Anne Hathaway captivated at the 2025 WWD Honors in a breathtaking vintage Valentino red gown, a fashion choice laden with personal history and a delightful connection to her beloved film, The Devil Wears Prada. Her appearance not only celebrated iconic designers but also sparked renewed fan speculation about a potential sequel.
On October 29, 2025, Anne Hathaway once again proved her status as a timeless style icon, gracing the WWD Honors in New York City in a spectacular archival Valentino gown. The choice of ensemble was more than just a fashion statement; it was a deeply personal tribute, weaving together her illustrious career, enduring relationships, and the indelible legacy of one of fashion’s most revered houses.
A Timeless Red for a Timeless Star
The dress, a stunning piece from Valentino’s Fall 2003 couture show, featured delicate spaghetti straps, a ruched corset-style bodice, and a floor-length skirt cascading in ruffled layers. Its signature red hue, known as Valentino Red, is legendary in the fashion world, first introduced by Valentino Garavani in 1959 with a tea-length dress called “La Fiesta” and eventually earning its own Pantone color distinction, as noted by Vogue.
Hathaway styled her look minimally, opting for elegant diamond jewels, a half-up, half-down hairstyle, and a bright coral lip that perfectly complemented the bold gown. She was accompanied by her husband, jewelry designer Adam Shulman, adding a romantic touch to the evening.
The Devil Wears Valentino: A Full-Circle Moment
The choice of a Valentino gown was particularly fitting, as the event honored the label’s co-founders, Giancarlo Giammetti and Valentino Garavani. However, the significance for fans of classic films ran even deeper. Hathaway revealed to reporters that she chose the dress partly because it debuted around the time she first met the iconic designers.
This pivotal meeting took place on the set of her beloved 2006 film, The Devil Wears Prada, where Giammetti and Garavani made memorable cameos as themselves. This connection turned Hathaway’s red carpet appearance into a nostalgic callback to the film that solidified her status as a style icon and introduced many to the high-stakes world of fashion.
The film, a cultural phenomenon, continues to resonate with audiences, and Hathaway’s nod to its origins has sent ripples of excitement through the fan community.
A Legacy of Red Carpet Royalty
Anne Hathaway’s relationship with Valentino spans nearly two decades. She has frequently chosen the Italian label for some of the most significant moments of her career, including three appearances at the prestigious Met Gala. Her preference for dipping into the brand’s extensive archive is well-documented, as seen with her historic ivory gown from Valentino’s Spring 1993 show at the 2023 Fashion Awards, and her memorable red gown at the 2011 Oscars, which she attended with Garavani himself.
Her consistent choice of vintage pieces highlights a growing trend in Hollywood, celebrating fashion history and sustainability.
Fan Theories and the Future of Miranda Priestly’s World
The implicit reference to The Devil Wears Prada through her vintage gown and her anecdote about meeting the designers has reignited fervent fan discussions. For years, whispers and wishes for a sequel, tentatively titled The Devil Wears Prada 2, have circulated. Hathaway’s playful remarks about convincing the designers to reprise their cameos in an upcoming sequel have only fanned these flames.
Fans have long debated what a sequel might entail for Andrea Sachs, Miranda Priestly, and the vibrant fashion industry they inhabit. The collective hope is that this recent full-circle moment for Hathaway and Valentino could be a subtle hint, or perhaps a powerful inspiration, for the long-awaited continuation of one of cinema’s most iconic fashion stories.
The WWD Honors, an event dedicated to recognizing influential figures in the fashion industry, provided the perfect backdrop for Hathaway’s thoughtful and deeply symbolic fashion choice. The organization itself has a long history of celebrating excellence and innovation in fashion, as detailed by WWD (Women’s Wear Daily). Hathaway’s presence, coupled with her poignant tribute, added a layer of cinematic magic to an already star-studded evening, cementing her place as a true connoisseur of both film and fashion.
