'The Devil Wears Prada 2' puts a spotlight on Italy's fashion capital

Prada may have a title role in “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” which premiered in Italy's fashion capital on Thursday, but fashion at large gets a spotlight and Milan a supporting role.

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Women's shoes are seen part of an installation of the new movie 'Devil Wears Prada 2' at La Rinascente shopping center, in Milan, Italy.

(Photos: Associated Press)

The film evokes Prada without being about the storied fashion house that has become synonymous with Milan. In homage, Meryl Streep and Anna Wintour both wear Prada on a current Vogue cover celebrating the film about a demanding fashion editor. But when part of the movie was shot in Milan during fashion week last September, a Dolce & Gabbana runway show, not Prada, was the backdrop for a scene featuring Streep and Stanley Tucci. ""When you think of Prada, when you think of the Prada brand, you also think of Milan. This is obviously good for the fashion system," said Tommaso Sacchi, Milan’s counselor for culture. “It’s a film that is good for the city.”

That enthusiasm is spilling over to a popup at Milan's main department store, where aficionados of the film and fashionistas have flocked to take selfies at a replica of fictitious fashion editor Miranda Priestly’s desk and against the backdrop of a faux Runway magazine mock-up cover. VIPs attending the film's Italian premiere on Thursday, ahead of its global release next week, will attend a cocktail in the space. The Rinascente CEO, Mariella Elia, said the response to the popup — which is announced by giant statues of the iconic red pumps outside the store — shows that people have “a desire for lightness.”