Jessica Madsen is used to spending a lot of time in the hair and make-up chair. Her character on Bridgerton, Cressida Cowper, is renowned for her intricate, verging on ridiculous, hairstyles, with this season’s looks in particular spawning a host of mock imitations on TikTok. So it’s only fitting that Bazaar caught up with the actress while in hair and make-up ahead of the premiere of Season 3, Part 2 of the show.
Tonight’s look is one that Cressida would approve of. “I’ve never worn anything like tonight’s look before,” she shares. “I was thinking about this premiere and what would be the right look for the red carpet and I always had silver or gold in mind, so this Fendi look is perfect.”
Much like Gunther in Friends, Madsen’s character is both in the background and a scene stealer. In season one, she was the love rival of Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor), trying to win the hand of Prince Friedrich. Now, in season three, she’s pitted against Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan), competing against her for the affection of Lord Debling, as well as for the friendship of Featherington’s ex-best friend, Eloise Bridgerton.
“I rely quite heavily on the costume to make me feel like Cressida,” she says. “And even though I love minimal make-up for me, I do feel really fantastic when I’m dressed up as her, too.”
Here, we catch up with the 32-year-old starlet on her fashion and beauty philosophy, and find out why fashion matters to her.
Please talk us through your look – what drew you to this particular outfit?
“I’m wearing a couture Fendi two-piece tonight. It’s very sparkly – it’s giving mermaid I feel! It’s silver and beaded all over, with a bra and a skirt. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever worn, so I’m really excited about it. The shoes are also Fendi and are beaded metallic slingbacks. As the dress is so bejewelled we’ve gone for quite simple, but amazing, Bulgari jewellery – earrings and a ring. There were matching gloves which I was undecided on whether to wear or not, but in the end, I decided the look was mega enough without them!”
How do you decide which brands you want to work with?
“I rely entirely on my wonderful stylist, Jenny Kennedy, who is a knower of all things. I trust her fully. She sent me a picture of the look and I was like ‘let’s do it!’ I thought Fendi was a good fit because they have such a wonderful mix as a brand and I love their couture, especially this season, it’s incredible. I love a bit of sparkle!”
What kind of fashion makes you feel your most confident?
“I feel like it changes as time goes on. I would always revert to a suit though. Today is a look I didn’t think I’d ever put on my body or be brave enough to wear, but I actually feel really confident and sexy in it. Sometimes you just have to put it on and see, you never know how it’ll make you feel.”
Has your style evolved over the years?
“Hugely! I feel like every different version of me has worn a different thing. I used to wear a lot of black, then a lot of bright colours, and now I feel like I’m a bit calmer and more neutral.”
Whose style have you always admired and why?
“I have to say Cate Blanchett. She always looks amazing and is so chic, whether she’s in a dress or a suit.”
What is your ideal getting-ready set-up?
“I love to have a bit of music on, get the tunes going. Then I always have some snacks, I’ve currently got orange juice, coffee and water in front of me, so all bases covered! Food is super important so that I’ve got enough energy for the evening. I like to slowly get ready and make an event of it.”
When do you feel most beautiful?
“I feel the most beautiful these days when I’m actually quite minimal. I feel like beauty is something that you feel inside more, rather than the outside, though of course that does help. But when I’m rested and hydrated, and I feel like I’ve got the energy I need for the day, that’s when I feel my best. At the moment, I’m fairly minimal with my make-up, I’ve gone through a bit of a no make-up phase. It’s the opposite of Cressida, my character in Bridgerton – the more she can put on the better!”
Fashion has a reputation for being frivolous, but why does what we wear matter?
“I don’t think it’s frivolous at all! It’s art. It’s a way of expressing yourself. All these different fabrics make you feel something. If you feel something and you’re moved by it, then that’s what art is intended to do. Everyone has their own sense of style which makes them feel a certain way.”
Hair: Josh Knight, Make Up: Beth Long