Prada’s next chapter: mckenna reveals the shifting sands of luxury’s future
The fashion world is bracing for the arrival of The Devil Wears Prada 2, and screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna is offering a behind-the-scenes look at how the iconic story evolved – and why a sequel felt surprisingly timely.
A radical rewrite: mckenna’s vision for a modern prada
When Aline Brosh McKenna first encountered Lauren Weisberger’s 2003 novel, she wasn’t intimidated by the sharp, demanding world of Runway. Instead, she saw a potent snapshot of ambition, disillusionment, and the complex collision of art and commerce, a scenario she immediately wanted to explore. The initial film, a meticulously crafted adaptation, skipped over a key element – the unraveling of Andy Sachs’s best friend, Lily – and significantly altered Miranda Priestly’s character. But for the sequel, McKenna was given a blank canvas, a chance to build a new narrative reflecting a radically transformed industry.
From book to box office: the frankel pivot
The seeds of The Devil Wears Prada were sown years before the movie hit screens. Wendy Finerman optioned the book while it was still unpublished, placing it firmly in the hands of Fox 2000. Numerous writers attempted to translate Weisberger’s prose to the big screen, but a shift in direction – from script to directorial control – occurred when David Frankel took the helm. He famously sought a collaborator who prioritized authenticity over stylistic flourishes, a commitment that resonated deeply with McKenna.
Reimagining the core: values and the business of fashion
“What we wanted to show,” McKenna explained, “wasn’t just pinning fabric on a mannequin. It was the incredibly complex machinery that underpins the entire fashion ecosystem—the storytelling, the marketing, the sheer business acumen required to make fashion a globally recognized phenomenon.” The team spent considerable time dissecting Andy’s motivations, focusing on the distinction between personal dissatisfaction and a fundamental misalignment of values. The film’s final scene, a pivotal moment of escape, became a deliberate exploration of this tension.
A new landscape: publishing, fashion, and journalism
The impetus for the sequel wasn’t nostalgia, but a recognition of the seismic shifts impacting the creative industries. Publishing, fashion, and journalism – the three pillars of the original story – have undergone unprecedented upheaval in the wake of the digital age. “These businesses have been turned upside down and shaken,” McKenna noted. “It felt like stepping into a completely different workplace, one grappling with new technologies, evolving consumer habits, and a rapidly changing social landscape.”
Echoes of the original, a fresh perspective
Despite the freedom to forge a new path, McKenna expressed a deep affection for the original characters. “I’ve always loved those characters; they’ve stayed present to me for a long time,” she said. The sequel isn't a direct adaptation of Weisberger's subsequent novel, but rather a fresh story inspired by the spirit of the original. The enduring appeal, McKenna believes, lies in the timeless themes of ambition, identity, and the struggle to define oneself within a demanding, often ruthless, environment. The result promises to be a stylish, sharply observed look at the future of luxury – one that acknowledges the past while boldly charting a new course.”n