is because the dress is very sophisticated, making the model look respectable and classy, but at the same time the dress has a great lobster painted on the front of the skirt, which gives the not so serious and more surreal feel to the image.  Also, the make-up that has been used is quite simplistic and not so extravagant, which adds to the mature idea behind the image.  I think that Wallis Simpson was made to look this way by Elsa Schiaparelli, because it portrays the idea that she is a mature woman who is about to get married and start a new journey in life, however it shows that she is still quite young, playful and spirited still.

I believe that this image does suggest a fair representation of Simpson’s relationship with Edward VIII.  This is because their relationship held some quite serious concern (due to the fact that Wallis had previously been divorced twice).  Although they were very care free when it came to their relationship, and Edward even resigned from his place at the throne, in order to marry the woman he loved.  The story behind this image seems to reflect the relationship that the pair shared well, due to the fact that whilst it was a cute, romantic love affair, it did have some serious consequences.