Devil Wears Prada: Andy Sachs Returns in the Age of AI Stylists

Anna Wintour steps down, and Andy Sachs returns to the screen, and a whole generation raised on the respective nuances of alpha-women and trailblazing across the big apple, lie in pure anticipation for a sequel they never thought they might live to witness. As part two is set to premier in early May 2026, at present, nostalgic fans have spiralled into euphoric satirical bliss and fresh Devil-novices await their chance to taste the grit of the long foretold fantasy of the dream job.

Fans and movie sceptics are elated at the released shot of Anne Hathaway’s Andrea Sachs, dressed in tailored casual, shades on,  and ready for business. One could only assume who may be on the other end of the line (my guess would be Emily).

Essentially, if it is one thing this movie might face, is confronting a time-jump, in order to connect with its audience – a crowd constituting an interception between those who followed in the story’s footsteps, and a prerogative that sets a new precedent for creatives in the making. So suppose, the sequel takes a turn for a more realistic point of view, instead of matching its fictional counterpart in Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns, could Andy Sachs be returning to an age of AI stylists? And does the honourary Miranda Priestly (played by Meryl Streep) remain steadfast in her pursuit to rule till the end?

Perhaps the real question is, does Sachs finally realises that perhaps, within this cutthroat landscape, Priestly was right? Or, would the avant-garde technology of 2025, do the heavy lifting?

The Ai Wardrobe: Tech That Replaces Taste

Futurism is no longer a concept, as it has become a reality modeled according to different aspects of modernism, and exclusively purported for different industries. More so, the integration of avant-garde technological influences, has even permeated the likes of the couture sphere, which in turn, upscales cultural aesthetics and anecdotes. And so, this network has furthered an agenda that ties the purity of traditional craftsmanship with cutting edge tech efficacy, to reshape how we perceive luxury and creativity, transforming garments into immersive experiences that, foremost, emulates stories behind fabric. 

AI-generated designs, virtual fashion shows, and digital wearables are actively blurring the boundaries between art, technology, and culture. As a result, futurism today, is no more about innovation underway, but reconceptualising tailored expressions in accordance to the coexistence of digital and corporeal. Now with the experiential AI technological functions of AI-powered wardrobe assistants like StyleDNA, The Yes, even the rather generalised OpenAI-driven tool, fashion look-books have become radically accessible. These curated platforms function on an individual taste and physical emblem, analysing body type and colour preferences and lifestyle data. In part, it unequivocally supports an upscale level  of democratising the elitist landscape by enabling accessibility, transforming the privilege of premium personal styling. 

You could literally hear the pursing lips of Miranda Priestly in the background.

Fashion That Feels Bespoke: But is Built with a Code

Well, one thing’s straight – the sequel’s premise is far from assuming some post-apocalyptic epoch, smothered by sci-fi gradations or TRON-deduced dystopias (I hardly think Ms Priestly could bear the thought). Instead, what we’re witnessing is a sleek recalibration of reality, where technology doesn’t overshadow style but amplifies it. Imagine less chrome-and-circuit clichés, and more intelligent fabrics, intuitive styling, and digital interfaces striving to achieve faultless perfection across personal expression. This comes in-tune to industrial advancements, as social media levels up, and algorithms scheme in alignment with Gen Z creators, authoring AI-generated outfit grids on Tik Tok and using virtual styling bots for daily dressing. 

Meanwhile, fashion houses are optimising AI refinements to create immersive experiences via virtual showrooms and AI-curated capsule collections , and collaborating with digital stylists to make this happen.

Miranda vs. Machine: Is AI the New Tastemaker?

At the cost of emotional nuance and editorial instinct, can an algorithm capture the layered meaning behind a silhouette or shade? Let’s be honest.  

Miranda Priestly’s iconic cerulean speech revealed how taste trickled from the top. Today, AI flips that model, drawing from mass consumer data to shape trends from the bottom up. Nonetheless, one can imagine Miranda not resisting, but refining, perhaps training the machine to embody her precision. Because if fashion must evolve, she would ensure it does so – flawlessly, even through code.

Andy Sachs 2.0: Reinvented, With or Without Miranda

As for a minor detour, re-looking at Hathaway’s past film endeavours, and one that springs to mind is her famously co-starring role with Robert De Niro in The Intern. A Nancy Meyers’ exploration of reversed roles and a narrative that dissects the dynamics of millennial leadership—curtailed, challenged, and at times complemented by boomer-level traditional habits. The film’s gentle yet plainly insightful commentary on generational tensions served its purpose, especially with Hathaway shouldering the role as CEO, it makes for a perfect benchmark to her upcoming undertaking in the Devil Wears Prada sequel – or so we think. Gone are the days of dog-walking, fetching lattes, and picking up unpublished manuscripts (you know J.K. Rowling would never agree to it). 

So, what could this Andy Sachs 2.0 really be? As she resides at the crux intersection of hyper AI innovation, audacious KOL boosters, and fast-fashion economic dominance. And so, as Hathaway adorns the Sachs namesake once again, the 2000s empowered working-class It-girl phenomena, it is almost certain that her evolution could mirror the current wave of women in fashion. Through blending tech fluency and creative instinct, Andy Sachs 2.0 may persist, and deadly unapologetic in pursuit, to emanate the familial power that once disrupted Priestly’s unscrupulous ethics. 

In line with Wintour’s timely step down (only to assume a higher role), much can be said and imaginatively explored, about the potential power dynamics between the fictional devil and her ex-assistant, in the upcoming sequel.