The highly anticipated sequel to The Devil Wears Prada has already ignited a fiery debate, but not for the reasons you might expect. The first trailer for The Devil Wears Prada 2, released in July, has set social media alight with controversy focused squarely on the footwear of its formidable fashion editor, Miranda Priestly.
A Diabolical Choice or a Stroke of Genius?
To mark her birthday this week, the film's star Anne Hathaway posted the inaugural trailer on Instagram with the caption "it's everybody's birthday". While the post was met with enthusiastic comments featuring flame and heart emojis, the spotlight quickly shifted. The focus of intense online scrutiny became the pair of red studded stilettos worn by Meryl Streep's character, Miranda Priestly, in the trailer's opening shot.
These are no ordinary shoes; they are the Valentino Rockstud design from 2010, a style that was once the definitive choice for fashion editors everywhere. The choice, however, has been met with widespread disapproval from style-savvy social media users who consider the design to be hopelessly passé.
Social Media Erupts Over 'Passe' Footwear
The backlash was swift and severe. On the Who What Wear Instagram account, followers did not hold back. One user critically noted, "Giving rockstuds that much airtime was a … choice," while another delivered a blunt "no to shoes".
The criticism extended to TikTok, where creator NewsWithLils declared, "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 strong reaction highlights the powerful connection audiences feel with the characters from the beloved 2006 original film.
This incident is part of a broader trend where online communities passionately dissect the fashion choices in newly released film and TV trailers. A similar uproar occurred in June over the costumes in an upcoming Carolyn Bessette Kennedy biopic, which were described by fans as "fashion murder".
Strategic Misdirection or Nostalgic Revival?
This intense focus on costume details demonstrates a deep public affection for fashion-centric characters. It is a dynamic that filmmakers are undoubtedly aware of, leading to speculation that such a "wrong" choice could be a deliberate strategy to generate online buzz and conversation ahead of the film's release.
There is also a compelling argument that the controversial shoe selection might be a clever move. What is considered out-of-date is often ripe for a comeback. Julia Hobbs, a senior contributing fashion features editor at Vogue, who recalls the Rockstud's popularity from her early days at the magazine in 2011, suggests there could be more to the story.
"If I were to play devil’s advocate, I’d say I’m always here for a vintage shoe revival," Hobbs stated, acknowledging the debate around labelling 2010s styles as vintage. She added, "and if anyone can kickstart a shoe trend it’s Miranda Priestly." This perspective posits that the film could single-handedly spearhead a Rockstud renaissance, turning a fashion faux pas into the must-have item of the season.
