Recently, it was announced that no one other than Sir Elton John will be in charge of the music score for the stage musical adaptation of the 2000s cult classic 'The Devil Wears Prada' (David Frankel in 2006). Alongside him, Shaina Taub will handle the lyrics, and Kate Wetherhead will take on the role of playwright. The production is set to arrive in British lands, specifically London, in October 2024.
The Devil Wears Prada is based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Lauren Weisberger, published in 2003. It stands as one of the most successful movies of 2006, winning over audiences with its high-budget production and achieving positive critical reviews. The film quickly earned the status of a modern classic, thanks to its inspirational portrayal of a female Wall Street journey and the career boost it provided to its cast, who garnered prestigious awards as a result. It's worth noting that the film was a key component of Fox's counterprogramming marketing strategy, specifically targeting a female demographic.
Rewatching the film with more baggage than during my early teenage years was quite an experience. What stuck with me after my first viewing was the portrayal of the workplace environment with an unpleasant boss. During the second viewing, I began to notice the exaggerations in these depictions, along with many problematic aspects, which stood out even more than Andy's (Anne Hathaway) toxic boyfriend.
At the very beginning of 'The Devil Wears Prada,' the story revolves around femininity and fashion. A sequence of scenes depicts women preparing for work, donning makeup and haute couture clothing, which sets up a noticeable contrast between the protagonist and her peers. This sequence offers a glimpse of female comparison through the lens of the male gaze, particularly focusing on women's legs and breasts. In the background, 'Suddenly I See' by KT Tunstall plays, suggesting their ambition and dedication to their work.
On one hand, the women characters are prominently featured and hold influential positions at Runway magazine. Interestingly, the few male characters within the magazine are portrayed as feminine gays. On the other hand, the film perpetuates certain stereotypes regarding the LGBT+ community, notably the 'sassy gay friend' and 'gay best friend' tropes with characters like Nigel (Stanley Tucci) and Doug(Rich Sommer). It also highlights the theme of female rivalry between Andy and Emily Charlton (Emily Blunt). Additionally, the film reflects the issue of tokenism through Andy's best friends, one of whom is gay and the other is Black, with both belonging to minority groups. These characters are often relegated to secondary roles, and the workplace depicted in the film lacks diversity
Toxicity is evident in 'The Devil Wears Prada.' It goes beyond an unsupportive boyfriend and friends who consistently invalidate and minimize Andy's workplace experiences. The boss, with her unattainable demands and disregard for work hours and boundaries, treats Andy as her modern-day slave. Moreover, the film reflects the issue of fatphobia and the industry's obsession with thinness in the fashion world through instances of body shaming, negative comments, and jokes about body sizes.
Another aspect worth noting is the characterization of the film's villain, Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep). Evidently, Miranda is deliberately crafted as the polar opposite of Andy, not just in terms of personality but also in appearance. This sets up again a female rivalry dynamic. Miranda is depicted as older, with wrinkles and grey hair, in stark contrast to Andy's youthfulness. Furthermore, Miranda is a seasoned, divorced editor-in-chief, while Andy is a recent journalist graduate assistant, highlighting their stark differences. For instance, the film often portrays Miranda's aging in a negative light. Additionally, her professional demeanour, while toxic, could also be seen as a result of her refusal to cater to male egos.
At some point in the story, Andy finds herself in a love triangle between her career idol and her sweetheart. This subplot represents the empowerment of women and their ability to make choices about their sexuality that were previously repressed on screens and a taboo in the society.
Nearly twenty years since its release, 'The Devil Wears Prada' remains relevant not only to the fashion world but also in its impact on culture. The iconic costumes, crafted by stylist and costume designer Patricia Field, still exude a trendy and contemporary vibe to this day. In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Field shared her perspective, stating, “I think timelessness is a very important factor in whatever I do […] That’s what makes a classic. It’s obvious what’s timeless and what is not timeless, but you need time to find that answer.” She further explained her collaborative process with the actors to create honest and authentic styles that matched each character's personality.
Over the years, many characters and lines from the film have become beloved, with its aesthetics and outfits continuing to be admired. Andy's journey has inspired a whole generation of aspiring fashion creatives. It teaches that great fashion is about confidence, individuality, and embracing the power of choice.
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