Did You Spot These Filipino References in The Devil Wears Prada 2
With strong reviews from critics and audiences, already surpassing the box office of the original movie in just its second week, and sparking renewed discourse on media and journalism’s place in today’s world, The Devil Wears Prada 2 is already a success on multiple levels. One of the biggest movies of 2026 is poised to be remain a hot topic in the coming months.
But what viewers, especially from the Philippines, may not have noticed is that the long-awaited sequel includes a handful of Filipino references and details. Were these intentionally done for Filipino fans? Most likely not, but it is a nice coincidence for the biggest fashion movie of 2026 to recognize Filipino clothing and talent and give them an even greater spotlight on the big screen. Check them out below.
RELATED: Beyond the Fashion, The Devil Wears Prada 2 Is About What It Means To Be a Journalist Today
Spoilers for The Devil Wears Prada 2 ahead.
Amari’s Filipino-Designed Clutch
Amari, Miranda Priestly’s new first assistant, is one of the most stylish new characters introduced in the second movie. So, the fact that she has a Filipino designer in her closet honestly makes sense. During the film’s opening gala scene, Amari is seen holding a Rafé New York Azura Asymmetric Minaudière Clutch in Violet from US-based Filipino designer Rafé Totengco’s label. While the clutch didn’t get much screen time in the movie, it was a moment that spotlighted Filipino design, especially with the bag’s eye-catching architectural design.
Sasha Barnes Wears Monique Lhuillier
Before the movie’s release, fans were waiting to see what role Lucy Liu would play. It turns out that her character is the smart yet elusive Sasha Barnes, who has shunned media interviews following her divorce from her tech billionaire ex-husband. Andy manages to get the “Holy Grail” interview by securing an exclusive interview and cover shoot with Sasha in her Vermont mansion. Included in the special moment is a Filipino designer.
As seen in the editorial spread styled by Nigel, Sasha wears a strapless gold lamé dress that’s actually from Filipino designer Monique Lhuillier. Making the inclusion extra special, the dress was the one featured on the cover, which we would later find out would become one of Runway’s most successful covers and stories in years. And if you’re wondering, you can buy the dress yourself, that’s sure to turn heads.
A Cameo From Lady Gaga’s Filipino Hairstylist
One of the sequel’s worst-kept secrets was that Lady Gaga would appear in the movie, given that she made multiple songs for the film’s soundtrack. But what we didn’t know was that her team would also appear in the movie, including her Filipino hairstylist. During Gaga’s scene, she is getting ready in her dressing room for the Runway show when Miranda walks in. While they don’t have any speaking lines, Gaga’s glam team is seen in the shot, which is where you can spot her Filipino hairstylist, Frederic Aspiras.
Frederic, who is of Filipino, Vietnamese, and American descent, has been Gaga’s longtime hairstylist and has been responsible for some of the pop star’s most iconic hair moments. He is also no stranger to working on movies, having served as Gaga’s hairstylist on her films such as A Star Is Born and House of Gucci, the latter of which earned him an Oscar nomination for Makeup and Hairstyling, becoming the first Asian-American hairstylist in history to do so.
Andy’s Missing Filipino-American Roommate
As packed and star-studded as The Devil Wears Prada 2 is, there were a handful of cameos, actors, and scenes not included in the final cut. One of those is Filipino-American actor Conrad Ricamora. He was originally cast to play Andy’s roommate and filmed scenes with Anne Hathaway. However, those moments didn’t make it into the released film following feedback from test screenings. Given that Andy already has her friend Lily from the first movie and her new love interest Peter, the exclusion made sense, story-wise at least. Though we do hope that this missed opportunity will be rectified in an extended cut featuring Conrad’s character when the movie comes to streaming and home video.
Photos: RAFÉ NEW YORK (via Instagram), 20TH CENTURY FOX (via Website), CONRAD RICAMORA (via Instagram)
Frequently Asked Questions
Amari, Miranda Priestly’s stylish new first assistant, is seen carrying a Rafé New York Azura Asymmetric Minaudière Clutch in Violet. This piece is the work of US-based Filipino designer Rafé Totengco and, despite its brief screen time, it stands out as a significant moment for Filipino design on the big screen. The clutch’s architectural aesthetic perfectly complements the character’s high-fashion wardrobe during the movie’s major social event.
In the pivotal scene where Andy secures an exclusive interview with the elusive Sasha Barnes, the character is styled for a Runway cover shoot in a strapless gold lamé dress by Filipino designer Monique Lhuillier. This inclusion is particularly special because the dress is featured on the cover that eventually becomes one of the magazine’s most successful stories in years. The gown highlights the influence of Filipino talent in the film’s most high-stakes editorial moments.
The acclaimed hairstylist Frederic Aspiras, who is of Filipino descent, makes a cameo appearance as part of Lady Gaga’s glam team. During a scene where Miranda Priestly visits Gaga in her dressing room, Aspiras can be spotted working in the background. As Gaga’s longtime collaborator and an Oscar-nominated stylist, his presence brings a sense of real-world industry authenticity to the movie’s portrayal of a major fashion show.
Conrad Ricamora was cast and filmed scenes as Andy’s roommate, though his character was ultimately removed from the theatrical version of the film. Following feedback from test screenings, the production decided to focus more on Andy’s existing relationships with Lily and her new love interest, Peter. While his scenes were cut for the sake of the story’s flow, there is hope among fans that his performance will be included in an extended cut when the movie moves to streaming platforms.
While the film includes several prominent Filipino designers and talents, these details are likely a result of the creators choosing the best in the industry rather than an intentional tribute. Nevertheless, the coincidence provides a significant spotlight for Filipino artistry in 2026’s biggest fashion film. These references offer a nice easter egg for Filipino fans who are watching the global success of the sequel.
The post Did You Spot These Filipino References in The Devil Wears Prada 2 first appeared on MEGA.
Did You Spot These Filipino References in The Devil Wears Prada 2
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