Jessica Chastain is unrecognisable in W Magazine cover shoot

The Martian actress gets a radical make over in Givenchy Haute Couture, Atelier Versace and Saint Laurent for the lens of Steven Klein

Jessica Chastain for W magazine (Steven Klein/W Magazine)

Nevermind Ziggy Stardust, Jessica Chastain, has channelled her inner gothic punk for W magazine and her transformation is amazing.

The Martian actress is nearly unrecognisable on the cover of the glossy magazine’s November issue. Shot by renowned fashion photographer Steven Klein and styled in Givenchy Haute Couture, Saint Laurent Proenza Shoulder, Atelier Versace and Vetements (which just saw its creative director go to Balenciaga) by Edward Enninful, the actress is transformed into an “intrepid spaceship commander, creepy gothic heroine”.

Jessica Chastain for W Magazine. By Steven Klein (By Steven Klein/W Magazine)

She swaps her ginger locks and usual elegant style for fiery magenta hair with matching thick, matte lips. Her eyebrows are painted on in an exaggerated style. In further images she also sports platinum blonde hair in what appears to be a sleek punk pixie haircut.

In one of the rather more racy shots she wears a halter yellow lace see-through dress by Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci, teamed with yellow gloves, oversized beaded hoops and a matching necklace.

This, however, is not the first time she has starred on the cover of the glossy publication, having appeared twice before.

Jessica Chastain is the cover star of W magazine's November issue. By Steven Klein (By Steven Klein/W Magazine)

W editor Stefano Tonchi said: “When I asked Chastain to be on the cover of this issue, joining forces with image-maker Steven Klein and W’s visionary Fashion and Style Director, Edward Enninful, she was the first to urge us to defy convention, declaring that she is an actress, not a model. And yes, Chastain is drop-dead gorgeous, but she is definitely more than just a pretty face.”

In the interview accompanying the images, she admits having confused people with her radical characters, coming from the country girl in The Help to the fearless CIA detective on Zero Dark Thirty, and most recently on the big screen for The Martian alongside Matt Demon.

Jessica Chastain in a racy shot wearing Givenchy Haute Couture. By Steven Klein (Steven Klein/W Magazine)

“I would hear, ‘Who is the real Jessica?’ a lot,” she said. But reveals that her goal is to play a villain in a Bond film.

“People ask me if I want to be a Bond girl, and I say, ‘No, I want to be the villain.’ I’m waiting for that call!”