Fashion on the Big Screen

I t is difficult to thrive in any industry without hard work––regardless of who you know. The fashion industry is no exception; however, the media’s portrayal of the industry often suggests otherwise. Movies like The Devil Wears Prada and television shows such as “The Carrie Diaries” and “The Bold Type” propose that success in the industry comes solely through connections and luck. Hence, it is hard for audiences to decipher what is realistic and what is exaggerated.

In The Devil Wears Prada, fashion tycoon and magazine editor Miranda Priestly is portrayed as a tyrannical and cruel boss. She does whatever she has to do to keep her place in the industry, in spite of her personal life and the lives of those around her. The relationship between Miranda and her newest employee, Andy Sachs, is at the focal point of the film. To many, this relationship represents the harsh life and treatment of industry workers.

The horrors of the fashion industry are exposed and reinforced throughout this film, giving a bad reputation to magazines and their executives––think Vogue and the iconic Anna Wintour. However, despite the intimidating and heartless characterization of Miranda, the boss of Runway magazine, is admirable. She is depicted as hardworking, career-driven and demanding of respect.

While some may criticize Miranda for her aggressive approach, it is important to acknowledge her as a female boss whose work ethic and determination ultimately led her to success. This focus on strong, female characters is a recurring theme and should inspire other women looking to hold high-up positions in fashion and elsewhere.

In an interview with Refinery 29, Co-Founder of Tinker Tailor Cleo Davis-Urman recounted how she took charge of the fashion industry. Urman worked under Rachel Zoe, and it changed her life. After only a week she assisted in celebrity fittings. Soon after, she began working on her own.

“I learned so much from Rachel, who is not only a fashion icon with impeccable taste and the most discerning eye, but a savvy businesswoman,” Urman said. “She taught me to never take no for an answer and that all of my fashion dreams could be made a reality.”

Carrie Bradshaw in “The Carrie Diaries” shows the opposing, glitzy perspective of a young woman struggling to find her place in New York City. After accidentally stumbling into the editor of her favorite magazine, Carrie was offered a job. While the majority of the plot-lines may be somewhat unrealistic, Carrie’s passion, dedication and initiative are all attractive qualities in the competitive world of fashion journalism. Despite her young age, Bradshaw manages to impress everyone she meets, allowing her to quickly establish herself in the industry.

Associate Digital Editor of Harper’s Bazaar Lauren Fisher said, “As an intern you have the opportunity to learn everything from the ground up, that means you’re putting in hard work—it’s not your time to reap all the glamorous fashion perks just yet. That means accepting every single task with enthusiasm and treating every single task, whether it’s getting coffee or assisting on a photo shoot, like it’s the most important task— because it is. Having a good attitude will make you stand out along the way.” Carrie Bradshaw is a prime example of the benefits of having a good attitude regardless of the task.

Even the most mundane tasks could lead to a job offer. In Freeform’s newest show “The Bold Type,” the three main characters started as interns before landing their respective jobs. Out of all the shows centered on the fashion world, “The Bold Type” is the most accurate and insightful. The women got their positions through normal application processes and struggled, as expected, upon starting. The characters each know what they eventually want out of their careers and strive to find their identities.

Fans of the show appreciate its diverse, authentic characters. “The Bold Type” paints the industry as busy and challenging, yet also understanding and supporting. It allows viewers to recognize they can achieve their dreams if they have confidence in their abilities.

Just like “The Carrie Diaries,” “The Bold Type” has its moments of alternative realities of the industry, especially in its exaggeration of social media outreach. One episode was dedicated to Kat Edison, the social media director, getting negative backlash after a single tweet. According to Sydney Forman, the social media coordinator of the fashion company Guilt, this doesn’t happen often. S

ydney Forman landed a job at Guilt through a referral from a friend. As a social media coordinator, she manages the company’s social media accounts, runs analytics and increases outreach. Forman’s experience is different from the ones portrayed on television. In fact, it is relatively stress free.

“The environment is definitely exaggerated on TV,” she says. “But also, it’s very different working at a fashion company than it is working at a magazine. People at Guilt, and other companies, are more relaxed and dress more casually versus people at Vogue.”

Ultimately, “The Bold Type” or “The Carrie Diaries” may not be completely true, but they present female characters who take risks and initiative to achieve their goals. In an article titled “A Woman’s Work: How Women Can Get Ahead in Fashion,” Senior Editorial Associate for Business of Fashion Osam Ahmed said that women are dominating the fashion industry. They make up more than 70 percent of the workforce, yet they still are holding less than 25 percent of the leadership positions. While women are on the floor, men are running the fashion houses. However, these shows present the possibility of a different reality––one that young girls should aspire to achieve.

By Sonia Kulkami | Photography by Noor Nasser | Design by Sonia Chatfield