So this week’s New York Times Style Section featured a story about the much anticipated movie The Devil Wear’s Prada. My favorite writer, Ruth LaFerla, discusses the reality of the clothing in this movie versus how the fashion industry really dresses on a daily basis. Do editors really dress in head to toe Chanel or Dior? Not necessarily…they don’t have to. The truth is, while editors may be incredibly stylish and innovative, they are not really trying to impress anyone. They just happen to be good at what they do—hence why they are working at major fashion books!
We also see this fallacy in MTV’s new “reality” show, The Hills. During her first day as a Teen Vogue intern, Lauren “LC” Conrad is “styled” by a Teen Vogue staffer so that she looks more “Teen Vogue-ish.” These two forms of entertainment have falsely branded the fashion industry as brand whores and style freaks. This is not the case. Having worked in the fashion industry for a few years and having personal friends who are fashion editors and designers I can honestly say that these women tend to be effortlessly stylish and have no reason to be branded at all times with some Chanel logo. The truth of the matter is we tend to look for the nice things-the great Marc Jacobs bag that will last a few seasons and always be a classic item. It’s like an old business acquaintance once said—chic French people would never be caught dead with a Louis Vuitton bag, too common. So next time you get waitlisted for that new Balenciaga or Gucci bag EVERYONE has, think about purchasing something a little less mass market-ish.
Posted by Venessa Correa on June 30, 2006 10:48 AM
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