*Article contains spoilers
For someone who can practically quote every line in the movie, you’d think I’d have written this article sooner. But two days ago, while watching The Devil Wears Prada (TDWP) for probably the 30th time, I realised I had too many thoughts and feelings about this masterpiece of a movie to keep to myself.
But before we begin to unpack the details, triumphs and missteps of TDWP, here’s a quick recap: The Devil Wears Prada (2006) follows aspiring journalist Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) who lands a job working for the most revered woman in the fashion industry, editor-in-chief of Runway magazine, Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep). There’s just one problem though — Andy knows nothing about the fashion world. Through juggling seemingly impossible tasks from her “devil” boss, Andy eventually flourishes, but success comes at a cost: her personal life.
Amidst the designer bags, fur coats and Chanel boots, TDWP imparts many valuable lessons that viewers often overlook. It tells a story of perseverance, excellence and morality.
Excited yet? Let’s begin.
Highs and lows of the fashion industry
In the beginning, the film takes us deep into the world of fashion, quickly debunking its misconceived superficiality. It is showcased as a prestigious and lucrative, albeit cut-throat, industry — the epitome of creative excellence.
When Andy derisively snorts that two different belts look “exactly the same”, Miranda proceeds to deliver the most iconic monologue that leaves me, as the kids say, “shooketh” to this day:
“This “stuff”? Oh, okay, I see. You think this has nothing to do with you. You go to your closet and you select, oh I don’t know, that lumpy blue sweater, for instance, because you’re trying to tell the world that you take yourself too seriously to care about what you put on your back. But what you don’t know is that that sweater is not just blue, it’s not turquoise, it’s not lapis, it’s actually cerulean. You’re also blithely unaware of the fact that in 2002, Oscar de la Renta did a collection of cerulean gowns. And then I think it was Yves St Laurent, wasn’t it, who showed cerulean military jackets? And then cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of eight different designers. Then it filtered down through the department stores and then trickled on down into some tragic “casual corner” where you, no doubt, fished it out of some clearance bin. However, that blue represents millions of dollars and countless jobs and it’s sort of comical how you think that you’ve made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry when, in fact, you’re wearing the sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room. From a pile of “stuff”.”
~ Miranda Priestly, The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
Mind = blown.
Miranda’s icy speech covers everything that needed to be said. People often forget the influence that fashion has had on society and culture over the decades. We live our lives in it, and try as you might, it is impossible to exclude yourself from fashion (unless you choose never to wear clothes again, something I wouldn’t recommend).
The film eventually reels towards the short-comings of the fashion industry. It showcases the backstabbing that takes place between colleagues to get ahead in their careers, and despite the tremendous amount of effort these individuals put into their work, it’s always at the expense of their personal lives.
Although realistic, this is not limited to the fashion world, and it is disappointing that the movie ends on such a condescending note.
Miranda’s perfectionism
"Is there some reason that my coffee isn't here? Has she died or something?"
"Florals? For Spring? Groundbreaking."
"By all means, move at a glacial pace. You know how that thrills me."
“That’s all.”
~ Miranda Priestly, The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
Another fault of this movie is how it basically presents Miranda as the Antichrist. Sure, she is cold, critical and appears to relish in making Andy’s life miserable, but upon closer inspection, Miranda is a great mentor. She trains Andy for the real world in her own twisted way, teaching her resourcefulness, perseverance and excellence.
Miranda’s high expectations for her employees pushes them to be better than they are, which is essentially the driving force behind Runway being the successful publication that it is.
Moreover, she is a remarkable example of an established, working woman who is fully dedicated to her career. The fact that driven and successful women like Miranda are so often depicted as villains in films is seriously disturbing.
“Okay, she’s tough but if Miranda were a man, no one would notice anything about her, except how great she is at her job.”
~ Andy Sachs, The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
The film also addresses a significant problem many working women encounter. On top of pursuing a career, women in the 21st century are typically expected to sustain a successful marriage and raise a family. Often facing societal pressure when they fall short of any of the three.
In the film, the media capitalises on Miranda’s multiple divorces instead of her success, labelling her as a career-obsessed “dragon lady”. As successful as she is, Miranda can’t help but fall prey to society’s boxed-in expectations of women professionals.
From hideous skirt owner to total glamazon: Andy’s transformation
To say Andy is unprepared for her interview at Runway would be an understatement. The girl wore a shapeless knee-length skirt that resembles the rag my mother uses to clean the dining room table. With a holier-than-thou attitude towards fashion, she doesn’t understand the industry and doesn’t bother trying to.
“Andy, be serious. You're not trying. You are whining. [...] You have no idea how many legends have walked these halls, and what's worse, you don't care. [...] And you wonder why she doesn't kiss you on the forehead and give you a gold star on your homework at the end of the day. Wake up, sweetheart.”
~ Nigel, The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
But after Nigel’s wake-up call, she begins to understand what the fashion fuss is about and pushes forward to make the impossible possible, eventually proving to herself her capabilities.
Andy’s intelligence and vivaciousness in a foreign and challenging environment is inspiring, and it is her unwavering self-respect that helps her realise the person she wants (and doesn’t want) to be. Qualities that I believe anyone climbing the career ladder should aim to emanate.
Toxic friends
I am outraged - nay, FLABBERGASTED - at the sheer insensitivity of Andy’s so-called “friends”. One moment they were drooling all over her expensive gifts, and the next they were treating her work life as a joke. At this point in the movie, I usually yell in frustration and chuck a handful of popcorn at the screen.
Her peers don’t understand the importance of Andy’s job and what it could do for her future. In addition to being unsupportive, they shame her for her glow-up and for taking her job seriously. Andy, honey, time to get new friends.
Now let’s talk about Nate (aka the insecure unsupportive boyfriend that is proof positive that we should all just remain single). As cute as he is, Nate is the real devil in this movie.
Firstly, he offers NO words of encouragement through her struggle whatsoever, then proceeds to throw a hissy fit because Andy couldn’t help but miss his birthday (which HAPPENS. EVERY. YEAR.) and to top it all off, he breaks up with her because she changed for the better. Honestly, the disrespect.
The bottom line is, Andy was not at fault. She was just hustling her ass off in pursuit of her lifelong dream! Yes, she dresses better but not once does she prioritise branded commodities over her friends or family like the film would like you to believe. Throughout the movie, she stuck to her morals and treated everyone around her with the same amount of respect as she did herself.
I absolutely despise that it took her having to leave her job, drop all of her Paris clothes and apologise for Nate to want her back at the end. This is the biggest flaw of the entire movie, but I guess it wouldn’t be the same without it.
Emily Charleston
Among all the colourful characters in the film, my icon is Miranda’s first assistant Emily (Emily Blunt). She's depicted as a snooty fashionista; yet another product of the fashion world who falls victim to the toxic standards of what it means to be accepted in the industry.
“I'm on this new diet. Well, I don't eat anything and when I feel like I'm about to faint I eat a cube of cheese. I'm just one stomach flu away from my goal weight.”
~ Emily Charleston, The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
But there’s more to her character than meets the eye. Emily is hardworking and passionate. She looks up to her boss, takes her job incredibly seriously and will not let anyone jeopardise her dream of going to Paris. As a young woman inching my way into the fashion industry, I totally relate.
Blunt does an incredible performance of her character, somehow managing to appear undeniably likeable through her scathing remarks. She’s so intimidatingly cool that she could pour searing hot Starbucks on my lap I’d apologise to her.
Almost done, I promise
In the end, the story writes off the fashion industry as toxic, superficial and an unhealthy environment to place oneself in. Disappointingly, it falls short of reminding the audience of all the good that it does for individuals, the evolution of the ideas and creativity, and inevitably, the progression of society.
Nevertheless, it has no doubt inspired tons of young fans all over the world to pursue their dreams, myself included. Now, I have to stop myself before I write a whole book about this movie, but feel free to leave a comment below with your own thoughts and we can pursue a spirited discussion over zoom and a bottle of wine. That’s all.