India’s leading stylists share their thoughts on 'The Devil Wears Prada'
Featuring Eka Lakhani, Amandeep Kaur, Aastha Sharma, and Eesha Amin.
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Two decades on, The Devil Wears Prada remains fashion’s ultimate cultural touchstone, equal parts aspiration, intimidation, and insider decode. With the sequel out now, the industry is once again looking to Miranda Priestly and her world of high-stakes glamour. But what does the film mean to those shaping fashion today? India’s leading stylists weigh in.
Eka Lakhani
Harper's Bazaar: With The Devil Wears Prada 2 in theatres, how excited are you to see this iconic film return?
Eka Lakhani: I’m honestly pretty excited! The first film has been my favourite even before I knew I wanted to pursue fashion. It’s a film I’ve revisited multiple times over the years. There’s nothing but pure excitement, and I’m really curious to see how today’s audience will receive it. Also, I’m most excited to see Miranda Priestly—she’s an icon!
HB: What impact did The Devil Wears Prada have on your personal style or the fashion industry in India?
EL: More than personal style, it made fashion more understood in India—beyond just models, diving into how the industry actually functions. For me, it’s a bible for anyone who wants to survive in the entertainment industry. The power play of balancing work and life, navigating dynamics, climbing the ladder—there’s so much more to work than what meets the eye. It also opened up global fashion references for a wider audience here.
HB: 20 years down the line, what is one fashion lesson from the film that still feels relevant today?
EL: “Sometimes you will feel like everything is falling apart, but they stretch you.” That stayed with me. Andy had so much thrown at her that wasn’t technically her job, but that’s the reality of creative spaces. It feels chaotic in the moment, but it shapes you in the long run.
HB: What kind of fashion or trends are you hoping to see in the sequel?
EL: More power dressing, but in a way that feels effortless and personal. I’d love to see Miranda Priestly in a new avatar—maybe even with a touch of colour blocking.
I’d also like to see more diverse perspectives, and hopefully some up-and-coming global brands featured in the film.
Eesha Amin
Harper's Bazaar: With The Devil Wears Prada 2 in theatres, how excited are you to see this iconic film return?
Eesha Amin: I’m so excited—it’s iconic. The original redefined how people viewed fashion, ambition, and the industry. Watching it return in today’s context, where fashion is more digital, makes it even more exciting.
HB: What impact did The Devil Wears Prada have on your personal style or the fashion industry in India?
EA: For me, it highlighted that styling is a form of narrative—every look communicates something. In India, it helped shift perception towards valuing fashion as a complete ecosystem: branding, visuals, and storytelling—not just garments.
HB: 20 years down the line, what is one fashion lesson from the film that still feels relevant today?
EA: That precision is everything—every detail contributes to the overall impact. It also reinforced that behind the glamour, fashion is a highly demanding and disciplined industry.
HB: What kind of fashion or trends are you hoping to see in the sequel?
EA: I’d love to see a reflection of today’s fashion values—inclusivity, sustainability, and a stronger emphasis on personal expression.
Aastha Sharma
Harper's Bazaar: With The Devil Wears Prada 2 in theatres, how excited are you to see this iconic film return?
Aastha Sharma: I’m genuinely excited and can’t wait to see what’s in store. It feels like a cultural reset moment for fashion lovers. The original wasn’t just a film—it was a mood, a shift in fashion and luxury, and a masterclass beautifully portrayed by Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway. I’m curious to see how it translates into today’s world of digital fashion and ever-evolving luxury.
HB: What impact did The Devil Wears Prada have on your personal style or the fashion industry in India
AS: The impact on my personal style—and across India—has been undeniable. It didn’t just inspire outfits; it inspired ambition. At a time before social media, films like this had a huge influence, and it even led me to work at a fashion magazine.
I saw firsthand how much the film shaped perceptions of magazine culture—the pace, precision, and pressure, but also the creativity and glamour. It made fashion feel powerful, intentional, and detail-driven. It taught us that styling isn’t just about clothes, it’s about storytelling.
In India, especially, it helped shift fashion from something casual to something aspirational and opened doors for creative minds.
HB: 20 years down the line, what is one fashion lesson from the film that still feels relevant today?
AS: The biggest lesson that still stands strong—and something I follow in every styling assignment—is that details are everything. Whether it’s the fit of a blazer, the choice of accessories, or how you carry yourself, nothing is ever “just” anything. That cerulean blue speech lives rent-free in every fashion lover’s mind.
HB: What kind of fashion or trends are you hoping to see in the sequel?
AS: I’m looking for fun, drama, and relatable fashion in this sequel—quiet luxury, chic tailored cuts, and looks that feel aspirational yet wearable, just like the original.
Amandeep Kaur
Harper's Bazaar: With The Devil Wears Prada 2 in theatres, how excited are you to see this iconic film return?
Amandeep Kaur: OMG, extremely excited! I feel like my entire growing-up years (and I’m still growing up) have gone into worshipping and quoting that film. It’s a gift that continues to give, and I absolutely cannot wait for the second part.
HB: What impact did The Devil Wears Prada have on your personal style or the fashion industry in India?
AK: Anne Hathaway’s character, Andrea/Andy, gave me such a strong belief in the transformative power of fashion—how deeply it can shape your personality. It also showed how joyful it is to work in fashion and be surrounded by incredible designs and artists who inspire new ideas.
Meryl Streep’s Miranda Priestly was such an iconic character. At the time, I dreamed of working at Vogue—both in awe of and intimidated by the editor. That dream came true when I worked on a project with Vogue India. Fortunately, the editor was impressive but not nearly as intimidating as Miranda!
Through my journey in fashion magazines, Miranda Priestly became more than a character—she represented a position of power I both aspired to and feared. Thankfully, real life in fashion turned out to be less intimidating and more about hard work and creativity.
HB: 20 years down the line, what is one fashion lesson from the film that still feels relevant today?
AK: That paying attention to what you wear and how you present yourself is never a bad idea. Being well-groomed, well-styled, and fashion-aware always pays off. It’s a lesson I’ve carried with me ever since.
HB: What kind of fashion or trends are you hoping to see in the sequel?
AK: I’m hoping to see powerful fashion moments carried by some of Hollywood’s most iconic women. Even Emily Charlton is unforgettable! The fashion needs to live up to the expectations built over the last 20 years—both from the film and the superstars themselves.
Lead image: IMDb
Also read: 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' finds new rules in a collapsing old world
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