“Fashion” An identity or a trend?
Fashion designing was the only profession that I was sure of since I was introduced to clothes when I was a child. Then, you might wonder how I ended up in psychology instead of following my dream. Well, the only answer to that question is “Psychology’’. This whole subject is so fascinating because it can be connected to almost everything and anything around us, whether it be “sports’’, “beauty’’, “society’’ and lastly “fashion’’. Well then in that case, how about we somehow relate the “apparel industry’’ with “psychology and mental health” shall we? So my lovely viewers, do you all want to take part in this crash course in de-constructing fashion movies with me? And a little twist by relating it to the psychology behind people’s self-esteem and self-worth which in a way comes through clothes.
We can never talk about fashion movies without talking about "The Devil Wears Prada", wherein we encounter the formidable yet flawless editor Miranda Priestly of "Runway" magazine and the talented but nerdy Andrea (her assistant). Working in the fashion magazine industry comes with a lot of expectations and pressure. The movie begins by illustrating how the women in this industry are always striving to look their best and meet high standards, even in the smallest details. For example, all employees switch from comfortable flats to "pointy heels" in the initial scenes of the movie, reflecting the pressure to always appear perfect. Miranda, the main character, consistently appears poised and knows her way around fashion, always emphasising perfection. However, her vulnerability is revealed when we see her in her home setting. Does this imply that wearing stylish clothes not only projects a perfect image but also conceals her inner turmoil?
In the movie, Anne Hathaway's character, 'Andrea,' undergoes a significant change in her fashion style. At first, she is hesitant to seek approval from her superiors, but eventually, she gives in and her appearance undergoes a transformation. As we look at the character's innermost desires and feelings, we can see the importance of reassurance and recognition for mental well-being. The change in fashion trends not only alters her appearance but also seems to diminish her personality. Consequently, her friends and partner start making fun of her. This raises a question: were they mocking her because of her changed appearance? And if they were, how does even having a mere wardrobe change matter to our “self-worth’’? This also prompts us to think about whether people around us want us to grow without losing touch with our true selves. Ultimately, it leads us to ponder who is deceiving whom.
"Aisha" is a famous early 2000s movie in the Bollywood industry. The movie’s titular character, Aisha Kapoor, is presented as someone with a flawless fashion sense in the movie. Like many fashion movies, it involves an infamous "makeover" of a "poor soul". In addition to the protagonist, the movie features Shefali and Pinky, who are not only the protagonist's two best friends but also very strong individuals with their own “bold fashion choices’’.
"Pinky Bose," who juggles between the job of a weather girl and an editor, is always known for her out-of-the-box fashion sense. Bold colours and an interesting choice of fabric selection best describe her style. However, there is a scene where one of her co-actors taunts her about her fashion choices, asking her if she cuts her clothes from a tent at the zoo. In the movies, making jokes about someone's fashion sense may seem funny, but in reality, it's often just brushed off as a comment. However, perhaps we should try to understand the mental perspective behind individuals and their fashion choices. For example, when we look at the character of Pinky, we not only see her confidence but also wonder if her fashion could be a way of hiding anxiety and insecurities.
The second and most important character in this movie is "Shefali". She is a timid yet innocent soul who falls victim to the famous "fashion makeover" trend. She is introduced as the opposite of "Pinky". She is innocent and awkward in her "subtle Indian attire". But what's a fashion movie if the main protagonist doesn't help a poor soul like her, right? But not everything in this movie is considered to be negative, in fact now as a viewer I do feel that fashion makeover as a whole did give that character a whole new personality. Her confidence levels and her self-image took a turn for the better and never looked back. It might be a wild guess, but if you notice in the beginning when this character is introduced, she is always dressed in very light neutral colours, seemingly like someone who doesn't like to stand out. However, as the movie progresses, we can see a wide range of colours that Shefali dresses in, which elevates her personality and her need to fit into this high-class society. It always amazes me how colours and fabrics can impact how we see other people!
Lastly, I want to end by quoting something from “A thousand stitches”, a novel written by Sudha Murthy, wherein she shared a personal incident. One day, while travelling, Sudha Murthy had worn a traditional attire (a kurti), along with a bindi, and bangles - an attire considered old-fashioned by some and a source of pride by others. While standing in line to board the flight, her thoughts were interrupted by a modern middle-aged woman standing right behind her. The woman exclaimed, “Excuse me, I am guessing that you must be on the wrong line, this particular line is exclusive for business class passengers.” It's clear that the lady was judging Sudha Murthy based on her exterior appearance. Nowadays, in this Westernised culture, people often take others seriously only if they are formally dressed. Well yes, I am not in any way generalising it, but I am saying in most of the scenarios this might be the case.
This, in the end, raises the question, "Is fashion a true reflection of oneself, or are we all just wearing it as a mask?
