The Devil Wears Prada 2: From 2006’s Trends to 2026’s Digital Dominance – A Costume Design Deep Dive

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The fashion world is buzzing, and for good reason! “The Devil Wears Prada 2” is officially in production. Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, and Emily Blunt are back in their iconic roles, making our fashion-loving hearts race. With the release date set for May 1, 2026, one big question fans have is: How will the costumes showcase the dramatic changes in fashion from 2006 to the digital-focused landscape of 2026?

The original film came out in 2006 and captured the essence of early 2000s high fashion. It featured skinny scarves, statement belts, Juicy Couture tracksuits (even if we didn’t see Miranda in one), and an early awareness of digital media’s effects on the industry. Fast forward to now, and the fashion scene has changed completely. This is where “DWP2″‘s costume design will truly dazzle.

Anne Hathaway in the set for The Devils Wears Prada 2

Photo credit: W Magazine

The Fashion World Is Watching, Again

Nearly two decades after it first graced our screens, The Devil Wears Prada is still one of the most memorable fashion films ever made. In 2006, it provided a sharp look into the intersection of high fashion and media power. Now, The Devil Wears Prada 2, set for release in 2026, aims to do the same. This time, the film reflects an industry reshaped by digital disruption, AI, sustainability, and the rapid rise of social media.

While the original film’s strength relied heavily on its story and unforgettable performances, it was the costume design led by Patricia Field that gave the film its lasting impact. In the sequel, Oscar-winning costume designer Jacqueline Durran takes over, mixing timeless elegance with a futuristic touch.

This deep dive looks at the significant changes in costume design, comparing the finely tailored fashion of 2006 to the bold, digital-first style of 2026.

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2006: Defining the Fashion Film Aesthetic

Let’s turn back the clock to 2006. The fashion scene was very different back then. Instagram wasn’t a thing yet, and magazines like Runway (standing in for Vogue) still had cultural clout. A young Andy Sachs entered a world filled with chiffon scarves, six-inch stilettos, and designer tote bags.

Patricia Field’s styling set the stage for the fashion of the 2000s:

Crisp tailoring from Chanel, Calvin Klein, and Donna Karan

Logo-heavy accessories (remember that iconic Chanel necklace?)

Thigh-high boots, fitted turtlenecks, and waist-cinching belts

Bold editorial colors contrasted with monochromatic power looks

Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) became a symbol of minimalist sophistication with her silver-white bob, icy glare, and sharply tailored jackets, reshaping how female power was portrayed in fashion. Andy (Anne Hathaway) underwent a visual journey that reflected her personal growth, transforming from oversized sweaters to chic, fashion-forward outfits.

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Photo credit: Instagram

2026: Reimagining Fashion in a Digital World

The sequel is more than just a follow-up; it’s a commentary on how quickly fashion has evolved. The Devil Wears Prada 2 shows a world where clothing means more than just fabric—it now incorporates data, ethics, and digital identity.

Jacqueline Durran’s vision embraces this change, creating a visual language that reflects fashion’s history, present, and future.

Key Costume Themes in the Sequel:

1. Digital Couture & AI-Driven Design: In 2026, design goes beyond simple sketching and sewing. Many costumes in the film are reportedly designed in partnership with AI fashion platforms, using algorithms to create textiles and patterns unseen by human designers.

Expect to see: Clothing with built-in microchips that show programmable messages

Virtual layering using AR lenses—a nod to fashion in the metaverse

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Collaborations with brands like The Fabricant, Auroboros, and Iris van Herpen, known for 3D-printed fashion

Miranda’s wardrobe features statement coats with interactive surfaces that subtly glow, thanks to embedded light-responsive threads, where power dressing meets soft technology.

Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, and Emily Blunt for The Devil Wears Prada

Photo credit: The Economic Times

2. Eco-Luxury & Conscious Glamour: Fashion in 2026 puts a strong focus on sustainability. Miranda’s outfits emphasize slow fashion, while new characters advocate for circular fashion, using upcycled pieces and plant-based leather alternatives.

Key examples include:

Mushroom leather coats (Mylo) by Stella McCartney

Regenerated cashmere suits from Loro Piana

Naturally dyed silks in earthy tones, balancing the digital flash

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Rather than flashy logos, garments now feature ethical sourcing labels, with QR codes showing full supply chain transparency.

3. Gender Fluidity in Style: Emily Charlton (Emily Blunt), now a fashion powerhouse, has moved beyond her assistant role. She embraces tailored skirtsuits, wide-leg pants, and architectural outerwear with confidence.

Her wardrobe includes:

Pieces from Willy Chavarria, Grace Wales Bonner, and Thom Browne

Layered silhouettes defying traditional gender norms

Footwear from bold brands like Rombaut and Eytys

In 2026, power comes not from strict looks but from fluid self-expression, and Emily showcases this effortlessly.

4. The Rise of the Digital Native: A key character in the sequel is a Gen Z fashion influencer, likely Andy’s daughter. As a rising digital tastemaker, her wardrobe captures the fashion-meets-technology moment.

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Her outfits mix:

Digital fashion layers are visible only through AR glasses

Y2K nostalgia meeting techwear (consider Coperni, Heaven by Marc Jacobs, and Diesel’s digital denim)

Upcycled designer pieces paired with futuristic styles

She bridges the gap between Miranda’s analog background and today’s digital-first fashion world.

Meryl Streep in the set for The Devil Wears Prada 2

Photo credit: Deadline

The Return of Miranda Priestly: Fashion’s Eternal Force

Miranda Priestly remains the center of the Prada universe. Though older, her style command is as sharp as ever, now combined with a deep understanding of technology and cultural relevance.

Her fresh look includes:

Color palette: reflective silver, bright white, gunmetal gray, and deep black

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Texture over print: 3D-printed scales, nanotech fabrics, and sustainable sequins

Accessories: Smart jewelry that doubles as communication devices and voice-activated bags from Telfar Labs

Even with the evolving fashion landscape, Miranda’s presence continues to capture attention and impact global fashion. She’s not just the editor-in-chief of Runway but also a style oracle who embraces change on her own terms.

Photo credit: Just Jared

Emily Charlton: The Evolution of Edge

Emily’s story is one of growth. Her former high-strung, loyalty-driven self has transformed into a composed, visionary leader of her own fashion division. She dresses to make an impression and provoke thought.

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Look out for:

Bold prints from Marine Serre and Luar

Asymmetrical tailoring by Y/Project

Sustainable sneakers paired with couture jackets, challenging traditional norms

Emily’s fashion narrative honors her past while reflecting the future: a move toward personality-driven power.

Photo credit: PureWow

Costume Design as Cultural Commentary

The real brilliance of The Devil Wears Prada 2 lies not only in its characters or couture but in how clothing conveys a larger message. Jacqueline Durran uses costume design to illustrate how fashion now serves as:

A technological link

A sustainability statement

A gender-neutral dialogue

A form of digital identity

The costumes in the sequel don’t just outfit characters; they comment on algorithms replacing editors, influencers taking center stage, and AR changing the fitting room experience.

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The New Style Language: From Power to Personal

In 2006, fashion emphasized exclusivity, perfection, and aspiration. By 2026, it focuses on authenticity, innovation, and expression.

While the original film highlighted conformity to high fashion, the sequel celebrates variety. No two characters dress alike, and that’s intentional. Everyone wears who they truly are—digitally, ethically, and emotionally.

Photo credit: Heart Radio

Final Thoughts: The Runway Never Ends

The Devil Wears Prada 2 isn’t just another sequel—it’s a fashion statement for a new era. While much has changed—our screens, our values, our wardrobes—one thing remains constant: fashion’s ability to define, challenge, and amaze.

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Whether it’s Miranda in shimmering armor or a Gen Z icon in glitchcore glam, the film reminds us that style evolves but never disappears. In a fast-paced world filled with spectacle, the right look still demands attention—and Miranda Priestly always knows what that look is.