“The Devil Wears Prada” is a timeless film that
holds ideas and values that stay true today within the fashion industry. It
exemplifies that different opinions for every kind of person and the way they
choose to express themselves is through their clothes. The fashion industry and
the way in which it operates remains an enigma to so many.
In the film “The Devil Wears Prada” Miranda,
portrayed by Meryl Streep, discusses the idea that even if one is not
considered to be fashionable or have any sense of personal style, the fashion
industry has affected you inevitably. This idea comes from the scene where one
out of two similar belts needs to be selected in the effort to complete an
outfit. Andy, played by Anne Hathaway, laughs because another assistant says it’s
a hard choice because the two belts are so different. The two belts were quite
similar with good reason, it gives the audience the chance to be in Andy’s
shoes (before they were Chanel boots) and relate to her point of view. By putting
the viewer into the same thought process as Andy, what Miranda says makes it
all the more critical. In summation, Miranda says that no matter who you are
or how you dress, your clothes were designed and selected by a large group of
individuals and a meticulous system.
Colors, styles, fabrics, cuts, prints, detailing…these
all can be traced from the highest of elite designers over time all the way
down to your local goodwill. This is fashion. Fashion is temporary, posing the
question “What is hot right now? What is considered a desirable look? Does this
reflect who I am as a person?” It decides what makes a particular piece “out of
date” and 3 dollars at the thrift store. “It” being fashion, in combination with
the passing of time and the constant churning out of new collections and ideas
season by season makes fashion what it is.
Fashion is endlessly beautiful, creating something
physical that can become part of the way the exterior of a person is perceived, and
it says something about yourself without having to speak a word. It is art in
fluid motion, and like water fashion is circulated. Something you could find in
Vogue from the 1970’s made by YSL for example (I love 70’s fashion, as well as
Yves Saint Laurent) could be completely re imagined, modernized, and set free
into the world in the present day to show an appreciation for the particular
decade and the history that is glued to the time frame, and I chose the 70’s
because street fashion and high fashion were both incredible and rich with tales
of music, protests, peace and the Vietnam war.
This idea can be tied very closely as well with
photographs. When a person looks at an old picture, besides the condition and
film and color of the photo, there is a remarkable chance that someone could
pick out the time frame just by looking at the clothes, the accessories, the
hair, and makeup (if there is any). Fashion is history, and history tends to
repeat itself in the best way possible. It’s yet another visual aid of history
and culture. Fashion can show you functionality for the time period. It
represents revolution on a monumental scale. The roaring 1920’s were wildly
important for women. They wanted to be taken more seriously as men were, they
wanted freedom and fun and expression, not be covered down in dresses to their
ankles, as women in history tended to be. This desire for equality sparked the
short male-like haircuts and shorter “flapper” dresses. I can only imagine the
liberation of changing ones look so dramatically, as well as finally being able
to vote on August 18th of 1920.
Style is the older sister to Fashion. Style is
eternal, it’s never ending, and it can take the smallest part of yourself that
never changes throughout your lifetime, and display that through your outfit. Fashion
decides who you want to be today, this month, or this year. Style shows what
you want to be forever. Karl Lagerfeld once said, “one is never overdressed or under dressed in a little black dress” and I genuinely believe that this will
hold true till long after my generation has died of old age.
There is one thing that is both an insult and a
compliment at the same time, and that’s being called the term “materialistic”.
This word is defined as “excessively concerned with material possessions; money-oriented.”
This term is thrown around frivolously and constantly without much regard for
what it really means for someone who is involved and loves fashion and style
for what it is and what it continues to be. Materialism can extend further than
just the value of quality, and when it gets to a place of jealousy or greed then
it’s a problem. Although the value of quality and beauty and what it costs is not a problem. If paying several
hundred dollars for something that is truly loved and is made with the best quality
materials that will last a lifetime if cared for properly, and will become part
of a personal style for any duration of that lifetime, I see no problem whatsoever
in making that investment. A purse, a
pair of shoes, jewelry, or a coat…either the item has a specific function or it’s
to change what an outfit could mean or be adorned for whatever event, job,
season, celebration, or place one will encounter in their world.
Style is what you make of Fashion. It’s what you do
with your pieces, the whole entirety that you create that isn’t ever out of
date. If an expensive item is something that you are going to use for a long
time, you will get your money’s worth from the comfort and the quality and longevity
of that item. Luxury can make a less expensive item hold its own in your life.
It can equal confidence and something special in your closet that deserves its
spot on the shelf. Think about your favorite article of clothing. What does it
mean to you? Is it the way it makes you feel or look? Is it the comfort? Does
it remind you of a time or a place? Does it make you feel better on a bad day?
Clothing, accessories, beauty products, shoes and everything in between are
something that everyone takes part in.
Fashion and Style is more than magazine covers and
price tags and models and articles. It’s a connection for humanity and culture.
It’s brings many different kinds of people together, it liberates and locks in
place in society and it inspires ideas and design and careers. After all, if
you’re wearing clothes, then you've already been affected.
Love Always, B
Have any questions or comments?
Email me at robbylusk2800@gmail.com
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