The highly anticipated sequel to The Devil Wears Prada has ignited a fiery online debate, but not for the reasons one might expect. The controversy centres not on the plot or the returning cast, but squarely on a pair of red shoes.
A Diabolical Fashion Choice?
This week, to mark her birthday, Anne Hathaway posted the first trailer for The Devil Wears Prada 2 on Instagram. While her caption, "it's everybody's birthday", was met with celebratory emojis, the trailer's content quickly drew a different kind of attention. The preview opens with the unmistakable feet of the formidable fashion editor, Miranda Priestly, played by Meryl Streep. She is wearing a pair of red studded stilettos, instantly recognisable as the Valentino Rockstud design that soared to popularity amongst fashion editors after its 2010 debut.
However, this specific choice has caused offence in fashion circles. The core of the criticism is that a character as impeccably and influentially stylish as Miranda Priestly would be seen wearing a shoe now widely considered to be passé. On the Who What Wear Instagram account, followers were quick to voice their disapproval. One user commented, "Giving rockstuds that much airtime was a … choice," while another succinctly declared, "no to shoes".
The Social Media Verdict
The backlash was not confined to a single platform. On TikTok, creator NewsWithLils summed up the sentiment for many, stating: "I'm no fashion expert but even I know Miranda Priestly wearing Valentino rockstud shoes in 2025 is a diabolical move and not in a good way." This intense reaction highlights the powerful connection audiences feel to the characters from the beloved 2006 original film.
This incident is part of a broader trend where online communities meticulously dissect the fashion choices in newly released trailers and on-set images. In a similar vein, images from the upcoming Carolyn Bessette Kennedy biopic series released in June were heavily criticised online, with one fan describing the looks as "fashion murder".
Marketing Genius or Fashion Faux Pas?
These passionate reactions demonstrate a deep affection for fashion-centric characters, whether fictional or based on real-life icons. This is something filmmakers are undoubtedly aware of, leading to speculation that a seemingly "wrong" costume choice could be a deliberate strategy. Creating online buzz and debate is a powerful marketing tool in the lead-up to a film's release.
There is also the possibility that the choice is more nuanced. What is currently viewed as outdated can often be on the cusp of a major revival. Julia Hobbs, a senior contributing fashion features editor at Vogue, noted the nostalgic power of the shoe. "When I started at Vogue in 2011, I remember Rockstuds being a familiar sight," she said. Playing devil's advocate, she suggested that if anyone can resurrect a trend, it's Miranda Priestly, adding, "I'm always here for a vintage shoe revival... and if anyone can kickstart a shoe trend it's Miranda Priestly."
Whether a calculated misstep or a prescient prediction, the debate over Miranda Priestly's red heels has successfully put The Devil Wears Prada 2 firmly back in the cultural conversation, proving that in fashion and film, there is no such thing as bad publicity.
