A glamorous guide on how to live out The Devil Wears Prada in London.
In The Devil Wears Prada, Miranda Priestly is the editor of the fashion magazine Runway. She doesn’t simply move through New York – she commands it. Played by Meryl Streep, Miranda’s world is one of precision, polish, and standards as tall as a model on the cover of her magazine. London may not be New York, but it would be one of Miranda’s pit stops during London Fashion Week – and it was for the star-studded cast, who held a premiere for The Devil Wears Prada 2 in Leicester Square.
For Miranda, every coffee must be exact, every outfit intentional, and every second accounted for. If you want to do your homework, watch The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical at the Dominion Theatre, and the new film is in cinemas now. Here’s how to navigate the capital as she would — heels are optional, style is essential.
Breakfast at Simpson’s in the Strand
The day begins before anyone else is awake. In The Devil Wears Prada, coffee in New York is a staple, and it would be the same in London. Miranda’s assistant is repeatedly sent out for coffee in the early hours – it must be correct and without delay. If you’re looking for somewhere that serves it early (along with breakfast), head to Simpson’s in the Strand. The restaurant first opened in 1828, and has stood on the Strand since 1904. Jeremy King, a titan of the restaurant industry, has overseen its refurbishment. Breakfast starts at 7am and includes fruit, granola, and muesli. If you are after more than what Miranda’s second assistant calls “a cube of cheese”, specialities include Bubble and Squeak, Devilled Kidneys, Grilled Kipper, and Smoked Haddock.
Where: Simpson’s,100 Strand, London, WC2R 0EZ
Contact: www.simpsonsinthestrand.co.uk
Shopping at Savile Row
Shopping is strategic. Britain is the birthplace of the trench coat, top hat and three-piece suit. On Savile Row, you shop with purpose. There is no browsing for the sake of it. Book time for a personal fitting, and invest in a tailored piece. Miranda would not buy excessively; she would buy correctly. Daisy Knatchbull is behind Savile Row’s first women’s tailoring house, Knatchbull (formerly The Deck London). She was also the first woman to wear a tailored morning dress to Royal Ascot – no doubt, a staple on Miranda’s high-society calendar.
Where: 32 Savile Row, London W1S 3PT
Contact: https://knatchbull.com
Visit the Victoria and Albert Museum
Each year, the Met Gala is hosted by the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, led by Anna Wintour. The British equivalent would be the Victoria and Albert Museum. Draw inspiration from the fashion collection, which spans five centuries, from 17th-century gowns to Coco Chanel’s eveningwear. The museum has held groundbreaking exhibitions, from retrospectives on Alexander McQueen to David Bowie. This is the place to learn about history, fabrics, and – dare we say it – cerulean. After all, taste is not accidental; it is informed.
Where: Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL
Contact: https://www.vam.ac.uk
Lunch at Soho House
Private members’ clubs would be a normal meeting place for Miranda. She would have a Soho House membership, which she could use around the world. This is where the special relationship between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle blossomed, and they had their first date. While much of it is closed off to the public, there are restaurants you can visit. Located in Soho, Kettner’s is open to the public. Soho blends historic glamour with modern French-inspired food. Dishes include Côte de Boeuf, Poulet aux Morilles and Terrine de Campagne.
Where: Soho House, 29 Romilly Street, London, W1D 5AL
Contact: www.sohohouse.com
Hop on a helicopter
Miranda is the epitome of cash-rich and time-poor. If the schedule requires it, a private jet would be her norm, darlings. In The Devil Wears Prada, she expects to travel from Miami to New York, only for a hurricane to hit the East Coast. If you do not have time to move at a glacial pace, board a helicopter. Battersea Helicopter offers tours as well as transfers to Ascot, Brighton, Silverstone and airports. Time, after all, is the real luxury.
Where: Battersea Helicopter, The POD Building, Bridges Court Road, London, SW11 3BE
Contact: www.batterseahelicopter.com
Hair appointment at Larry King Hair
Hershesons or George Northwood Salon are the go-to for cool girls – à la Alexa Cheung. Miranda would head to Larry King Salon for that discreet hair appointment. Voted the Best London Hair Salon by Harper’s Bazaar, it’s popular with fashion editors, and services range from a blow dry to grey blending. Founder Larry has worked on covers and the catwalk, and with models ranging from the Hadid sisters to the Delevingne sisters. The salons are located in Marylebone, Notting Hill, South Kensington and Monaco – as you need your hair fix when you’re at the Grand Prix, darling.
Where: Larry King Hair, 34 – 36 Harrington Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 3ND
Contact: https://larrykinghair.com
Dine at Smith & Wollensky
In The Devil Wears Prada, Miranda orders Andrea to bring her steak from Smith & Wollensky. Founded in 1977, it began in New York and now has a London outpost. Situated in the Adelphi Building (conveniently enough, where British Vogue is based), it specialises in meat, glorious meat. The beef is USDA Prime, dry-aged, and butchered on-site, making it one of the few steakhouses in London to combine all three. A celebrity favourite, it has appeared in productions including McMafia, The Crown, and The Cuckoo’s Calling.
Where: Smith & Wollensky, 1–11 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6HT
Contact: www.smithandwollensky.co.uk
Drink at The American Bar
Miranda would be seen at The American Bar in The Savoy. Located on the Strand, it opened in 1893 and was popular with her fellow citizens, including Ernest Hemingway, Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra. In 1950, the hotel even held a Dior fashion. Guests are expected to be just as well-dressed, as the dress code is “comfortable and elegant attire”. Drinks are aptly named, from the Moon Landing to Red Carpet.
Where: The American Bar, The Strand, London WC2R 0EZ
Contact: https://thesavoylondon.com
Sleep at Brown’s Hotel
Brown’s Hotel is tucked away on Albemarle Street, Mayfair. Opened in 1837, it is one of London’s oldest hotels, with a guest list that includes American alumni, from Mark Twain to Theodore Roosevelt – the latter chose it for his honeymoon. The appeal lies in the hotel’s quiet confidence. Miranda wouldn’t check in, she would arrive, and the Sir Paul Smith Suite would be ready. Created by the British designer, the suite combines fun, finesse and, of course, fashion with its antiques and artwork. You’ll be counting shoes in your sleep. That’s all.
Where: Brown’s Hotel, Albemarle Street, London, W1S 4BP
Contact: www.roccofortehotels.com