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Stiletto-heeled boot camp

A former fashion editor says "The Devil Wears Prada" got the passion (and pressure) just right.

By Jamie Malanowski

THE PLOT: Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway), an idealistic young journalist from the Midwest with a clearance-bin wardrobe, manages to land a coveted job as assistant at the leading fashion glossy, "Runway." Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) is the tough, high-powered boss who introduces the "size 6" Andy to the privileged world of couture.

GUEST COMMENTATOR: Jade Hobson Charnin is the former creative director at "Vogue," where she oversaw fashion spreads and handpicked clothing. She started as accessory editor in 1971. Her tenure there through 1988 preceded Anna Wintour, the real-life editor Priestly is modeled after. Charnin also has served in such key roles as executive creative director of "Mirabella" and fashion director of "New York."

OVERVIEW: "Though obviously an exaggeration, the movie got so much about magazines and fashion exactly right. I loved it."

Scene 5: The Early Bird -- The demanding Miranda requires her assistants to perfectly perform all sorts of tasks, including many of a personal nature.

"It's legendary what some editors require their assistants to do: dog-sitting, taking care of children, finding household help. The human resources department at Condé Nast was always finding cooks for Alex Lieberman [its venerable creative director], sometimes two in one day. But not all editors do that. When I started at "Vogue," I was offered a choice of two positions. One was as the assistant to an older Southern lady who expected her assistants to help her with her coat and get coffee. I took the other one."

Scene 6: I'm Not Emily -- After Miranda assesses Andy's new wardrobe, Andy ditches her clogs for designer heels.

"I liked how Miranda focused on Andy's clogs and how Andy adjusted. Shoes are the most important accessory, the best way a woman can upgrade her wardrobe without spending a lot. By putting on those Blahniks, Andy shows that she is beginning to change."

Scene 8: The Lunch Line -- During a chance encounter, Miranda's second-in-command, Nigel (Stanley Tucci), tells Runway's owner that a layout has been scrapped, at a cost of $300,000.

"This happens all the time. ["Vogue" editor] Diana Vreeland once made us doa shoot eight times. Sometimes the hair is wrong, or someone has put a dress on backward."

Scene 9: From a Pile of Stuff -- During a staff meeting with Miranda, Andy makes the mistake of scoffing at the importance of "fashion."

"Among editors, 'run-through' sessions were often competitive, more so than is depicted. It would not be unusual to hear editors hissing as a colleague presented an idea. But I loved the way Miranda defended the significance of fashion -- and her magazine."

Scene 31: To Be Us -- After trying to help Miranda save her job, Andy quits when she realizes how self-serving Miranda is.

"I was disappointed at the ending. Andy was bitten by her job, and she had become good at it. Realistically, she would have figured out a way to stay."