What Would Dorian Gray Wear?
I’m a little rusty on Dorian Gray, so forgive any errors up in this piece. It centers on the idea of selling your soul, or exchanging it for something. It’s a common theme, I believe it was first seen in Faust or Faustus. The protagonist sells his soul for a life he thinks would be better. Things go on and he lives a fantastic, pleasure-seeking life and then goes to Hell. Yay, Hell! Of course, this theme is everywhere from Billy Joel to Elizabeth Hurley and to Dorian Gray. In Dorian Gray, the lead trades a normal life for an eternal youth. Through the influence of others he lives a hedonistic life. It must be tough to have tons of sex and be really really ridiculously good looking. Trouble is, as Dorian’s sins mount, his true self is revealed in the portrait. His once handsome image is ravaged by his actions. Slowly, he comes to see that his life is a farce, a farce I say! However, despite his attempts at repenting and redemption, he couldn’t change it back. Frustrated with rage, he stabs the painting, killing himself and restoring the original work. Heavy shit.
1. Wow, I am so damn good looking, everybody thinks so. Like OMG, look at me.
Jacket by Roland Mouret, shirt and scarf by Maison Martin Margiela, pants by Prada, shoes by Acne
2. Hold on, I gotta sit for this portrait yo.
Suit by Dolce & Gabbana, shoes by Paul Smith
3. Stop looking at me, portrait Dorian!
Jacket by Salvatore Ferragamo, sweater by Maison Martin Margiela, pants by Bottega Veneta, shoes by Dries van Noten
MRS. REED, JANE EYRE
Oh, she’s one nasty bitch that Mrs. Reed. As you’ll recall from your high school lit classes, Jane Eyre was Mrs. Reed’s niece and Mr. Reed charged his wife with raising her after his death. Being the god-fearing woman she was, Mrs. Reed obliged. She and her three children tormented poor Jane—throwing books at her, locking her in supposed haunted rooms and basically ruining her life. Eventually Mrs. Reed sent Jane to the Lowood school for some more torture with a religious twist. She was the HBIC of Gateshead and she sucks. When Jane grew older, they made some kind of peace…even after Mrs. Reed told Jane’s only family that she was dead. Good lord.
1. Um, Jane, I hate you.
Coat by Dries Van Noten, dress by Donna Karan, shoes by Bottega Veneta
2. Children, I hate Jane.
Dress by Chloe, coat by Celine, shoes by Fendi
3. I’m on an all carb diet, god Karen you are so stupid.
Coat by Marni, pants by Gucci, shoes by Salvatore Ferragamo
ESTELLA HAVISHAM, GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Following up on the Ms. Havisham post from the days of yore, here is her adopted daughter Estella. I don’t really know what to make of Estella. As a man, I hate her for how she treated Pip and his peers. However, she was raised to torture men and was essentially a pawn in Ms. Havisham’s plot for revenge. You almost have to pity her, she was doomed from the get-go. On a more humorous note, when considering this post I thought she’d have to be everything that The Man Repeller is not. Having been raised to win men’s hearts only to leave their love unrequited is not an easy task. In the words of The Man Repeller this work would require “Man Getter” style clothing.
1. Hello, Pip.
Coat by Marni, dress by Aquilano Rimondi, shoes by Jonathan Saunders
2. Marrying for Money
Dress by Jason Wu
3. Heartbreaker (to the tune of Pat Benatar)
Dress by Bottega Veneta, shoes by Gucci
All images c/o VOGUE UK.
Thank you for the suggestion, Dark Lamb. Have somebody you’d like to see? Let me know.
MISS HAVISHAM, GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Hey look, it’s everybody’s favorite spinster! Yesterday I finally looked at the Prabal Gurung fall 2011 collection and read it was inspired by Miss Havisham. For me, the inspiration rang true, lots of romantic cuts and a little bit of drama…very Dickensian and Havishamian. For those of you who haven’t read this book in your high school curriculum, allow me to enlighten you. Miss Havisham is a middle aged woman who grew up wealthy and when she was younger, she was left at the altar by the man she loved. That man was only after her fortune. Oh no, drama. After learning this news, she goes bonkers and freezes her life at the moment she found out—clocks stopped, wedding dress forever and one shoe on for the rest of her days. She then adopts a daughter and eventually raises her with the hopes she will destroy men’s lives to seek revenge. Charming. She’s not the main character of the story but she’s certainly a hoot.
1. This old thing?
Dress by Rodarte, fur by Anna Sui, boots by Oscar de la Renta
2. I’m getting married today!!!!
Head to toe Temperley London
3. Estella, destroy him.
Dress by Prabal Gurung, coat by Rodarte, shoes by Meadham Kirchoff
All images from VOGUE UK
Oh also, this is partly inspired by Darklamb who suggested I do a post on Estella.
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