'The Devil Wears Prada 2' Is Playing the Long Game With Fashion
Fashion
Costume designer Molly Rogers has taken over costuming from the legendary Patricia Field, and her approach is less about viral moments than it is about creating looks that will stand the test of time.
If the original “The Devil Wears Prada” was about the shock of entering the fashion industry’s inner circle as an outsider, its sequel is about what happens when you’ve learned the rules—and decide which ones are worth keeping.
In “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” costume designer Molly Rogers sits at the helm of the sartorial ship after years of collaborating with legendary costume designer Patricia Field, and her approach is less about viral moments than it is about longevity. While Rogers may be the woman responsible for the much-discussed JW Anderson pigeon purse moment in “And Just Like That,” she knew that there was no room for such irreverence within the walls of Miranda Priestley’s Runway. Instead, in the highly anticipated sequel, she strives to continue the legacy of the first film by creating timeless looks.
“Things needed to not be part of a trend,” Rogers says in production notes provided by 20th Century Studios. “I really had to pull back on pieces I knew wouldn’t hold up for the next 20 years, no matter how much it hurt to send some items back. The looks needed to last.”
Anne Hathaway in "The Devil Wears Prada 2".
20th Century Studios
Andy Sachs: Feminine Menswear Rewritten
For the sequel, Rogers had two words splashed across the pages of her lookbook for Anne Hathaway’s Andy Sachs: Feminine Menswear. Channelling the easygoing tailoring of Katharine Hepburn and Diane Keaton in “Annie Hall,” Rogers dressed Hathaway primarily in vests, blazers, and high-waisted pants.
As a globe-trotting reporter, Andy shops like one. Vintage and consignment finds are woven through her wardrobe alongside pieces from Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Loewe, Tom Ford, and Saint Laurent—all styled with Andy's trusty Coach messenger bag. Together, these give the impression of a woman who enjoys fashion without being consumed by it.
And then there is the cerulean sweater from Andy’s humble beginnings as Miranda’s assistant which makes a return—this time without the soup stain. For the callback, Rogers replicated the sweater instead of unearthing the original from the archives (because of said soup stain), allowing her to upcycle it into a new piece for Andy.
Miranda Priestly: A Powerful Uniform
Meryl Streep in "The Devil Wears Prada 2".
20th Century Studios
With Miranda’s cropped jacket and pencil skirt blueprint of the first film in mind, Rogers came to the second film with a clear roadmap for the fictional EIC. She wanted to maintain the silhouette, but update it ever so slightly. Likening Miranda to the designer Karl Lagerfeld, who was fastidious about maintaining a day-to-day uniform, Rogers made sure Miranda never strayed too far from the familiar. She sourced pieces from Dries Van Noten, Sa Su Phi, Carolina Herrera, Libertine, and Gabriela Hearst to fill out Miranda’s working wardrobe.
Outside of the office, audiences see Miranda don an Armani Privé jeweled duster during a scene set in Milan—an homage to the legendary Italian designer who passed away during filming. One of the only custom-made pieces for the film is Miranda’s red Balenciaga ballgown, designed by creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli shortly after he took over from Demna.
Perhaps most surprising of all is that Miranda’s key accessory comes not from an archive, but a pharmacy. The silver hoop earrings worn throughout were actually purchased by Meryl Streep at a CVS. When Streep showed Rogers them at her first fitting, Rogers agreed that, despite their modest price point, they were perfect as they didn’t pull focus from Miranda’s iconic hairstyle, nor did they disappear beneath it.
Emily Charlton: Fashion Unleashed
Emily Blunt in "The Devil Wears Prada 2".
20th Century Studios
In a senior position at Dior in the sequel, Emily has the fashion industry at her fingertips—and that reflected Roger’s own experience dressing Emily Blunt for the role. For the first film, the character’s wardrobe was entirely sourced from Century 21. This time around, every shopper on Roger’s team wanted to source designer looks for Emily, knowing that they could push the envelope for her character.
The result is a wardrobe that is both fun and edgy. Emily is seen wearing thigh-high Louboutin boots during lunch, a vintage Dior beret to a memorial, and even archival Jean Paul Gaultier overalls to a construction site.
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Nigel and the Assistants: Understated Yet Impactful
Stanley Tucci and Anne Hathaway in "The Devil Wears Prada 2".
20th Century Studios
Stanley Tucci’s Nigel, as ever, is about polish. Three-piece suiting from Dolce & Gabbana, Richard James Savile Row, and Zegna reinforce his role as the film’s male fashion authority, alongside pieces from Giorgio Armani, Tom Ford, Berwich, Pucci, Paul Stuart, and Turnbull & Asser.
Around him, the assistants of Runway do their best to look good while also keeping their heads above water. Simone Ashley’s Amari opts for Galvin and Thom Browne in the office, but goes big with archival Gaultier for the gala. Meanwhile, Caleb Hearon is dressed in custom shirts from the likes of Louis Vuitton, tailored fit for an assistant chained to his desk all day.
