On April 8, 2026, the glitz and glamour of Hollywood met the bustling cityscape of Seoul as Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway graced the red carpet at Times Square in Yeongdeungpo-gu. The occasion? The much-anticipated premiere of 'The Devil Wears Prada 2,' a sequel that’s reignited not just cinematic excitement but also a fresh wave of fashion fervor. As the spotlight shone on the stars, it quickly became apparent that the film’s influence would stretch far beyond the silver screen, rippling through the fashion industry in ways both bold and unexpected.
According to Money Today, the timing couldn’t have been better for brands eager to ride the sequel’s stylish coattails. On May 5, 2026, LF, a major player in the Korean fashion industry, announced a collaboration with the New York-based contemporary brand Jill Stuart New York. The move is more than just a nod to the movie’s Manhattan backdrop—it’s a strategic effort to blend Jill Stuart’s urban sophistication with the energy of a New York summer. LF is preparing visual content that captures this vibe, with a focus on summer products that echo the city’s cosmopolitan flair.
But the fashion buzz doesn’t stop there. The sequel, much like its predecessor, is a sartorial showcase, with viewers obsessing over everything from dazzling party ensembles to breezy resort wear. Yet, it’s the approachable, everyday office looks that are truly stealing the show online. Social media platforms are brimming with “copy-the-look” content, where fans and influencers alike reimagine the film’s outfits for real life. As one industry insider put it to Money Today, “The styling from the movie has led to actual purchases, with social media and short-form content driving widespread 'copy-the-look' trends, resulting in significant promotional effects for brands.”
Kolon Industries FnC’s shoe brand, Suecomma Bonnie, is also getting in on the action. This May, they’ve launched a campaign centered on “copying the look from The Devil Wears Prada 2,” collaborating with influencers to spread the word. At the heart of their campaign is the now-iconic red high heel, a motif front and center in the movie’s posters. According to the company, this bold footwear symbolizes the modern power of fashion—a message they’ve channeled into their new spring-summer 2026 line, ‘The Aura.’ The brand is not only selling the shoes but also offering styling tips, hoping to inspire consumers to channel a bit of cinematic confidence in their own wardrobes.
This synergy between cinema and commerce is hardly accidental. The original film, released years ago, turned heads with its parade of high fashion, but the sequel seems to have tapped into something even more potent: the democratization of style. Thanks to platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and other social media channels, the “copy-the-look” phenomenon is no longer limited to fashion insiders. Everyday consumers are dissecting outfits, sharing tips, and, most importantly, shopping the looks they love. It’s a feedback loop that’s proving lucrative for brands, many of whom are eager to capitalize on the trend by launching movie-inspired collections and influencer-driven campaigns.
Yet, the impact of 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' is unfolding against a broader backdrop of shifting fashion trends—trends that are rewriting the rules of what’s considered appropriate or aspirational in the workplace. On May 4, 2026, Hankyung reported a remarkable surge in demand for see-through (sheer) clothing, especially among women in their 20s and 30s. Once relegated to party scenes or red-carpet events, sheer fabrics are now making a seamless transition into everyday and even office wear.
Sales data tell a compelling story. Over the past month, women’s fashion platform 29CM saw a 425% jump in see-through knitwear sales and a 370% increase in see-through T-shirt sales compared to the same period last year. Zigzag, another popular platform, reported see-through blouse and shirt sales up by 184% and 81%, respectively. W Concept also saw a 20% year-over-year rise in related products. These numbers aren’t just impressive—they’re indicative of a paradigm shift in how consumers view and wear sheer clothing.
So, what’s fueling this newfound enthusiasm? According to industry experts cited by Hankyung, the answer lies in versatility and a clever embrace of layering. Today’s see-through pieces aren’t about shock value; instead, they’re layered over basic tees or under skirts and pants, offering subtlety, comfort, and a hint of edge. The lightweight, wrinkle-resistant fabrics are perfect for Korea’s unpredictable spring and hot summers, making them a practical choice for the modern office.
There’s also a body-positive angle to the trend. Sheer fabrics, with their gentle drape, help smooth out silhouettes and flatter a range of body types—a detail not lost on the 20- and 30-something consumers driving the trend. And let’s not forget the celebrity factor: aespa’s Winter, for instance, recently turned heads by layering a pale green sheer shirt over a checkered one, sparking a flurry of social media posts and outfit recreations. What was once a daring choice for the boldest stars is now “something anyone can try,” as one observer put it.
Brands are responding with agility. Spao’s see-through shirt sales soared by a staggering 790% year-over-year from January through April 2026, while Vanessa Bruno’s sheer blouses, imported by LF, saw a 50% sales increase in April compared to the previous year. The Dahlia blouse, in particular, was such a hit it sold out in just four weeks, prompting the company to add a brown colorway for the upcoming fall-winter season.
As the lines between workwear and weekend wear blur, the office look is undergoing a quiet revolution. See-through styles, once considered risqué, are now embraced for their adaptability and subtle elegance. “In the past, see-through was a bold style only worn by celebrities, but now it’s been reinterpreted as a layered look and its range of use has widened,” a fashion industry representative told Hankyung. “It can be styled in many ways, regardless of the season, which is why it’s so popular among women in their 20s and 30s.”
All of this points to a fashion landscape in flux, where movies, music, and digital culture collide to produce trends that are both aspirational and accessible. Whether it’s the power of a red high heel or the subtle allure of a sheer blouse, today’s consumers are rewriting the rules—and brands are racing to keep up. As 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' continues to captivate audiences, its impact on real-world style is only just beginning to unfold.
For the fashion world, it’s clear: the runway, the red carpet, and the office are now closer than ever, and everyone’s invited to the party.