Since the majority of people have been stuck in their homes for the past several months or more, it’s no surprise that we’ve all been rewatching some of the greatest movies of all time. One of those movies being The Devil Wears Prada.
This 2006 classic follows a young female journalist, Andy, as she tries her hand at being an assistant to the chief editor of Runway for a top-selling fashion magazine. Despite Andy not getting things right all the time, she still comes out having learned valuable skills during her time at the magazine.
Some of her early mistakes include not wearing the right clothing for the job and being unable to discern between two belts as Miranda, her boss, styles an outfit. At first, in Miranda’s eyes, Andy seems like a bumbling fool to have applied for a position in an industry she has little to know knowledge of. However, it is the constant affirmations of Andy’s self respect that wins her over in the eyes of Miranda throughout the movie.
Self respect or sense of self are the qualities that both Andy and Miranda share in the movie. It is what got Andy her job as an assistant and what got Miranda to the top of the fashion industry. It is also what any woman needs to have in order to make it in any industry.
Let’s be honest, no one wants to be taken advantage of or belittled in the workplace by a cruel boss. That’s why we’ve analyzed every example of self respect Andy exhibits in the movie, so that you can practice the same self respect in the workplace.
Andy Exhibits Self Respect in her Job Interview
At the beginning of the movie, Andy goes into an interview with Miranda. Andy, though she seems slightly nervous, presents herself in the best light by sharing her experience in journalism.
While She believes She is qualified for the job, Miranda quickly points out several things that make Andy less desirable for the position in a series of questions. Pointing out that she doesn’t read runway, doesn’t know who Miranda is, and has no sense of style. Here, Miranda is being blatantly rude, but Andy quickly defends herself by turning around and claiming that, though she is not skinny and lacks knowledge of the industry, she is smart. It is here that Andy exemplifies self respect as she does not stand for Miranda’s disrespectful insinuations of Andy’s fashion choices and reasons for applying for the position.
No one, especially in a job interview, should have to succumb to the hateful words of a higher up. Keep this in mind when you go into a job interview or after you get the job. This is important because, once it is made evident that a person is unwilling to defend themselves, some employers will use that against them to take advantage of them in harmful ways. This can happen in any industry and in any part of the world. So, if anyone tries to belittle you publicly, think back to Andy in this classic and stand up for yourself. No matter what.
Andy’s Correction of People When they Get Her Name Wrong
Throughout the beginning of the movie, Miranda and Andy’s co-workers constantly forget her name and give her names such as “Emily” or whatever else comes to their minds. These names they give her are nowhere even close to her real name, which makes it apparent that they couldn’t seem to care less about who she is at first.
Instead of shrugging it off, Andy acknowledges their apathy towards her and decides to correct them several times. She does not do this in a rude or disrespectful fashion. She simply makes a polite correction to let them know that her name should be known.
We’ve all been in a situation or another when our name was mispronounced or mistaken for another. While it’s perfectly fine the first couple of times, it can also be an indication of your co-workers’ lack of respect for you. So, in these situations when no one seems to respect you, it is especially important that you make it a point to respect yourself and correct them. This allows your co-workers and boss to recognize your importance, even if you are just an assistant.
Andy Choosing to Walk away from Miranda
Towards the end of the movie, Andy and Miranda grow closer. Miranda even admits to Andy that she sees herself in her. However, it’s the betrayal committed by Miranda towards Nigiel, another co-worker, and the realization of her own betrayal towards Emily, the head assistant, that causes Andy to reject Miranda’s claims. Andy realizes here that, in order to continue in the industry, she has to give up what means most to her: her sense of self. This self being a compassionate person who does what she wants, not for any other person or for her career, but for herself. Striping herself of her individualism would have allowed her to conform to the harsh world of fashion like Miranda has done. Yet, Andy values her sense of self more. So, she chooses to figuratively and literally walk away from Miranda and out of the limo in the opposite direction.
Likewise, if you are worried that a job is causing you to lose your sense of self for the worst, maybe you should reconsider your being there. Self respect includes having enough respect for yourself to put your own values before a career. I’m sure you would imagine that your boss would hate you for this, but, like Miranda in the movie, your boss might be pleased to see you carve out your own path in an industry or in life.
Are you ready to go Out and Work?
It’s now time for you to go out there and assert yourself in a meaningful way to exemplify your own self respect! And don’t be afraid, like Andy to Miranda, being a strong, self-respecting woman might make you look better in the eyes of your employer.
If you’re itching for more content on female empowerment or entertainment check out these articles on how Ariana Grande’s “7 Rings” Is a Feminist Anthem or how Taylor Swift Calls Out Patriarchal Standards in “The Man”.
