Anna Wintour, the outgoing editor-in-chief of Vogue, has finally shared her candid thoughts on Meryl Streep’s portrayal of a formidable fashion editor in the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada. The movie, inspired by Lauren Weisberger’s novel based on her time as Wintour’s assistant, has long been associated with the Vogue editor’s icy persona. Speaking on The New Yorker’s podcast with David Remnick, Wintour offered a nuanced take on the cultural phenomenon.
Wintour on Her First Viewing
Wintour revealed she attended the film’s premiere in Prada attire without knowing what to expect. She admitted that many in the fashion industry were worried about how she would be portrayed. “I think that the fashion industry were very sweetly concerned for me about the film, that it was going to paint me in some kind of difficult light,” she said. To her surprise, she found the depiction humorous and entertaining.
Her Take on Meryl Streep’s Role
Asked by Remnick if she viewed the character as “cartoonish,” Wintour agreed, calling it a caricature, but noted that Streep’s performance still carried depth and subtlety. “I found it highly enjoyable. It was very funny,” she said, praising the cast that included Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci. Streep earned an Oscar nomination for the role of Miranda Priestly, a fictional fashion editor widely believed to be modeled on Wintour.
Cultural Impact and Sequel
The original film grossed $326 million on a $40 million budget and has become a cultural touchstone in both fashion and cinema. Wintour even joked that the movie was good publicity for Miuccia Prada. A sequel is currently filming in New York with returning stars Hathaway, Streep, Blunt, and Tucci, joined by Kenneth Branagh. The revival reflects the enduring legacy of the film nearly two decades after its release.
Wintour’s Role Today
While stepping down as Vogue’s editor-in-chief, Wintour continues as chief content officer for Condé Nast and global editorial director of Vogue. Chloe Malle, daughter of French filmmaker Louis Malle, has been named her successor. Wintour’s latest remarks mark a rare acknowledgment of how she views her long-assumed connection to one of pop culture’s most iconic characters.
