Florals for spring? If you’ve seen The Devil Wears Prada, you already know that this isn’t groundbreaking. So when Disney asked me to style the New York press junket for The Devil Wears Prada 2, where journalists would be interviewing Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and other cast members from the film, I knew I had to put my best stiletto-heeled foot forward.
My sartorial challenge: I needed to style a real-life version of the Runway closet, the wardrobe where Hathaway’s character, the ambitious but fashionably challenged Andy Sachs, received a makeover. Journalists would be trying on the clothes and wearing them to interview Streep and Hathaway. So how do you dress an event for arguably one of the most fashion-forward films of our generation?
I’ve worked as a professional stylist for two decades – like Andy, I started in the fashion industry as an intern in New York City. When the original film came out, I related to Andy and her resourcefulness: I once assembled an impromptu eyeglasses chain from a clear rubber band and necklace because a photographer needed it in 30 minutes. Another time, I fixed a model’s heel with Shoe Goo right before she stepped in front of camera. (It’s a strong shoe glue and a stylist staple.)
For this event, I wanted to find items that felt very much in line with what Patricia Field or Molly Rogers, the costume designers for the first and second films, respectively, would have styled the characters in. Thankfully, I knew exactly where to look.
Where I source my vintage designer finds
As a stylist, I’ve relied on the secondhand designer reseller What Goes Around Comes Around for years. Founded in 1993 in New York, it’s one of those if-you-know-you-know spots for pre-owned designer finds, beloved by stylists and vintage lovers. It carries men and women’s clothing, handbags, wallets, watches and more. The 90s style icon Carolyn Bessette Kennedy allegedly even bought her jeans through WGACA back in the day.
Gucci Blue Leather GG Marmont Card Case
Levi’s 501 Red Line
I sourced all 150 pieces for the junket entirely from What Goes Around Comes Around, including outfits inspired by its main characters. (I’m not being paid by WGACA for this; it is truly my ultimate recommendation for secondhand designer gems.)
How I styled Andy’s menswear-inspired look
At the event, Rogers shared how she outfitted characters for the second film. She stayed true to Field’s vision from the original movie: Andy’s look nods to Annie Hall with tailored menswear and a feminine edge; her fellow assistant Emily’s is sharper, with a high-strung elegance that mirrors her intensity; and Runway editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly’s commands quietly through clean lines and authority.
Prada Navy Nylon Convertible Buckle Handbag
In the same spirit, I pulled a tweed Chanel jacket to display for Andy. It had woven contrast stitching that felt a bit like her post-makeover style in the first film, nodding to her academic days. I paired it with a navy Chanel jumpsuit featuring button details, which suits her busy life, transitioning seamlessly from the office to dinner.
Chanel Brown Tortoise Sunglasses
How I styled Emily’s edgy look
The beauty of What Goes Around Comes Around is that you can find the most unique pieces sourced from all over the world, and each is a piece of history. Every item comes with a QR code providing information, often including the year or collection it came from. Some resale platforms have been known to sell fakes, but WGACA’s picks are authenticated by actual humans.
Chanel Blue Mosaic Silk Scarf
For Emily’s character, played by Emily Blunt, I found a gorgeous McQueen pencil skirt dress and topped it with a Cavalli leather jacket, which featured a snake detail on the buckle. Both pieces felt very fitting for the character, as her edgy and almost sexy attire in the films seemed akin to armor for her. I would also give her a Dior bag like this one that reflects her professional yet dark, avant garde style.
Dior Black Leather Saddle Bag
How I styled Miranda’s queenly look
As Rogers put it, Miranda commanded a room without being too loud with her outfits. Her aesthetic was fun to style. I found an impeccably tailored black McQueen suit with subtle texture, as well as a bold red Gucci coat to top it with (or perhaps throw on an assistant’s desk). I also grabbed a Chanel sequined red and black scuba jacket that supermodel Linda Evangelista wore on the cover of Vogue in 1991, which felt very Miranda.
Chanel Sequined Blazer
If you’re hunting for a pre-owned designer gem, my best advice is to go in with an open mind and avoid getting swept up in logos, actually. While some finds are attractive because of the designer name, some of the best are from lesser-known designers. Opting for a luxury brand that isn’t mainstream is also a great way to get the designer look without looking (or spending) like everyone else.
Vintage Japanese Patterned Men’s Shirt
One of my favorite finds from WGACA was a Thierry Mugler black leather fringe dress. Mugler was a designer prominent in the 80s and 90s, known for his powerful, angular and almost futuristic silhouettes. I paired my Mugler fringe dress with an ivory Chanel jacket for a twist on an office-friendly look. I completed it with a vintage Chanel belt, which I fashioned into a necklace. Wearing luxury finds unexpectedly is another fabulous way to maximize their use.
Chanel Silver ‘CC’ Chain Belt 2
I also pulled quite a few blazers and jackets that some journalists even wore to their interviews with the cast. One reporter wore a pink tweed Chanel jacket (an alternative linked) to meet with Streep and Hathaway, and I heard it was the first thing Streep noticed and asked him about. And that – getting a nod from Miranda Priestly herself – is possibly a stylist’s highest compliment.
Other pieces you might enjoy from the Filter, the Guardian’s guide to buying fewer, better things:
