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Why is Patricia Field ("Devil Wears Prada," "The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing") the go-to stylist of the moment?
"For me, she has an uncanny sense of color and innovation," says David Frankel, director of "Prada," who has collaborated with Field for 15 years, previously on both "Sex and the City" and "Miami Rhapsody." "She combines things in fantastic ways. And she seems to have a genius for interpreting trends and seeing what will be popular in a year, which is important with film, because you have to anticipate what is going to be popular with audiences."
Frankel also says she is an integral part of the team that includes the director, cinematographer and actors. "They are committed to the idea that the clothes make the woman. It was very helpful for Meryl and Annie. For Stanley Tucci, the piece de resistance was when he put on this huge ring. Pat said, 'Tuck your sweater in.' He had the character. Her confidence gave them confidence."
"She is a great collaborator," says Sarah Jessica Parker , who was Field's paper doll for seven years. "I mean she completely understands the definition of it. And then she simply thinks like nobody else. There are no rules, she's not afraid of risk, and she's not afraid of failure. She would bring pictures from Japan, I remember, and pictures of women in nightclubs in Greece, and say, 'This is what people are doing! This is what people are doing!' And she was vigilant.
"She's one of the things I miss most about doing the show. I miss it so much. And I was so excited when I saw 'Prada,' to see her work. She keeps it of the moment, you know? She made sure that [Fendi] Spy bag was in there, and they filmed it, what, six months ago?
"I really hope people appreciate her work and know that just because it's contemporary clothing and current doesn't make it easier. It's a lot harder because everybody has a point of reference, and everybody has an opinion now about everything."
But Field recently walked off the set of "Girls' Guide" in a swirl of controversy. Gossip said it was because of Alec Baldwin. But Field set the record straight.
"It was because the movie was run by a bunch of amateurs, except for the two actors, who were experienced. And it just turned into a disorganized mess, so I left. It wasn't Alec Baldwin. I tried to finish, but it was difficult. I left three weeks before the end. It was done."
The movie is in its final week of production with David Robinson taking over for Field as costumer.
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