The Devil Wears Prada 2: Our review

Another review of “The Devil Wears Prada 2”? No, much better: a conversation between FACES graphic designer Bianca Ugas and FACES Senior Editor Josefine Zürcher, who know the legendary world of fashion journalism at first hand. After the movie, they both agree: the two hours were worth it – and not just because of Lady Gaga’s mini-appearance. Read on to find out why the sequel triggers waves of nostalgia but is still forward-looking, why the love story plot could have been skipped and what tech bros can learn from the movie.

Josefine Zürcher: I was 11 years old 20 years ago. Too young to think seriously about my professional future, but old enough to be so infatuated with books that the world of publishing, or what I understood it to be as a child, seemed extremely tempting. In the early 2000s, there wasn’t just “The Devil Wears Prada”, but a veritable flood of feel-good films – “13 Going on 30”, “Sex and the City” and “Almost Famous” – that promised me a recipe for a glorious adult life: Big city + something to do with journalism, fashion or PR + stress = happiness and success. Looking back, I have to admit that such narratives perhaps had more influence on me than I realized at the time. What memories do you associate with Miranda Priestly, Andy Sachs and co.
Bianca Ugas: I can still remember how much my mother and my aunt celebrated the movie back then. I was only six years old in 2006, so I can hardly remember it. When I was 12, I discovered “Gossip Girl” and other “Girl with big dreams in New York” films from the 1990s and early 2000s. Of course, this also included “The Devil Wears Prada”. Even back then, I was firmly convinced that I wanted to work in this industry and prove myself to a boss like Miranda. Now, in my mid-20s, I’m experiencing the second part of the movie and working in the fashion world myself – it’s very surreal. I’d say I’ve achieved my goal, except for a boss like Miranda. Were you able to find yourself in certain scenes? And what was it like for you to see these parallels to our own everyday working lives?

JZ: We grinned at each other during certain scenes in the movie because we know similar things – the stress of delivering and working with important clients, for example. It feels surreal and good. Maybe I have a tendency to be pessimistic, but I mainly got stuck on the negative aspects. What concerns me most is how AI is ruining our industry. Good copy, good photography and good storytelling simply can’t be generated, especially since ChatGPT and the like only “work” because they steal the work of real people. The bar is on the floor, as they say, but I’m actually impressed that a gigantic Hollywood production dares to not only make fun of tech bros and AI, but also clearly takes the stance that AI has no place in the creative industry. Fun fact by the way: Runway and Miranda fall out of favor because the magazine unknowingly promotes a fast fashion label. Afterwards, as befits our times, there was a lot of mockery and memes on social media. One of these memes, which looks like it was generated by AI, was actually painted. Director David Frankel commissioned it from artist Alexis Franklin. As I said, nobody needs AI when there is real talent.
BU: Oh yes, as big (and proud) AI haters, we felt very affected when billionaire Benji suggested AI models and texts. Unfortunately, this has become way too relatable. Speaking of Benji – now with Jeff Bezos’ Met Gala and purchase from Vogue, this dystopia has long become a reality. Despite all the pessimism, do you think the movie has given the industry a ray of hope?

JZ: There is indeed a ray of hope, but it’s wrapped up in a decent layer of realism. At the end – spoiler alert! – Runway is saved after all and can (for the time being) continue to exist as before. But only thanks to someone who is swimming in money – at least it’s a woman. Someone who appreciates real journalism. I think that’s what got me thinking the most. Has late-stage capitalism already left so much destruction in its wake that the media can only exist anyway thanks to generous donors and have to blindly hope that among all the billionaires without a moral compass there is occasionally a female billionaire who is actually up to no good? If so, things are looking bleak.
BU: Ugh, and how. Luckily the damsel in distress wasn’t a man.
Speaking of men… The love story plot really disappointed me. Felt like a waste of time that stole time from the main plot. This really isn’t 2006 anymore, when romance was a must. At least Andy is no longer with Nate.

JZ: Then there’s also an incredibly boring real estate shark who makes disparaging remarks about Andy’s job as a journalist. If that’s not a red flag. While we’re on the subject of man-hating: Why are men – in this case, rich tech bros – so desperate to invade and buy up the art, fashion and culture world? Could it be because they are afraid of strong media? Because where there is good journalism, there is also criticism. Yes, even in a fashion and lifestyle magazine there should be room for it. I also liked the fact that Andy wanted to help Runway regain more credibility with strong and relevant texts. Less so that these texts were hardly read. Another storyline that was so realistic that it hurt a little.
BU: In my opinion, that’s the main factor. Fashion and lifestyle journalism that thrives on women and queer people is definitely a thorn in the side of the tech bros. Most of these men have been the uncoolest ever their whole lives (still is to me) and take it for granted that they can just buy style and cultural relevance. But they will never know what a “Cerulean Sweater” is…

JZ: Just like Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez may own Vogue, but they still can’t buy the rich history behind the publication and the creativity of everyone involved.
BU: On a more positive note, I loved the performances of Miranda, Andy, Emily and Nigel. 20 years later, they embody their characters as if they had never left our screens. Meryl Streep in particular did a great job portraying Miranda again. I found the scenes in which she tries to appear more politically correct really funny.

JZ: Meryl/Miranda has an almost uncanny effect. Despite everything, you really want to have her as your boss. At least I still understand the phrase a million girls would kill for this job – satire and media crisis or not. And then Lady Gaga turns up too! So many of my woman crushes combined in one movie.
BU: I also loved the Easter eggs. Many of them could only be understood as a true fan. For example, when the street vendor holds two belts next to each other. They’re just so different. Speaking of clothes, what were your favorite looks?

JZ: I wouldn’t necessarily wear it, but I love the enthusiasm with which Andy falls in love with a colorful patchwork dress by Gabriela Hearst. The perfect choice for her trip to the Hamptons, straw hat included. The fact that she immediately makes a stain and tries to clean it in a panic could also happen to me. Also worth a mention: Miranda’s current assistant Amari only wears good looks, from start to finish. I wonder if she ever had to listen to the “Cerulean Blue” lecture? I doubt it. Which looks would you hang in your own closet?
BU: I would also steal almost any outfit from Amari. I loved Miranda’s Dries Van Noten tassel jacket and Andy’s Armani tie-detail dress.

JZ: So we left the packed movie theater not only with fashion inspiration, but also with a bit of hope despite all the hurdles our industry has to overcome. The interest in print magazines is far from gone.
BU: Exactly, print will always be king! At the same time, the downsides also motivate us to want to see and bring about change in the industry. As for the movie – it leaves a lot to think about, but we still left the cinema with a smile and a good feeling.