photo credit: Grant Ruof
On May 2 an iconic sequel was released, nearly two decades after “The Devil Wears Prada” refined a generation’s views of fashion and power. This return has left many wondering how its iconic legacy will align with a new cultural movement.
The world that first embraced “The Devil Wears Prada” is not the one that will return to watch it. Today’s audiences have not experienced the workplace environment and lifestyle that the movie 20 years ago glamorized.
“It both glamorized work culture and critiqued it because Maryl Streep was very critical of her employees and protective of her magazine. On the other hand, it was glamorized by being filmed in NYC and dealing with fashion in general,” junior Isabel Francisco said.
What appeared to be a movie about clothing colors and fashion shows quickly revealed itself to have a stronger meaning. It focused on identity and what the price of belonging is in elite spaces with a power imbalance.
“Americans love an underdog. The main character conquered all the parts of work culture, social class and their own limitations and overcame them,” English Teacher Alicia Edwards said.
The movie’s take on the fashion industry left a huge legacy behind and that now sets the stage for the franchise’s next chapter. Many fans are excited to see how the screen writers took the same beloved characters and changed the environment to resemble life today. There has been a lot of anticipation for the film with actors such as Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Meryl Streep participating in many interviews and premieres showcasing their fashion.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how closely it resembles the first movie. They should focus on the social media, fashion bloggers, online shopping and influencers aspect of fashion because it wasn’t as relevant during the first movie,” Francisco said.
Fashion is a major topic throughout the franchise, and the original film ultimately reveals that fashion is influence. It structures the film and becomes a visual story telling device that carries the character’s growth as the film progresses.
“It sets the tone for a time period and cultural artifact. Sets up the view to immediately be given more information about the protagonist and antagonist,” Edwards said.
When the original movie was filmed, there was not the same technology and social media presence that there is today. Many people wonder how the film makers will take universal ideas relevant today and integrate them into the world of Miranda Priestly and Andy Sachs.
“Look at ‘Scream 7’! ‘Stranger Things.’ Seems like people love sequels, especially comedies. Most people watch a sequel knowing ahead of time that it won’t be at the same caliber as the first,” Edwards said.
Once a movie already has such a strong fan base and high expectations like “The Devil Wears Prada,” it can be challenging to create another film within the same franchise. While the same actors are coming back to reprise their roles, many are interested to see if the film will leave the same lasting impact as the original.
“Classic timeless themes like love, death and universal understandings, as well as a deep empathic connection with the audience. Also, rich aesthetically and accurate sets, authentic acting and editing that tells a great story,” Edwards said.
Long after the runway fades, figures like Miranda Priestly remain and remind audiences that power, much like fashion, is always evolving and is never an accident. From Anne Hathaway herself, go watch the new “Devil Wears Prada 2” in your cerulean blue if you haven’t already.
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