Hathaway revives 'prada' look, but with a 2024 twist

Twenty years after its debut, the high ponytail and blunt bangs of Andy Sachs are back—and Anne Hathaway is leading the charge. During the Tokyo leg of The Devil Wears Prada 2 press tour, Hathaway and hairstylist Orlando Pita recreated the iconic look, updating it for a modern sensibility that’s already sparking a wave of nostalgic beauty interest.

The evolution of a signature hairstyle

The original transformation in the 2006 film was a pivotal moment; a visual shorthand for Sachs’s ascent from awkward outsider to polished professional. But Pita and Hathaway didn't merely replicate the past. Hathaway’s bangs, instead of the stark, almost severe cut of the original, are now softer, wispier, and decidedly choppier—a nod to the current penchant for textured styles. The face-framing pieces, too, have more weight, emphasizing her features in a way that felt less structured in the initial iteration. Erin Walsh's styling choices further enhanced the look, opting for a strapless Valentino gown, staying true to the film’s signature red, white, and black color palette.

The resurgence of this Y2K-era style isn’t entirely unexpected. We've seen a broader return of early-aughts trends—low-rise jeans, butterfly clips, and glossy lipsticks—but the precision and impact of Sachs’s hairstyle are unique. It’s a masterclass in subtle transformation, a visual representation of personal growth and confidence. Gucci Westman’s makeup choices mirrored this restrained elegance, foregoing heavy lower lash lines for a lighter, more contemporary glam.

The deliberate callbacks to the original film—the color scheme, the overall aesthetic—suggest that The Devil Wears Prada 2 aims to capitalize on the enduring appeal of the first film, while simultaneously modernizing it for a new generation. The tour’s ongoing stops promise even more reflective nods to the original, and the beauty world is watching closely to see how these nostalgic touches will translate into wider trends.