They once clashed as the icy editor of a high-fashion magazine and the frumpy assistant left scrambling in her wake.

But nearly 20 years on, Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway appeared to be taking style cues from one another at the New York premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2.

And the stars looked remarkably more glamorous in gowns by designers worthy of their onscreen characters than when they were on the red carpet for the first film in 2006.

Ms Hathaway, 43, who reprises her role as Andy Sachs, wore a crimson strapless Louis Vuitton gown with a sculpted bodice and Bulgari jewellery.

Ms Streep, meanwhile, was in a vivid red cape gown from Givenchy's Fall 2026 collection. 

The 76-year-old Oscar winner, who plays the formidable Runway editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly, accessorised with a pair of oversized sunglasses – her character's signature look.

Ms Blunt, 43, who plays Miranda's acid-tongued assistant Emily Charlton, wore a sculptural

Schiaparelli gown featuring more than 300 hand-stitched pearls. And Stanley Tucci, 65, was in a velvet Giorgio Armani suit.

Their haute-couture look was a far cry from the New York premiere 20 years ago where Ms Hathaway wore a red cowl neck dress, Ms Streep a white beaded cocktail dress and Ms Blunt a strappy purple gown with lace.

The sequel, based on characters from Lauren Weisberger's bestselling novel, is due for release on May 1.