The Devil Wears Prada 2: Does the Industry Really Dress Like the Movies?

When “The Devil Wears Prada” was released in 2006, it became a cultural phenomenon, grossing over $300 million and earning Meryl Streep an Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of the formidable Miranda Priestly. While critics and audiences adored the sharp satire of the fashion world, industry insiders were famously less impressed.

The film's costumes—designed by Patricia Field—were a major point of contention. Fashion veterans at the time described the head-to-toe Chanel ensembles and oversized furs as a caricature. Plum Sykes, a longtime Vogue contributing editor, recalls the industry’s "snobbish" reaction to Andy Sachs’ post-makeover look. Specifically, she cites the over-the-knee Chanel boots as a "gopping error"—a British term for a glaring mistake. According to Sykes, a real Vogue editor of that era would have mixed designers, pairing Manolo Blahnik heels with a Prada skirt and a vintage fur stole rather than wearing a single brand's logo from top to bottom.

Two decades later, the narrative has shifted. As the highly anticipated sequel, 'The Devil Wears Prada 2,' arrives in theaters this Friday, the fashion world has fully embraced director David Frankel’s "funhouse" vision of their industry. Anna Wintour—once the elusive inspiration for Miranda Priestly—is now at the center of the film's marketing, appearing alongside Meryl Streep on the May 2026 cover of Vogue.

The sequel’s costume designer, Molly Rogers, notes that brands were far more eager to participate this time around, leading to a wardrobe that feels like a "heightened reality." In the new film, Emily Blunt’s character has ascended to a senior executive role at Dior, while Anne Hathaway’s Andy returns to Runway as features editor. The film also tackles the modern media landscape, featuring influencer-favorite brands like Toteme and Gabriela Hearst.

However, even with the industry’s cooperation, the costumes haven't escaped scrutiny. A trailer showing Miranda wearing Valentino Rockstud heels—a style that peaked over a decade ago—sparked immediate online controversy among fashion purists.

Despite the debate, global box office projections for the sequel sit at a staggering $200 million for its opening weekend, proving that the world is still hungry for Miranda Priestly’s brand of cerulean-tinted authority.

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