Why the 'Devil Wears Prada' Sequel is an Autobiography for Fashion Icon Kate Reardon
As excitement builds around The Devil Wears Prada 2, fashion editor Kate Reardon says the beloved franchise feels far less like fiction and far more like an autobiography. Reardon has revealed that her own rise through the fashion industry closely mirrors the arc of Anne Hathaway’s character, Andy Sachs, in the original film. Over time, her career eventually evolved into a role more akin to the formidable Miranda Priestly.
From Young Assistant to Fashion Insider
Reardon said she began her fashion career at American Vogue in New York as a 19-year-old fashion assistant. At the time, she described herself as the “plump, badly-dressed one” in the office. She recalled that colleagues would even openly place bets on how long she would last in the high-pressure environment. “I started as the Anne Hathaway character,” Reardon said, drawing a direct comparison to Andy Sachs, the outsider assistant thrust into the ruthless world of high fashion.
The Career-Defining Mistake That Changed Everything
According to Reardon, a single mistake during a major high-production fashion shoot transformed the trajectory of her career. Her job at the time involved supporting clients and managing accessories during shoots while assisting her boss with styling models. During one elaborate shoot three hours outside New York, featuring supermodels, a helicopter, speedboats, and golf carts, her boss turned to her and asked where the shoes were.
Reardon had left them behind in the city. The error forced the entire team to crop every single image from the high-budget shoot. Her boss, she noted, did not scream or humiliate her. “She just looked at me and said very quietly, 'That's it.'”
Becoming a Logical Organizer
Reardon said that specific moment fundamentally reshaped her approach to professional work. “In that precise moment, in that singular heartbeat, I became the logical organiser,” she explained. She credits the experience with turning her into a disciplined, relentlessly organized, and reliable professional.
From Andy Sachs to 'Miranda'
Reardon went on to climb the fashion ladder, becoming a fashion director before spending a decade as a contributing editor at Vanity Fair. Fifteen years ago, she became the editor-in-chief of Tatler, and she now serves as the editor-in-chief of Lux. Reflecting on her career progression, Reardon said her journey has taken her from identifying with the struggling Andy Sachs to recognizing herself in the authoritative Miranda Priestly. “I was Andy, and now I'm Miranda,” she said.
Why the Sequel Feels Personal
For Reardon, the release of The Devil Wears Prada 2 is more than just a cinematic event; it is a reminder of her own transformation within the fashion world. “When I watch The Devil Wears Prada 2, I don't see fiction. I see my life,” she said. Her story offers a striking real-world parallel to the film's central theme: that the brutal lessons of the fashion industry can shape not just careers, but entire identities.
From Young Assistant to Fashion Insider
Reardon said she began her fashion career at American Vogue in New York as a 19-year-old fashion assistant. At the time, she described herself as the “plump, badly-dressed one” in the office. She recalled that colleagues would even openly place bets on how long she would last in the high-pressure environment. “I started as the Anne Hathaway character,” Reardon said, drawing a direct comparison to Andy Sachs, the outsider assistant thrust into the ruthless world of high fashion.
The Career-Defining Mistake That Changed Everything
According to Reardon, a single mistake during a major high-production fashion shoot transformed the trajectory of her career. Her job at the time involved supporting clients and managing accessories during shoots while assisting her boss with styling models. During one elaborate shoot three hours outside New York, featuring supermodels, a helicopter, speedboats, and golf carts, her boss turned to her and asked where the shoes were.
Reardon had left them behind in the city. The error forced the entire team to crop every single image from the high-budget shoot. Her boss, she noted, did not scream or humiliate her. “She just looked at me and said very quietly, 'That's it.'”
Becoming a Logical Organizer
Reardon said that specific moment fundamentally reshaped her approach to professional work. “In that precise moment, in that singular heartbeat, I became the logical organiser,” she explained. She credits the experience with turning her into a disciplined, relentlessly organized, and reliable professional.
From Andy Sachs to 'Miranda'
Reardon went on to climb the fashion ladder, becoming a fashion director before spending a decade as a contributing editor at Vanity Fair. Fifteen years ago, she became the editor-in-chief of Tatler, and she now serves as the editor-in-chief of Lux. Reflecting on her career progression, Reardon said her journey has taken her from identifying with the struggling Andy Sachs to recognizing herself in the authoritative Miranda Priestly. “I was Andy, and now I'm Miranda,” she said.
Why the Sequel Feels Personal
For Reardon, the release of The Devil Wears Prada 2 is more than just a cinematic event; it is a reminder of her own transformation within the fashion world. “When I watch The Devil Wears Prada 2, I don't see fiction. I see my life,” she said. Her story offers a striking real-world parallel to the film's central theme: that the brutal lessons of the fashion industry can shape not just careers, but entire identities.
Next Story