Do you want to move at a glacial pace? Michaela Erlanger would never do that.
Last month, the celebrity stylist took the three-time Oscar winner around the world with 25 different designer outfits for her longtime client Meryl Streep’s The Devil Wears Prada 2 press tour.
Coincidentally, Erlanger was an intern at Condé Nast when Streep first appeared on screen as icy fashion editor Miranda Priestly in 2006. Condé Nast is the magazine publisher of Vogue, which is the basis for the film’s fictional glossy runway.
“The original film was the perfect cultural touchstone that shaped my early career,” the wardrobe maven tells Page Six Style. “Having worked with Meryl for 11 years, stepping into this tradition and evolving her iconic look for the sequel feels like the ultimate ‘pinch me’ creative milestone.”
What was the most challenging aspect of styling Streep’s second film? Making sure the outfits paid homage to the runway world without looking like she was cosplaying an iconic character.
“There are nods to the movie, but we weren’t dressed up as Miranda Priestly, we were dressed up as modern-day Meryl Streep,” Erlanger explained.
“I lean into what I call ‘meta-dressing,’ which is about fictionally referenced fashion that references real fashion history, while also keeping in mind the wearer’s real life and career. Audiences love ‘Easter eggs,’ but I think it’s more exciting to layer those nods into looks that feel authentic to the person.” ”
So the 76-year-old actress’ press tour looks like a mix of winks to the movie and plenty of personal touches. For example, during her first visit to Mexico City on March 30, Streep performed a step-and-repeat in a devilish red Dolce & Gabbana suit, accessorized with brooches from her collection, including the purple ribbon from her 2010 National Medal of Arts and the rainbow rosette from her 2011 Kennedy Center Honors.
A few weeks later, she showed up in New York wearing sleek black Celine separates cinched with four different belts that didn’t look exactly the same. This is a clever nod to the comment that inspired Miranda’s iconic cerulean monologue in the film.
“The vision was power and authority, but without sacrificing femininity,” Erlanger said of Streep’s focus on tailoring throughout her tour. “We wanted to showcase women who are at the pinnacle of their careers, fully self-actualized and confident.”
The stylist is particularly fond of the deep red Prada pantsuit her client wore during her time in Seoul — “There’s something really buzz about her coming back to that brand for this series,” she noted — but cited Streep’s Givenchy outfit at the New York premiere as her personal favorite fashion moment.
“The head-to-toe leather and capes felt like a true home for this movie,” she said.
What other styles have stood out from Streep’s “DWP2” promotional duties over the past few weeks? The blue satin Saint Laurent coat she wore in Shanghai, the playful fringed Chanel skirt she set for the Tokyo premiere, and, of course, the teal J. Crew sweater she wore on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” (Streep’s cable knit, custom designed in collaboration with Erlanger, was made of cashmere, unlike Andy Sachs’ infamous polyblend crewneck.)
To ensure the film’s cast looked united on any red carpet, Erlanger shared a group chat with Erin Walsh (Anne Hathaway’s stylist) and Jessica Pastor (Emily Blunt’s wardrobe). The three constantly texted about designers, fabrics, colors, and cuts.
“We tailor each client’s look so that they complement each other rather than clashing,” she said. “It’s a beautiful collaboration that reflects the female-led energy of this film.”
Erlanger brought some sparkle to the press tour’s final stop in London, dressing Streep in a navy sequined Richard Quinn cocoon coat and an archival Giorgio Armani Prive jacket finished with a shimmering red crinoline ribbon at the collar.
But best of all for “Devil” fanatics had to be the custom Judith Leiber couture clutch encrusted in crystals, modeled after “The Book,” the infamous spiral runway mock-up that Miranda Priestly reviews nightly.
“We saved the most groundbreaking looks for the finale,” Erlanger joked. “As they say, the devil is in the details!”
