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witchy women
January 31, 2014

Myrtle Snow’s Best Fashion Moments From American Horror Story: Coven

By Julianne Escobedo Shepherd

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Photo: FX Networks

American Horror Story: Coven, a deep dive into the inner-sanctum of a New Orleans-based witches coven, aired its season finale this week. The season showcased the strongest, most powerful female characters of the American Horror Story series thus far (a show that has never shied away from powerful women), and one of the strongest among them was the glorious Myrtle Snow, head of the Witches Council, portrayed by a plucky Frances Conroy.

Along with telekinesis and transmutation, one of Snow’s strongest powers was fashion. Clad in witchy cat-eye glasses, formal gloves, luxurious, Prada-reminiscent frocks, and a glittering cigarette holder, Snow was known to muse about her favorite designers: She talked lovingly of Chanel, disapprovingly of Halston (after he sold out to J.C. Penney, the horrors!), and delivered an inspired monologue about the history of her lord and savior, Diane Von Furstenberg: “I had a love like that once. Egon Von Furstenberg. He dumped me, but everything worked out all right in the end. You know why? Because he went on to marry the divine Diane. And without Egon’s support, Diane Von Furstenberg never would have created the greatest invention of the century, the wrap dress!” Bless, Myrtle.

With her beauty looks deeply reminiscent of Grace Coddington — her red hair crimped and blown out into a frizz, with minimal makeup — Conroy based her precise speaking voice on the drawl of legendary Vogue editor Diana Vreeland. (She learned the Vreeland voice by studying The Eye Has to Travel.) And, as anyone who watched the excellent finale this week knows, her final line of the series was yelling passionately into the hot air of the desert, “Balenciaaaagaaaaaa!” It was no coincidence that the scene was shot like a fashion editorial, with Snow in a crimson gown and ink-shaded parasol, leading a pack of black-clad witches. (Surely AHS’ brilliant costume designer Lou Eyrich mined some of her own looks for the series.)

As Jessica Lange’s Fiona Goode put it to Snow, “Look at you, developing a sense of style when no one was paying attention.” In honor of the season’s dignified end, click through our slideshow for some of Myrtle Snow’s best looks from the season.

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Myrtle Snow, played by Frances Conroy  Photo: Courtesy of FX Networks
Snow's Coddington-esque look was pitch-perfect in episode nine, with just a touch of rouge lipstick to complement her fiery blowout. The tan, double-w... Snow's Coddington-esque look was pitch-perfect in episode nine, with just a touch of rouge lipstick to complement her fiery blowout. The tan, double-winged cat eyes added a touch of humor to it, her frames recalling whimsical sixties witches and magic-makers. Like Endora from Bewitched. Photo: Courtesy of FX Networks
A close-up of Myrtle Snow's tight accessory game, which no doubt includes the cocktail. In the final episode, she contemplates her future in style wit... A close-up of Myrtle Snow's tight accessory game, which no doubt includes the cocktail. In the final episode, she contemplates her future in style with blush-colored gloves and a silk scarf. Photo: Courtesy of FX Networks
Like any good visually impaired style fanatic, Snow came with a change of eyewear: black cat-eye frames instead of beige, as she questions the Coven's... Like any good visually impaired style fanatic, Snow came with a change of eyewear: black cat-eye frames instead of beige, as she questions the Coven's trusty butler, Spalding. Photo: Courtesy of FX Networks
In her first appearance in the series, Myrtle Snow showed up with her Witches Council sidekicks looking "divine," as she says. Ruffled, fing... In her first appearance in the series, Myrtle Snow showed up with her Witches Council sidekicks looking "divine," as she says. Ruffled, fingerless gloves and her fringed shawl mean business ... Photo: Courtesy of FX Networks
... While her matching rose-print maxi skirt asserted her own supremacy within the Coven. Seriously, how is this image, including an ethereal Sarah Pa... ... While her matching rose-print maxi skirt asserted her own supremacy within the Coven. Seriously, how is this image, including an ethereal Sarah Paulson, not ripped straight from a magazine? Photo: Courtesy of FX Networks
In the last episode , administering the final witch test, the characters' black-and-white color palette shows how precisely Eyrich was thinking about ... In the last episode , administering the final witch test, the characters' black-and-white color palette shows how precisely Eyrich was thinking about the looks in this entire series. The younger witches wore head-to-toe black most often, accessorizing with floppy hats, shawls, and parasols. Cordelia (Sarah Paulson) and Myrtle Snow were more likely to choose a color story, but the gravity of this particular scene required more neutral hues. Photo: Courtesy of FX Networks
Another close-up of Snow's final-episode look — you cannot be mad at multiple sleeve lengths. Photo: Courtesy of FX Networks
In episode eleven, Snow's banana-colored leather gloves made her dotty shirt pop, while she underscored that you can't knock a good brooch game. Again... In episode eleven, Snow's banana-colored leather gloves made her dotty shirt pop, while she underscored that you can't knock a good brooch game. Again: high-fashion photography, right here. Photo: Courtesy of FX Networks
From the ninth episode, a very Marni-esque color palette. Or, perhaps, Maria Cornejo? Also notice the sheer, polka-dotted gloves to match. Photo: Cou... From the ninth episode, a very Marni-esque color palette. Or, perhaps, Maria Cornejo? Also notice the sheer, polka-dotted gloves to match. Photo: Courtesy of FX Networks
When all else fails, match your ensemble and your hair to your floral centerpiece, or vice versa: The belted overcoat and black gloves prove she's a l... When all else fails, match your ensemble and your hair to your floral centerpiece, or vice versa: The belted overcoat and black gloves prove she's a legend. Long live Myrtle Snow! Photo: Courtesy of FX Networks
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Tags:

  • american horror story
  • american horror story fashion
  • tv fashion
  • slideshow
  • mrytle snow
  • frances conroy
  • grace coddington
  • chanel
  • halston
  • prada
  • diane von furstenberg
  • diana vreeland
  • balenciaga
  • witchy women
  • More

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