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Get ready to dive into the iconic fashion of "The Devil Wears Prada"! Join us as we explore the most fabulous behind-the-scenes secrets about the film's unforgettable costumes. From Miranda Priestly's commanding ensembles to Andy's stunning transformation, we're revealing the sartorial magic woven by Patricia Field, including designer reluctance, comfort shoes for the stars, and how a low budget still produced a million-dollar wardrobe thanks to industry connections. Discover the philosophy behind these timeless looks!
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00:00I remember that dress. It was, I think it was a Chanel sample.
00:03Welcome to Ms. Mojo. And today we're opening the wardrobe doors on the Devil Wears Prada
00:09and rifling through its high fashion behind the scenes secrets.
00:13Where are the advertisers?
00:15We have some pieces from Banana Republic.
00:17Well, we need more.
00:19Number 10. Patricia Field's Fashion Philosophy.
00:23Patricia Field created a visual legacy that still turns heads two decades on.
00:28Her guiding principle was aesthetic endurance.
00:32I feel like part of the reason why the Devil Wears Prada has such enduring power
00:35is because of the brilliance of the costume choices, and that's all Pat.
00:40Instead of chasing whatever was hot on the 2005 runways,
00:44Field dove deep into fashion's archives, cherry-picking classic silhouettes
00:48and mixing them with modern touches to create looks that felt both timeless and totally runway-ready.
00:54She worked hand-in-glove with the actors, using Meryl Streep's iconic white hair
00:59as a blank canvas for bold, high-contrast ensembles.
01:03My playing field is open.
01:06Against white, I could put black. I could put color. It's great.
01:11Field's anti-trend philosophy meant every outfit was an investment piece, not a fleeting statement.
01:17The result was a wardrobe that's as unforgettable as Miranda's withering stare.
01:21And honestly, we're still envious of every look.
01:32Number 9. Snug footwear
01:34You'd think the cast would be strutting in stilettos from dawn till dusk,
01:38but even fashion royalty needs a break.
01:41I don't think I need these.
01:43Miranda hired me. She knows what I look like.
01:45Do you?
01:46Emily Blunt has confessed that those sky-high heels weren't particularly comfortable.
01:51And Meryl Streep wasn't exactly thrilled about spending 16 weeks teetering around in designer
01:56pumps either.
01:57So what's a fashionista to do between takes?
02:00Slip into a pair of cozy shoes like Uggs, of course.
02:03Any chance, Meryl and I, I know we were in Uggs most of the shots from the waist up.
02:08But Annie was, and this is New York, Cobblestone Street.
02:12I remember you just tripping around, just, you were like a sure-footed little mountain goat.
02:17Whenever the camera only caught them from the waist up, both actresses ditched the couture for comfort,
02:22giving their feet a much-needed reprieve.
02:25Honestly, is there anything more satisfying than kicking off your heels after a long day?
02:29We're pretty sure Miranda Priestly would have none of it, but we totally approve.
02:43That's all.
02:44Number 8. How Stanley Tucci found his inner Nigel
02:47For some actors, the magic happens the moment they slip into costume.
02:51And for Stanley Tucci, Nigel's wardrobe was the secret sauce.
02:55I was cast at the 11th hour.
02:59By my friend, Ellen Lewis, who I'm still angry at.
03:04And it was just such a beautiful piece of writing, and there's no way that you could ever say no
03:12to such a thing.
03:13With only three days to prep before cameras rolled, Tucci dove headfirst into Fields' treasure trove of flamboyant suits and
03:20statement accessories.
03:21She encouraged him to experiment with looks he'd never dream up on his own.
03:26And suddenly, Nigel's signature blend of confidence and camp came to life.
03:30All right, we'll turn this for you.
03:33And...
03:34A poncho.
03:35You'll take what I give you and you'll like it.
03:37Those razor-sharp suits and bold flourishes weren't just for show.
03:41They became Nigel's armor, his calling card, and the key to unlocking a character who could steal a scene with
03:48a single arched eyebrow.
03:49And what they did, what they created, was greater than art.
03:55Because you live your life in it.
03:58Well, not you, obviously.
04:00Number 7. Producers auctioned off the wardrobe for charity.
04:04If you ever dreamed of raiding the runway closet and had some cash burning a hole in your designer pocket,
04:09this 2006 auction was your golden ticket.
04:12Everybody wants this.
04:16Everybody wants to be us.
04:18Most of the film's outfits hit the auction block for charity, all thanks to Meryl Streep's idea,
04:24which also saved the costume department from turning into a mall on Black Friday morning.
04:29This is sold out everywhere. Where did you get this?
04:31Miranda didn't want it, so...
04:34Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no. This bag is at $1,900. I cannot take this from you.
04:38The proceeds went to Dress for Success, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and Equality Now.
04:44Anne Hathaway's then-boyfriend even snagged her that vintage green coat.
04:48And we believe Streep kept a signature accessory for herself.
04:52If only we'd had a little more money, money, money, we could have owned a piece of cinematic-style history.
04:57Oh, things I could do if I had a little money.
05:06It's a rich-house world.
05:08Number 6. Finding Emily's Look.
05:11Finding Emily's identity through her look reveals a character defined by edgy ambition and perfectionism.
05:17Andrea, runway is a fashion magazine, so an interest in fashion is crucial.
05:23Unlike Andy's classic Chanel or Miranda's power suits,
05:27Emily's style is curated using designers like Vivian Westwood and Rick Owens
05:32that can be described as avant-garde and out on the edge.
05:35Her silhouettes feature sharp shoulders, architectural necklines,
05:39and waist-cinching corset belts that act as armor.
05:42Andrea, you don't understand.
05:45If you get fired, that might jeopardize Paris for me,
05:47and if that happens, I will search every blimpies in the tri-state area until I track you back.
05:52This aesthetic, paired with smoky eyes, reflects her workaholic energy and desperation for status.
05:58To Emily, fashion isn't just a job. It's a discipline.
06:01Her look signals a woman who breathes, eats, and sleeps fashion
06:05while using clothing to project an authoritative exterior that's one cube of cheese away from collapse.
06:11Well, I'm on this new diet. It's very effective.
06:13Well, I don't eat anything.
06:14And when I feel like I'm about to faint, I eat a cube of cheese.
06:18Well, it's definitely working.
06:20I know. I'm just one stomach flew away from my galle weight.
06:23Number 5. Miranda Priestly had over 60 distinct costumes.
06:27Miranda Priestly doesn't just walk into a room.
06:30She commands it, and her wardrobe is every bit as iconic as her icy stare.
06:34You have no style or sense of fashion.
06:38Well, um, I think that depends on what you're...
06:43No, no. That wasn't a question.
06:46Field pulled out all the stops, decking Streep in over 60 unique looks throughout the film.
06:51Each ensemble is a master class in power dressing,
06:54from those legendary coats to razor-sharp suits that practically announce her arrival before she utters a word.
07:00Where's that piece of paper I had in my hand yesterday morning?
07:04Girls need new surfboards or boogie boards or something for spring break.
07:08It's a visual symphony of authority and elegance, meticulously curated to reflect Miranda's unspoken dominance over the runway universe.
07:16Every outfit tells its own story, cementing her status as both a fashion deity and the ultimate boss.
07:23And, of course, everyone, including John Krasinski, has a favorite look.
07:27John, one day I came home and he was watching it.
07:31And he was watching the montage bit and he goes,
07:40Andy's transformation from frumpy assistant to full-blown fashionista is one of cinema's most satisfying glow-ups.
07:47And Chanel was the fairy godmother behind the magic.
07:50Okay, now, Chanel, you're in desperate need of Chanel.
07:52Yeah, darling, shall we?
07:55Field revealed that the legendary French house jumped at the chance to dress Anne Hathaway,
07:59seeing it as the perfect way to introduce their brand to a new generation.
08:03The result was some of Andy's most iconic looks,
08:06like that black Chanel blazer and those unforgettable Phi High boots,
08:10which radiated confidence and style.
08:13Are you wearing the Chanel boots?
08:15Yeah, I am.
08:19You look good.
08:20Field herself said that when Chanel came on board,
08:23she breathed a sigh of relief as she checked one challenge off her to-do list.
08:27And we'll see why she was probably so relieved soon.
08:31So, what do you think?
08:35Ah, I think we better get out of here before my girlfriend sees you.
08:40Number 3.
08:42Donna Karan set the base of Miranda's wardrobe.
08:45Field set out to give Miranda a look that would never go out of style.
08:49And she knew better than to just copy Anna Wintour.
08:52So you don't read Runway?
08:55Uh, no.
08:56And before today, you had never heard of me?
09:01No.
09:02After watching How Streep Moved,
09:04Field realized that Donna Karan's early designs were the secret weapon she needed.
09:08Karen's pieces, famous for their strong shoulders and cinched waists,
09:13were made for women who meant business.
09:15You, that impressive resume and the big speech about your so-called work ethic.
09:22I, um, I thought you would be different.
09:25Her 7 Easy Pieces collection was a game-changer for working women,
09:29and it fit Miranda's corporate reign perfectly.
09:32With explicit permission to rifle through the Donna Karan archives,
09:35Field hand-picked pieces that felt timeless,
09:37ensuring Miranda's wardrobe was as unique and commanding as the woman herself.
09:42Do I smell Frisians?
09:44What?
09:45No.
09:47I, I specifically told them that-
09:49If I see Frisians anywhere,
09:53I will be very disappointed.
09:56Number 2.
09:57Designers were reluctant to contribute.
10:00The Devil Wears Prada's not-so-subtle nods to Vogue's Anna Wintour
10:03sent shockwaves through the fashion world,
10:06and reportedly made things tricky behind the scenes.
10:09What was the most challenging woman you ever played?
10:12Hmm.
10:14Oh, I should say-
10:16No.
10:16No, we're not going there, Meryl.
10:18Cast and crew have spilled that designers were genuinely scared to get involved,
10:22worried that helping out would land them on Winter's blacklist,
10:25and banish them from Vogue's glossy pages.
10:28I had an enormous trouble finding anyone in the fashion world who would talk to me
10:33because people were afraid of Anna and Vogue and not wanting to be blackballed.
10:37And there was one person who spoke to me, whose name I will never divulge,
10:42who read it and said to me,
10:44The people in this movie are too nice.
10:47No one in that world is too nice.
10:49They don't have to be, and they don't have time to be.
10:52Director David Frankel and Field both recalled how the usual red carpet of designer support
10:57suddenly rolled up tight.
10:59Apparently, it took Prada itself stepping in to give everyone the green light,
11:03reassuring the industry that there'd be no Vogue vendetta.
11:06And in the ultimate plot twist, Anna Wintour showed up to the premiere in Prada.
11:11So, no hard feelings, right?
11:12And she sat right in front of me and David with Bea, her daughter,
11:16and wore Prada, which obviously shows she has a great sense of humor.
11:20And I think she understood that the movie was respectful of fashion
11:23and kind of elevated that and was very, you know, serious about women in the workplace.
11:31Number one, Patricia Field's industry connections saved the wardrobe.
11:35The Devil Wears Prada's wardrobe didn't just look like a million bucks.
11:39It actually was.
11:40David coming into our office sort of regularly,
11:43and I'm writing a montage, and I'm writing another montage,
11:47and I'm like, ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching.
11:50And that's not even counting the accessories.
11:52That Fred Leighton necklace was a cool $10,000 alone.
11:56With a costume budget of just $100,000,
12:00Field worked her fashion world magic,
12:02calling in favors and cashing in on years of goodwill
12:05to assemble a closet worth over $1 million.
12:08That blue represents millions of dollars and countless jobs.
12:12And it's sort of comical how you think that you've made a choice
12:16that exempts you from the fashion industry,
12:18when in fact, you're wearing a sweater that was selected for you
12:22by the people in this room from a pile of stuff.
12:26Designers like Chanel, Donna Karan, and Valentino,
12:29who famously also made a cameo,
12:32lent or donated pieces without the usual product placement agreements required.
12:36Field's resourcefulness and vision turned a shoestring budget
12:40into pure couture gold.
12:42If that's not Miranda Priestly-level genius,
12:45we don't know what is.
12:46You still don't get it, do you?
12:48Her opinion is the only one that matters.
12:50Did we miss any of your favorite fashion tidbits from the film?
12:53Let us know in the comments.
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