HBO can now add its new series, “How To Make It In America” to the endless list of shows attempting to show life in New York City as an over-the-top dream. In the last 10-15 years, life in New York City and the fashion industry have been the center for many television shows, movies and reality shows. These shows and movies glamorize New York City and what life is like here. Think Carrie Bradshaw and her many pairs of Manolo Blahnik shoes, Andrea’s fabulous new wardrobe in “The Devil Wears Prada”, or even Whitney Port’s transplanted career from LA to NYC. Sure, there are more than a handful of people in New York City who live the life of glamour and glitz. After all, we do live in one of the wealthiest and most culturally diverse cities in the world, but are these shows really captivating the real essence of New York City , and what it’s like to live here for most of us? What is tru I say not.
“How To Make It In America” is the story of Ben Epstein, a mid-twenties dropout fashion student from FIT, and his best friend, Lower East Sider Cam whose main goal is to get rich quick. Ben spends his days working at Barney’s denim department, while Cam takes odd jobs to make ends meet, including selling knock-off goods in the streets or selling skateboards to young kids in the Upper East Side. Their dream is to start their own premium denim line in a slumping economy. Sounds pretty normal, right? The basis for the show is something many people can relate to, especially us as students at LIM. Most of us have worked a retail job, while trying to balance school and our personal lives. However, Ben and Cam seem to spend their leisure time attending glamorous art gallery openings, loft parties with celebrities and models, and even dinner parties with John Varvatos. It all seems just so easy and accessible, but the truth is that life here is not what it’s made out to be. It isn’t all candy and shopping, runways and photo shoots.
I understand that the show needs to sell an over-the-top image to captivate an audience and keep them watching the show. However, the situations in this show and others using New York City as a backdrop, paint a false picture of what starting a career or a business can be like in New York. I can see it now, a flock of guys in their mid 20’s will be moving here to start their own denim line, sneaker line, or open a boutique. I can be critical- I moved here from Miami with dreams of my own, and have experienced the complete opposite of what I thought it would be like. When following your dreams, sometimes you don’t think things through and don’t have a plan. You just want to follow them and get there fast. We live in a country where we want instant gratification, we all want to live a glitzy life without having to work for it. Most of the college graduates I know that moved to New York City are not only unemployed, but did not work in their fields of choice. They all saw themselves sipping Martinis while giggling with their friends over a $80 steak, and living in oversized lofts in Chelsea. Instead, they’re sipping on wine, over Chinese take-out, while sitting in their small apartments that they share with two or three other girls.
Is it possible that they were inspired by the media’s image of New York? The truth is as amazing as this city is, it is not a paradise and it sure isn’t easy to make it to the top. I am here for a reason, and that reason is to be successful and have a successful and meaningful career in the fashion industry. I am not attempting to put down dreams or aspirations for anyone , I’m just trying to open up people’s eyes and show that life here isn’t always what it’s made out to be. It takes a lot of work, dedication, sweats and tears to make it in America.
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