How Mademoiselle C and The Devil Wears Prada Exemplifies High Fashion Journalism
Wed. 24 April ‘24
The Devil Wears Prada and Mademoiselle C portray the world of high fashion journalism by showing industry professionals' lives and what working at a fashion magazine looks like. Both films represent Paris as the fashion capital and centralize its value on fashion. In The Devil Wears Prada, the people revere Paris for being the essence of fashion. A distinct example is the character Emily who desperately wants to go to Paris Fashion Week as it means the entire world to her.
The Devil Wears Prada (2007) film still
Paris is the center of haute couture and the tip of the fashion industry. Andy decides to go to Paris Fashion Week after realizing she wants to get ahead in the industry despite her previous hostility toward fashion. She understands the gravity of her mistake of stepping over Emily to reach her goals when she sees Miranda give a job promised to Nigel to another person, to protect her position as Chief-Editor at Runway Magazine.
The Devil Wears Prada is based in New York City, but shows Paris Fashion Week as a focal point in the film. Andy experiences the joy of fashion for the first time in her life. She is immersed in Parisian fashion. She leaves it all behind when she steps out of Miranda's car. She quits her job due to her desire to stay true to her values.
Mademoiselle C (2012) film still
Mademoiselle C portrays the world of high fashion journalism more realistically as it films in Paris and documents real people's lives. Carine Roitfeld is a stylish, brilliant woman who turned French Vogue into a vehicle for high profits and glamour (Horyn, 2010). She left her position at Vogue Paris to launch her fashion magazine CR Fashion Book. She was the former editor of Vogue Paris and was named one of Time's 100 most influential people in '08.
Image of Carine Roitfeld
Roitfeld appeared more personable compared to Anna Wintour because Mademoiselle C showcased her personal family life, yet The Devil Wears Prada is a fictional film that focuses on Anna Wintour's work life. Anna’s fictionalized character Miranda was depicted as a shallow, egoistic, controlling woman in The Devil Wears Prada, whereas Mademoiselle C painted Roitfeld in a flattering positive light.
Anna Wintour did not take personal offense to the film and book and ironically celebrated the positive traction it brought to American Vogue.
I prefer the film Mademoiselle C for being more authentic than The Devil Wears Prada, although I have watched the latter film innumerable times throughout my childhood.
