vol.42: 'the devil wears prada 2' is a cute check-in on some beloved characters

a really wholesome sequel <333

Apr 30, 2026

It is a truth universally acknowledged that journalism jobs.. are almost always in jeopardy and layoffs are a natural part of your career trajectory. And such is the case in ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’, where award winning investigative journalist Andy Sachs (Hathaway) - two decades on from her Runway stint as Miranda Priestley’s assistant - is sacked from her newspaper (right after winning an award!) and heads back to… Runway Magazine as a features editor!!

[I love this transition from Serious Journalist to Fashion Editor so I hold out hope for myself yet.. maybe!!!]

‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ is directed by David Frankel and stars Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, Justin Theroux, Lucy Liu, Simone Ashley

This film is set 20 years after the original, and it feels like a lifetime ago, as director David Frankel says in the film’s press kit:

“The world of print journalism changed. The world changed. To put things in perspective, the first iPhone didn’t come out until a year after the first movie debuted, and I think that was sort of the beginning of the end. And as we saw the world of print journalism continue its decline year after year, it made sense to explore this change and develop a story where these characters ended up interacting again.”

Though the film is aspirational (with caveats), a lot of this sequel is steeped in realism. At the film’s fictional Runway magazine, that means lower budgets no more first/business class travel, location shoots are rare and no longer the norm, production values are lower, and the magazine is digital only.

Page view metrics and social post virality are also the bedrock of content and are equated with value. I loved how modern the themes are and it’s so relevant to what the publishing and journalism industries are going through today and cuts to the heart of many writers’ anxieties (myself included!!).

“So much has changed in the magazine world, in the publishing world, in journalism writ large. The business has vaporized in a way where everybody’s trying to figure out how to make it work. And it’s in that atmosphere that tension comes in and plot comes in, and all the things that people have to do to keep the ship afloat,” Meryl Streep says in the film’s production notes.

It’s 20 years on but the characters are familiar and watching this felt like slipping into an old pair of slippers - warm and cozy. Miranda (Streep) is still running Runway, Nigel (Tucci) a loyal foot soldier is plugging away, while Andy is the incoming features editor and Emily (Blunt) is now a senior exec at Dior (!!). They’re all thrust together again with new personalities including Bridgerton’s Simone Ashley as Miranda’s newest assistant who helps keep her UNCANCELLED and less problematic, Justin Theroux as Benji - Emily’s girlfriend and an investor, and Australia’s Patrick Brammall who play’s Andy’s love interest Pete. Another Australian - comedian Ronnie Chieng also makes a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo at Miranda’s house in the Hamptons.

Pete is a highlight - he keeps his Australian accent which is crazy refreshing. One of my bug bears are Australian actors doing non-Australian accents - I think just let us be!! And there’s one scene in ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ that is the most accurate depiction of Australian life I have ever seen in a film. This occurs when Andy and Pete are at a party for an executive and Pete spots a fellow Aussie and he JUST HAS TO go say hi because Australians overseas always have to say hi to each other or it “becomes a whole thing”. (the Australian in question is Hugh Jackman) but this is so relevant and true!! Never have I ever felt seen so clearly!!!! I love that this scene was kept in a Hollywood movie!!! <333

‘The Devil Wears Prada’ of course became a cultural phenomenon when it was released in 2006, and this sequel has a drastically bigger budget (US$100m vs US$35-$40m for the first). This has translated to upwards of 47 outfit changes for Andy Sachs in the film, 28 for Miranda, and designer clothes for the supporting cast from brands including Valentino, Tom Ford, Chanel, Dior, Fendi, Dolce & Gabanna and Coach. Miranda also notably wears Armani in Milan, as a tribute to the Italian designer Georgio Armani who passed away last September. Two key looks for Andy and Miranda which I loved:

1. Archival vest and pants from Jean Paul Gaultier, Saint Laurent booties, ring from Tarin Thomas, and Coach messenger bag// 2. Black velvet pant with beaded striped suspenders from Armani Privé and Nikos Koulis jewellery.

1. Dries Van Noten jacket, lavender Libertine blouse, Gabriela Hearst skirt and Gucci heels// 2. Armani Privé jeweled evening duster with a blouse from Oud, Carolina Herrera pants, and YSL heels.

I think I preferred this film to the first because the male characters aren’t shitty boyfriends trying to undercut Andy’s talent and ambition!!! It’s also validating to see a struggling industry portrayed so realistically on screen. This is a fun film you watch for the fashion, but it’s surprisingly super wholesome with some decent payoffs. It’s definitely a worthy sequel and a cute check in on some beloved characters two decades later. That’s all!!!