Fashion with a capital F is back, honey! Serving looks, power, camp, and playfulness, Lady Gaga and Doechii are exactly who they think they are in the new music video of Runway, the original song for the upcoming sequel of The Devil Wears Prada. They’re a match made in heaven: both are known for their over-the-top outfits on and off stage, and this new music video, directed by the brilliant Parris Goebel, is just another testament to that.
There’s Robert Wun couture (blue, although not quite cerulean), there’s custom Gaurav Gupta embellished bodysuits and Luar two-in-one pantsuit, there’s archive Viktor & Rolf and John Galliano for Dior, there’s Harris Reed, there are emerging designers like Bad Binch Tongtong, The Vxlley, and Miss Claire Sullivan, and there’s even some BDSM-inspired latex looks by VexClothing. Is there anything these two artists won’t do to turn looks?
As many fans noticed, the extremely colourful, vibrant, and joyous music video is a camp celebration of freedom and the way fashion can help people express themselves and also become whoever they want. There are nods to Lady Gaga’s past looks or eras, from Telephone’s yellow wig to Abracadabra’s red latex look, and references to historical fashion icons like Marie Antoinette and Leigh Bowery. Because, when it comes to fashion, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a monarch, a club kid, or a pop star — the goal is to have fun with it.
Finally arriving on the silver screen on May 1st, right before the MET Gala, and after a worldwide press tour that’s brought Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep to Mexico City, Shanghai, London, and New York, The Devil Wears Prada 2 is keeping fashionistas on the edge of their seats. Will it be as good as the first one? How have the characters evolved? No matter the result, one of the best things that’s come out of the movie is, clearly, Runway, a queer-coded song addressing empowerment, kikiing with friends, and being free to express yourself through clothing.