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The 2003 book The Devil Wears Prada was ostensibly an expose on Anna Wintour, the powerful editor of fashion bible Vogue. So recruiting designers for the film version, in theaters now, was a delicate matter. After all, getting on Wintour's bad side might get you banned from the magazine.
The film's costume designer, Patricia Field, says some young designers were hesitant to potentially upset Wintour, who frequently champions unknown dressmakers.
"When I felt any reluctance, I never pushed it. I didn't want to put anybody in an uncomfortable position," Field says.
Most of the big names -- from Marc Jacobs and Donna Karan to Valentino and Calvin Klein -- were happy to participate. Given that Field's total fashion budget was a paltry $110,000, she relied on her fashion pals to loan her samples and one-of-a-kind garb. "I couldn't have done this movie on budget without my friends," she says.
Like Wintour, Prada's Miranda (Meryl Streep) "is the queen of fashion," Field says. "She has to have her own style as opposed to wearing anything trendy or of the moment. I didn't want labels to be recognizable on her." Her assistant Andy (Anne Hathaway) goes from sweaters to Galliano gowns while working at Runway magazine.
Here, Field breaks down Prada's key looks.
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