“Stylista” Will Make A Mockery of the Fashion Industry
Read More:ann slowey, BASH, elle magazine, Stylista
I’ll probably watch “Stylista”. No, I will watch “Stylista”, then I’ll roll my eyes when one of the assistants get menacingly chided for bringing in tepid coffee or when a very costumed Ann Slowey does her best, albeit hackneyed, Devil Wears Prada impression. While rifling through this month’s Elle over the weekend, I couldn’t help but notice the less than modest mentions about their upcoming reality show/competition in which we’ll get to see how much contestants are willing to make utter fools of themselves for an “editor position” at said magazine. It’s an all too familiar scene these days—another reality show turning and otherwise esteemed profession into a glamorized joke. The trivialization of jobs in the fashion industry has become fodder for prime time entertainment, which really is nothing new. But now they’ve gone after fashion editors and I am, to say the least, vexed.
The truth is I like shows like this; Project Runway, America’s Next Top Model, The Fashionista Diaries, etc. They give people a candid view to the inner workings of the fashion business, and for people like me, who actually plan to be a part of that business one day, it’s a little inspiring. Okay a lot. Equally, I can’t help but be turned off by how callous, sniveling and vacuous they make everyone seem (trust me, editing is a bitch). I’ve had my share of internships in fashion PR and publishing and it’s definitely not as theatrical (except when dealing with Mandie Erickson’s former pupil/bff). Yes, this industry can be superficial, shallow and silly, and yes you’ll come across more assholes more often than normal than in any other field, but these are people, highly skilled artisans if you will, that are true experts at what they do, all in the name of pleasing our senses.
Despite the common consensus, it takes real talent and vision to execute such imaginative spreads and layouts, which in turn makes everything look even more drool worthy and unattainable. I guess my main concern is being met with the absent-minded “oh really like who isnt” pshaw when divulging my aspirations. I refuse to be a dime a dozen.
