Have you ever wondered about the inspiration behind the popular book and movie, “Le Diable S’habille en Prada” (The Devil Wears Prada)? The novel by Lauren Weisberger, which was later adapted into a movie starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway, tells the story of a young woman named Andrea Sachs who works as an assistant to a powerful fashion magazine editor named Miranda Priestly. The book and film have become cultural touchstones, but did you know that they were inspired by real-life events?
The character of Miranda Priestly is widely believed to be based on Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine. Wintour is known for her signature bob haircut and her reputation as a demanding boss. She has been at the helm of Vogue since 1988 and has become one of the most influential figures in the fashion industry.
While Weisberger has never confirmed that Wintour was her inspiration for Miranda Priestly, there are several similarities between the two women. Both are known for their impeccable taste in fashion and their ability to spot trends before they become mainstream. They are also both notoriously difficult to work for, with high standards for their employees.
In fact, Weisberger worked as an assistant to Wintour before writing “Le Diable S’habille en Prada.” Her experiences working at Vogue inspired much of the novel’s plot and characters.
In an interview with The New York Times, Weisberger said that she wrote the book as a way to process her own experiences working in the fashion industry. She also noted that while some of the characters in the book were based on real people she knew, others were entirely fictional.
Despite its fictional elements, “Le Diable S’habille en Prada” struck a chord with readers who recognized some of their own experiences in Andrea’s struggles with her demanding boss. The book became a bestseller and was later adapted into a movie that grossed over $300 million worldwide.
In conclusion, while the character of Miranda Priestly may not be a direct representation of Anna Wintour, it is clear that the fashion industry and Weisberger’s experiences working within it heavily influenced the story. “Le Diable S’habille en Prada” is a fascinating exploration of power dynamics in the workplace and an entertaining look at the behind-the-scenes workings of the fashion industry.