Before stepping into the long-awaited sequel of The Devil Wears Prada, revisiting the original is more than a nostalgic exercise — it’s essential to understanding how fashion and media have changed over the past two decades.
back to the original
The 2006 movie is based on a novel by Lauren Weisberger, inspired by her time as an assistant for “the Devil” herself — aka Anna Wintour, Vogue’s former Editor-in-Chief.
The Devil Wears Prada follows the story of young journalist Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway), who has just graduated from college and is looking for a job in the editorial industry. Instead, she lands the job that every girl would kill for: junior assistant of Miranda Priestley (Meryl Streep), the powerful and feared editor-in-chief of the iconic Runway magazine.
But Andy couldn’t care less about fashion; she sees it as shallow and worthless, and her personal style is far from fashionable.
However, everything changes. While clashing with Emily (Emily Blunt), undergoing makeovers, and enduring Miranda’s crazy requests, Andy finds herself drawn into the fashion world — even as her personal life hangs on by a thread.
In The Devil Wears Prada 2, we find Miranda Priestley’s long-running high-fashion empire on the verge of collapse. As the digital landscape takes over and print media loses its appeal, Runway magazine becomes increasingly irrelevant.
Meanwhile, Andy Sachs makes her return to the fashion world, now as a more mature journalist. To maintain Runway’s importance in the fashion world, Miranda must join forces with her former assistant — and now nemesis — Emily Charlton, who now works as a marketing executive for some of the world’s biggest luxury brands. She embodies the industry’s new focus on influence, making her key to the magazine’s potential revival.
The film brings back its original core cast — Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci — but also some fresh faces, such as: Oscar Kenneth Branagh, Justin Theroux, Lucy Liu, B.J. Novak, Simone Ashley and more.
Besides the casting, there is one major change that can’t be overlooked: the film welcomes a new costume designer. Because of this — and paparazzi pictures of the characters’ outfits during filming — many fans of the original were not pleased, leaving some to question whether the movie is even worth watching.
what to expect?
new costumes
One of the most significant and noticeable changes in the upcoming movie is the new costume designer. In the original The Devil Wears Prada, the artistry of clothing was led by Patricia Field, who also styled for TV shows like Sex and The City, Ugly Betty and Emily in Paris.
The renowned stylist set high expectations for whoever would step into her shoes, thanks to the glamorous outfits that made audiences dream of becoming Andy Sachs — and wearing head-to-toe Chanel to a regular day at work. In the Runway universe, what you wear defines who you are, and Patricia used this mantra religiously throughout the film, using clothes as a storytelling tool to shape the characters’ personalities and growth.
Twenty years later, however, in a modern world where fashion is dictated by the fast-changing trends, maintaining that glamorous and luxurious dream may seem challenfing. That’s why Molly Rogers — Field’s former assistant — was chosen as the new costume designer for The Devil Wears Prada 2. She’s no stranger to the industry, having co-designed costumes for Sex and the City and led the wardrobe for its spin-off, And Just Like That.
From paparazzi photos taken during filming, noticeable changes have been made to the characters’ personal styles — and fashion enthusiasts have had mixed reactions. According to fashion consultant Manu Carvalho for O Globo, Andy’s new style reflects both the changes that impacted the fashion world and the characters’ evolution over the past two decades:
Over these twenty years, we’ve seen the rise of less maximalist aesthetics, along with the strength of normcore and quiet luxury—without even mentioning the consequences of the pandemic.”
On the other hand, many fans of the original movie have criticized the minimalist approach, arguing that the outfits feel too contemporary and trend-driven, rather than timeless and editorial, like Patricia Field’s original designs. Since costumes are practically a main character in this film, it’s no surprise that strong opinions have emerged even before its release.
runway in a modern era
As seen in the trailer, little is known about the upcoming film. However, early insights suggest that the antagonist is no longer the jealous boyfriend, but a more pervasive force: new media. Miranda must face globalization and the decline of print media, both of which directly impact the authority and legacy she built with Runway.
The decline of print, the rise of influencers, and the acceleration of trend cycles all reshape Runway’s relevance — and Miranda’s power.
Now, the film critiques not only the social expectations imposed on women in the fashion industry, but also the evolving dynamics of capitalism, which demand that media adapt to the rapid rise and fall of trends. It also touches on the so-called “expiration date” placed on women in positions of power — such as Miranda Priestly — who are often pressured to step aside for someone younger, echoing themes already hinted at in the original film.
The iconic montage of Andy walking through New York City to Vogue by Madonna may be hard to top. That’s why the sequel is bringing in major names, featuring a new original song by Lady Gaga and Doechii.
the movie is a runway
Just as actors embrace method dressing for premieres and events, why shouldn’t audiences dress the part to watch The Devil Wears Prada 2? Of course, only with outfits that would earn Miranda Priestly’s approval.
Here are some looks to inspire your OOTD for the premiere:
Whether the movie will live up to audience expectations remains uncertain. Still, watching the sequel means revisiting an already iconic and timeless story — now through the lens of the real challenges facing the fashion world today.
The article above was edited by Larissa Olm.
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