WORDS BY LUC CORMIER

Star-studded sequel, The Devil Wears Prada 2, had its premiere in New York City at the David Geffen Hall. 

The celebrities arrived to celebrate the film in clothing that feels self-aware of its status as a luxury good (for the most part). Which is a notion I am worried the film might succumb to as well. 

Meryl Streep wore a vermillion Givenchy cape from the brand's most recent collection, revealing only her black accessories. I love the touch of the sunglasses, a nod to Anna Wintour/ Miranda Priestly, is totally not (definitely is) based on. Sarah Burton has been doing wonderful work at Givenchy, but this look feels strange.

Anne Hathaway wore a beautifully structured red Louis Vuitton tea-length dress; classic. Louis Vuitton kind of bores me, but in this case, when Anne is trying to assert the timelessness of herself and her films, the choice makes sense. Despite her decisions to do nostalgic sequels. Of the four leads, she had my favourite look. 

Emily Blunt wore a piece from the most recent Schiaparelli couture collection that looks wonderful on her, with several layers of tiered cream tulle. She also wore a Mikimoto necklace, which was a very bizarre choice. 

Stanley Tucci wore a black suit. Proving that he is, at the end of the day, a heterosexual man. His gay voice is just really convincing. He is a major character in this film (based on the promotion), and this look really let me down. Menswear often does. I don’t think that every man needs to wear a Billy Porter tuxedo gown, but they do need to give something. Men’s tailoring is such a beautiful and often forgotten art form, and no one ever really takes advantage of that. 

The look Gaga wore is subdued, which I take as intentional. She knows that she’s there to promote this movie, but it’s not about her; this Yves Saint Laurent dress is so minimalistic, yet feels classic. This movie has a big shadow to overcome; subliminal reinforcement of this movie being just as iconic and seminal feels present all over this carpet.

The premiere featured a Grey Goose-sponsored bar with several themed drinks, along with a photobooth. 

The men at the event were all wearing mostly boring suits. Aside from Marc Jacobs, who wore jeans, and Lucky Blue Smith, who had a suit that was cut in a very interesting vintage style. He had my favourite men’s look of the night. He looked right out of a 1940s fashion illustration you might see on a pattern packet. 

 During this press run, I watched an interview with Streep and Hathaway discussing the passionate queer audience for this film, which really struck me. There is something about the original movie that feels very queer. Maybe it’s the isolation Miranda and Andy both feel throughout the movie. I think it’s also the power they fight for. Miranda says it herself, “That sweater was chosen for you by the people in this room, from a pile of stuff.” I wonder if this movie can capture the magical layers of a line like that. I sincerely hope it does.