For the premiere of 'The Devil Wears Prada 2,' Simone Ashley arrived in a thematic, head-to-toe Prada ensemble. The look, anchored by metallic slingback pumps, nods to the film's legacy while reflecting a specific chapter in lingerie's influence. Prada, founded in 1913 by Mario Prada as a leather goods purveyor, has long understood foundational craftsmanship. This expertise subtly translates to footwear that supports and shapes the body, much like the structural engineering of a corset or a modern basque.
Ashley's role as Miranda Priestly's new first assistant continues a sartorial narrative where power is often coded through precise, intimidating elegance. Her promotional tour, featuring styles from Christian Louboutin to Jimmy Choo, mirrors the eclectic yet calculated wardrobe of a modern fashion insider. Louboutin, for instance, translated his iconic 1993 red sole from a Parisian cabaret's suggestion, a heritage rooted in spectacle and allure not unlike stage lingerie.
The sequel's costume designer, Molly Rogers, succeeds Patricia Field, whose work on the original famously used fashion as character armor. As the story advances twenty years, the foundational garments - the shapewear, the hosiery, the perfectly fitted bra - remain the unspoken prerequisites for the power silhouettes on screen. Ashley's gleaming Prada pumps are simply the visible crescendo of a dressed body, a principle the Lingerie Museum recognizes as timeless.
Originally reported by WWD