Back in March 2024 I approached Karen Millen on behalf of the Wardrobe Team, headed by costume designer Gregg Barnes, to provide some of the costumes for The Devil Wears Prada Musical. I organised partnerships for the show which includes everything from costumes, hotels, retailers to drinks. For instance, I sourced thousands of refreshments from very generous sponsors for The Devil Wears Prada opening gala in support of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Any iconic film that is adapted for the stage is a complicated labour of love for everyone involved. But when it’s an iconic fashion film, the stakes are even higher. Gregg Barnes, who designed the show, reflected on the original film in an interview with the Evening Standard saying:
“The film, starring Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt alongside Meryl Streep, set a high standard and gained a cult following for fashion fans. The costume designer, Patricia Field, who designed the costumes for Sex and the City and Ugly Betty, sourced the most coveted labels, thanks to references such as ‘The Chanel boots?’ ‘I’m wearing Valentino, for crying out loud!’ and ‘Can you please spell Gabbana?’”
Interviewed for Sunday Times Style, Barnes revealed that the sacred Chanel boots were changed to Gucci…
With a cast of 36 and multiple outfits changes throughout, this a huge show that features a mixture of brands, but it’s not just the costumes that make the show. The story follows the novel by Lauren Weisberger, which lifts the lid on her time as an assistant at Vogue. Adapted as aforementioned legendary film in 2006, it is now a hit West End musical. Producers secured Elton John to create the songs with lyrics from composer and performer Shaina Taub.
Rehearsals
It all starts with workshops of the script and music (one memorable workshop for The Devil Wears Prada took place above the Dominion Theatre with almost all the cast now in the show including Vanessa Williams performing in front of microphone stands and stacking chairs … each taking their turn to step forward when it’s their moment …). A row of producers, writers, musical directors and the team all looked on … it’s these moments that crackle with excitement and energy as you see the show begin to take form.
Costume
Director Jerry Mitchell is a long-time collaborator with costume designer Gregg Barnes, and decided to set the musical in 2005. Karen Millen’s timeless looks fit right in with the period. Gregg elaborated on the choice of year to set the show saying “We have set The Devil Wears Prada musical in 2005, but at the same time this is not a documentary of style from that year. We looked at a lot of editorial photos and fashion shows from the early Noughties and (as you would expect) there are things that take your breath away and things that you shudder to remember. With The Devil Wears Prada my hope is that the audience will want to wear everything that is on the stage and never think ‘weren’t we wacky in 2005.’”
Like all musicals, the costumes in The Devil Wears Prada Musical are put through their paces for 8 shows a week, 52 weeks a year. There’s an extensive wardrobe department who adapt the costumes, stripping them down on the inside so the performers are able to dance and move in them onstage whilst not overheating. Often the team have repeats of items so they can be rotated or replaced when worn out. This team also clean, wash and repair the costumes, permanently residing in the theatre within the wardrobe department, along with the wigs and makeup teams.
This is a far cry from the show’s first steps in the UK, when the team were based at the offices above the theatre, then in Victoria at the old London Underground offices—with racks and racks of costumes ready to be tried on by actors and presented to the director. When the show moved to Plymouth, the team moved there too with all the potential costumes.
Every show has a period (formally known as the preview period) where changes are made to lighting, wigs, choreography, dialogue is added or edited out, songs are rewritten or even added and, of course, costumes upgraded or rejected. Running a show outside of London first gives producers the chance to get the magic mix right, and then the show is locked. That’s it… a date of locking is given, then changes are not to be made.
Karen Millen helpfully provided lots of options to feature in the show, until the final 21 items were chosen and confirmed. There’s one particular scene that Karen Millen’s items are showcased best, with three characters wearing different iterations of the Crystal Embellished Tailored Tuxedo Blazer, Dress and Suit.
If you’re coming to see The Devil Wears Prada and you love costumes, you can spot Karen Millen outfits throughout… it’s literally the best dressed show in town.
