Publication Date
Spring 4-1-2025
College
O'More College of Architecture & Design
Department
Fashion Design and Merchandising
Student Level
Undergraduate
SPARK Category
Art
Faculty Advisor
Nia Allen
Presentation Type
Gallery
Summary
The Devil Wears Prada (2006), directed by David Frankel, serves as a rich visual case study of early 21st-century fashion. Set in New York City, the film follows recent college graduate Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway), who lands a job at the prestigious fashion magazine Runway, working under its powerful and demanding editor-in-chief, Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep). The film captures the fast-paced, image-driven fashion industry of the mid-2000s, reflecting broader cultural themes of ambition, conformity, and identity.
The soundtrack—featuring artists like Madonna and U2—complements the vibrant energy of the fashion world during a time of globalization and mass consumption. Stylistically, the costumes represent the era’s obsession with luxury branding, clean silhouettes, and “power dressing.” Costume designer Patricia Field utilized designer garments from Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, and Valentino to visually distinguish characters and signal status.
Field’s work not only complements the storyline but reflects the zeitgeist of the 2000s, where image was increasingly tied to personal and professional success. The transformation of Andy’s wardrobe symbolizes her internal conflict between authenticity and assimilation. The film left a lasting legacy in pop culture and fashion, influencing trends, launching careers, and cementing its place as a key text in contemporary fashion history.
Recommended Citation
Solano, Gioia and Hardy, Caroline, "The Devil Wears Prada Historical Fashion History Project" (2025). SPARK Symposium Presentations. 55.
https://repository.belmont.edu/spark_presentations/55
