Communications in Humanities Research
- The Open Access Proceedings Series for Conferences
Communications in Humanities Research
Vol. 25, 03 January 2024
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Shedding Light on Fashion Industry: An Analysis of "The Devil Wears Prada"
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Abstract
This essay delves into the complexities of the fashion industry as portrayed in the movie The Devil Wears Prada (2006), directed by David Frankel. Through analyzing power dynamics, the gaze, and societal pressures, the essay explores the journey of Andy Sachs, an aspiring journalist navigating the world of fashion journalism under the formidable editor-in-chief, Miranda Priestly. Theoretical frameworks, including Laura Mulvey's concept of the "male gaze," Michel Foucault's power theory, and Pierre Bourdieu's cultural capital, enrich the understanding of the film's themes. "The Devil Wears Prada" offers a critical examination of the fashion industry's glamorous facade and its impact on individuals, prompting discussions about societal values and body positivity. While acknowledging the film's limitations as fictional, the essay highlights the fashion industry's evolving commitment to inclusivity, particularly in expanding clothes sizes. Ultimately, the movie serves as a timeless reference point for discussions on ambition and authenticity amidst societal pressures in the fashion world.
Keywords
Gaze, Gender and Power, Fashion Industry
References
1. Frankel, D. (2006). The Devil Wears Prada. Fox 2000 Pictures.
2. Gender and power dynamics - The University of Auckland. (n.d.). Www.auckland.ac.nz. https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/student-support/personal-support/be-well/healthy-relationships/gender-and-power-dynamics.html
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4. Stahl, S. M. (2008). Stahl's essential psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific basis and practical applications (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
5. What is Cultural Capital. IGI Global. (n.d.). https://www.igi-global.com/dictionary/college-going-and-college-staying-capital/6368
6. Mallon, J. (2021, March 25). Top model candid about body shaming prevalent in fashion. FashionUnited. https://fashionunited.com/news/people/top-model-candid-about-body-shaming-prevalent-in-fashion/2021032539128
7. Bogár, N., Dukay‐Szabó, S., Simon, D., Túry, F., & Pászthy, B. (2022). Frequency of disordered eating habits among fashion models. European Eating Disorders Review, 30(6). https://doi.org/10.1002/erv.2912
8. Cwynar-Horta, J. (2016). The Commodification of the Body Positive Movement on Instagram. Stream: Interdisciplinary Journal of Communication, 8(2), 36–56. https://journals.sfu.ca/stream/index.php/stream/article/view/203
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Data Availability
The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.
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- Volume Title
- Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Interdisciplinary Humanities and Communication Studies
- ISBN (Print)
- 978-1-83558-253-4
- ISBN (Online)
- 978-1-83558-254-1
- Published Date
- 03 January 2024
- Series
- Communications in Humanities Research
- ISSN (Print)
- 2753-7064
- ISSN (Online)
- 2753-7072
- DOI
- 10.54254/2753-7064/25/20231824
- Copyright
- 03 January 2024
- Open Access
- This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited