A first look before the long-awaited sequel hits screens …
For The Devil Wears Prada, the 2026 film based on the novel by Lauren Weisberger, former assistant to Vogue’s Anna Wintour, designers and fashion industry insiders were hesitant to take part – apparently for fear of retribution by Wintour herself. The Devil Wears Prada 2 couldn’t be more different. According to costume designer Molly Rogers (who also worked with Patricia Field on the original), fashion brands were scrambling to be included.
The house of Dior has a major role. A star-studded line-up of special guest appearances includes designers Marc Jacobs, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, and Donatella Versace. Brands are conveniently name-checked when pulling from the fashion closet: Ulla Johnson, Toteme, Brunello Cuccinelli. At the European premiere in London, a steady run of fashion editors and designers flowed down the red carpet, and the city was overrun by billboards and red buses claiming the film is “the fashion event of the year”.
Following screenings in Leicester Square, a Runway themed after party was thrown at the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, attended by THE GLOSS. In The Barry Rooms, with stunning domed ceiling and marble columns surrounded by 17th- and 18th-century paintings by Turner and Claude, the fashion world gathered over arty displays of canapés and copious amounts of Moët Champagne to discuss the long-awaited sequel, and admire a fashion show staged by the aforementioned costume designer Molly Rogers.
Donatella Versace made an entrance, of course. Nicky Hilton, actress Vanessa Williams, Burberry designer Daniel Lee, and authors Elizabeth Day and Lauren Weisberger were among the guests. A group of Vogue editors was spotted huddling in a cordoned-off area. Cast members Simone Ashley and Caleb Hearon arrived after walking the red carpet, as well as director David Frankel.
All of the main cast members have returned: Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt have put on a united front at press events, cooing over how nice it’s been to have “the family” back together. They are joined by new characters, assistants (new “Emilys”) Amari and Charli, played by Simone Ashley and Caleb Hearon, and Stuart, Miranda Priestly’s new violinist husband, played by Kenneth Branagh.
Lady Gaga makes a surprise appearance. As does (somewhat bizarrely) Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica Stoll. When asked how this particular cameo came about, director David Frankel explained that McIlroy had been quoted as saying that he spent the night before his 2025 Masters win watching the original film. Frankel, who was in production for the sequel, reached out and asked if he’d like to take part.
The film, set 20 years after the original, centres around the turbulent world of journalism and media as the industry landscape has seen monumental shifts in the intervening years, with slashed budgets (Miranda has to fly economy!), culled workforces and a pivot to digital. It follows the fictional Runway’s inevitable transition into a media entity, rather than simply a magazine – Nigel remarks that Runway “hasn’t been just a magazine” in a long time.
Andy (Anne Hathaway) makes a surprise return into the fold as features editor when her position as a hard-hitting investigative journalist at a newspaper is terminated as the paper is shuttered. Miranda quips that Runway’s September issue is “so thin you could floss with it”, commenting on the dearth of ads, and urges Andy to find stories that will get clicks rather than focusing on the human interest stories she’s interested in.
What follows is a story where hierarchies have changed, positions are compromised and where the “tech bros” step in to try and save the day. Without giving too much away, Benji Barnes (Justin Theroux), a hybrid Jeff Bezos-meets-Elon Musk style character, attempts to purchase the magazine for his scheming girlfriend.
Fans of the original need not be worried – while the storyline isn’t groundbreaking, it will please audiences. Miranda has softened with time. Emily is as ambitious as ever. Andy, while still naïve, earns her place at the magazine. Nigel gets the validation that he has quietly craved all these years. The costumes (Valentino Rockstuds! A tassel-adorned jacket by Dries Van Noten. Gloves by Irish designer Paula Rowan. Everything from Armani Privé and Balenciaga to archive Jean Paul Gaultier, and more recent brands like Khaite to Phoebe Philo) are a feast for the eyes. And yes – the cerulean blue jumper makes a comeback. That’s all …
