In the film *The Devil Wears Prada* (2006), the title is a symbolic shorthand for the film's central antagonist and the high-stakes world she inhabits. While it is never directly spoken by any character in the movie, it serves as a framing device for the plot's exploration of power, sacrifice, and the seductive nature of the fashion industry.
### **1. Significance in Relation to the Plot**
The title's significance is layered through several themes:
* **The Personification of the "Devil":** The "Devil" refers to **Miranda Priestly** (Meryl Streep), the demanding and often cruel editor-in-chief of *Runway* magazine. Her character is a "devil" not through supernatural means, but through her psychological warfare, impossible demands, and the way she discards people once they are no longer useful.
* **The Symbolism of Prada:** Prada is one of the world's most elite luxury brands. In the film, it represents the armor of the fashion elite—a world where appearing flawless and wearing the "right" labels is the only way to be taken seriously. The title suggests that evil or cruelty doesn't always look monstrous; it can be impeccably dressed, sophisticated, and alluring.
* **The Protagonist’s Descent:** The plot follows **Andy Sachs** (Anne Hathaway) as she slowly "sells her soul" to fit into Miranda's world. By the time the story reaches its climax in Paris, Andy has become the "Devil’s" right hand, even betraying her colleague Emily to secure her position. The title reflects the idea that if you want to work for the "Devil," you must eventually wear the "Prada"—meaning you must adopt the values and superficiality of that world to survive.
### **2. Direct References in the Film**
No character in the movie ever says the phrase "The Devil Wears Prada." However, the concept is referenced indirectly through dialogue and visual cues:
* **Nicknames and Reputation:** Characters frequently use other metaphors for Miranda’s "devilish" nature. She is called the **"Snow Queen"** and a **"legend."** When she arrives at the office, Nigel (Stanley Tucci) famously yells, **"Man your battle stations!"**—signaling that an antagonistic force is entering.
* **The "Cerulean" Monologue:** This scene is the most significant thematic reference to the title. Miranda explains to Andy that even though Andy thinks she is "above" the fashion world, her "lumpy blue sweater" was actually chosen for her years ago by the people in that room. This reinforces the title’s meaning: the "Devil" (the industry) influences everyone's lives, whether they realize it or not.
* **Visual Iconography:** The film’s marketing and title sequence use a **red high-heeled shoe where the stiletto is a pitchfork**. This visual directly ties the "Devil" (the pitchfork) to the "Prada" (the luxury shoe), even though the dialogue never explicitly makes the connection.
### **3. Behind the Scenes and Book Origin**
The title originated from the 2003 novel by **Lauren Weisberger**, who wrote the book as a *roman à clef* based on her real-life experience as an assistant to *Vogue* editor **Anna Wintour**.
* **Wintour’s Response:** In a famous meta-reference to the title, Anna Wintour herself attended the film's New York premiere—**wearing Prada** from head to toe.
* **The "Faust" Connection:** Screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna stated in interviews that she viewed the story as a modern **Faustian bargain**, where the title sets the stage for a character who "enters Hell" (the corporate fashion world) to gain what she wants, only to realize the cost of her soul.