Fashion’s biggest film is returning for a second look. Hitting theaters May 1, “The Devil Wears Prada 2” has very large shoes to fill — and they’re strictly Chanel.
“The Devil Wears Prada” was released in 2006 and remains endlessly rewatchable due to its irreplaceable cast, quotable script and iconic designer costumes.
In the original film, Meryl Streep stars as Miranda Priestly, the editor-in-chief of the fashion magazine, Runway. Emily Blunt plays Miranda’s assistant, Emily, and Anne Hathaway plays the film’s protagonist, Andy, an aspiring journalist interviewing for the position of second assistant.
Andy’s evolution throughout the film is shown not only through her actions, but also through her wardrobe, as the film’s costuming creates unforgettable fashion moments while portraying character development.
The film begins with a montage of Runway’s employees getting ready for work, applying makeup, slipping on stilettos and hailing cabs, to the nostalgic sound of “Suddenly I See,” by KT Tunstall.
Andy is immediately set apart — she doesn’t style her hair, wears lip balm instead of lipstick, throws on an ill-fitted beige coat and takes the subway to her interview. When Andy arrives, Emily looks at her and says, “Human resources certainly has an odd sense of humor.”
Although Andy has “no style or sense of fashion,” Miranda takes a chance on her precisely because she isn’t fashionable. She is plain but smart, determined and likely to focus on work.
On her first day, Andy wears the infamous cerulean sweater paired with a beige midi skirt, also known as the “hideous skirt convention” skirt, along with, yes, you’re reading this correctly, clogs — looking completely out of place among the glamour of Runway.
Andy is completely hopeless. She can’t even spell Gabanna and has no respect for the fashion industry, which is evident when she calls fashion “stuff” in a meeting with Miranda, prompting Miranda to deliver the film’s most iconic monologue.
Miranda corrects Andy, explaining that her “lumpy blue sweater” is actually cerulean and the direct result of decisions made by people in the very room she is standing in.
Still, Andy shows up in dull clothes, zero accessories and unbrushed hair, continuing to disappoint Miranda. On the verge of a breakdown, Andy asks for help from Nigel, Runway’s creative director, played by Stanley Tucci.
Nigel tells Andy that she isn’t really trying; if she were, she’d dress the part. In the next scene, Andy walks into the office wearing a chic Chanel blazer, a Fendi purse and the iconic thigh-high Chanel boots, looking like she has just stepped off the runway and leaving Emily speechless.
In cinema’s most iconic montage, Andy struts through the streets of Manhattan in a series of designer looks, including head-to-toe Chanel and snakeskin pieces, styled with matching gloves, trench coats and pumps. The scene is soundtracked by Madonna’s “Vogue,” a not-so-subtle nod to the magazine that inspired the film.
Later, while attending a charity benefit for Runway, Andy wears a beautiful John Galliano gown, its black silk fabric complemented with lace trim, sling-back stilettos and a gorgeous updo — one of her best looks of the film.
With her new chic wardrobe, Andy gains confidence and excels at work, realizing “there is more to Runway than just fancy purses.” Impressed, Miranda invites Andy to join her in Paris for fashion week, taking the spot that Emily worked so hard for. Though hesitant, Andy accepts.
The more designer clothes Andy wears and the more time she spends at work, the more cutthroat she becomes. She barely has time for her friends outside of work, and after taking Emily’s spot in Paris, she tells her, “You sold your soul the day you put on that first pair of Jimmy Choos.”
Touching down in Paris, Andy attends fashion shows looking more stylish than ever, wearing fur, Louis Vuitton, Moschino and smokey eyeshadow. While she’s there, Nigel informs Andy that he is up for a creative director job at designer James Holt’s company, and Miranda is going to announce it at a gala the following day.
Andy attends the gala dressed in a dark green Louis Vuitton gown, featuring a ruffled skirt and styled with black gloves, red lipstick and a velvet clutch — très chic.
At the gala, Miranda shocks everyone when she announces that Jacqueline Follet, her nemesis, will take the creative director role instead of Nigel.
Miranda gives the job to Jacqueline after learning she was attempting to take her position as editor-in-chief of Runway. When Andy expresses her disappointment, saying, “I couldn’t do what you did to Nigel, Miranda, I couldn’t do something like that,” Miranda responds, “You already did, to Emily.”
Andy realizes she has done the same thing to Emily by taking her place in Paris. Seeing the effect that Miranda has had on her life, Andy quits Runway right then and there.
After Paris, Andy returns to New York and takes a job at a local magazine, beginning anew. Although she has freed herself from the negatives of Runway, she still carries her newfound sense of style with her.
“The Devil Wears Prada” uses Andy’s wardrobe to portray her immersion into Runway’s toxic culture. The more Chanel tweed and Gucci skirts Andy wore, the more she fell into Runway’s toxic environment, proving the devil truly does wear Prada.
“The Devil Wears Prada 2” has a lot to live up to. I hope to hear more iconic one-liners from Emily, signature eye-rolls from Miranda Priestley and, of course, see Andy in head-to-toe Chanel.
