It’s hard to believe The Devil Wears Prada entered our world 18 years ago, turning its protagonist, Anne Hathaway, into the boilerplate for the type of fictional fashion editor who’s still referenced today.
As in the movie (after her chic-over), Hathaway has the type of polished and poised style that makes it look like she just stepped out of the pages of RUNWAY Magazine. Since her breakthrough role as Mia Thermopolis at the age of 18 in the global box office hit The Princess Diaries, Hathaway has been exuding radiance typically synonymous with old Hollywood stars. This is largely down to her classic sense of style, flawless red carpet and promotional appearances, innate elegance, and megawatt smile.
Around 2019, when Hathaway was pregnant with her second child, she began collaborating with Erin Walsh. What came next is a five-year journey that has transformed the star from the industry’s girl next door with reliably consistent hits to a fully-fledged pop culture icon and front-row fixture — someone whom the internet regularly gives its utmost praise to: “Mother” Hathaway has entered the chat.
Proving that maturing doesn’t mean forgoing badass style, you’re likely to see Hathaway, 41, kitted out in sculptural body-hugging Versace on any day of the week and gracing best-dressed lists everywhere. “Erin sees my idiosyncrasies as a strength,” Hathaway has said of her award-winning stylist and their style language together. “Maybe there was initial confusion with me because I was introduced to the world as a teenage princess, but I never actually connected to things that are ‘sweet’ and ‘pretty’ — no shade at all for those wonderful options. I love the right risk, as does she.”
As for all the talk of her fashion evolution, particularly in the last year, the Oscar-winning star has also gone on record saying, “I’ve never had this much fun — and it’s supposed to be fun, right?” We love to hear it.
Read on for Hathaway’s most memorable looks that have cemented her status as a fashion icon.
Anne Hathaway in custom Gap by Zac Posen at the Bvlgari Aeterna event in 2024
If you haven’t seen Hathaway’s seductive custom white shirt dress by Gap’s newly-instated creative director Zac Posen, where have you been? The simple and sophisticated frock was the perfect backdrop for out-of-this-world Bvlgari jewelry when Hathaway stepped out to celebrate the brand’s 140th anniversary recently.
Anne Hathaway in Versace at The Idea of You premiere in 2024
Looking fire in fiery red: for the NYC premiere of her rom-com The Idea of You, Hathaway dialed up the heartbreaker factor in a hot-hot-hot cutout red gown by one of her go-to luxury labels, Versace.
Anne Hathaway in Atelier Versace at the SAG Awards in 2024
For her widely-publicized reunion on stage with her The Devil Wears Prada co-stars, Emily Blunt and Meryl Streep. Naturally, Hathaway would have to be wearing a shade of blue (alas, not quite cerulean…..). Furthermore, she dazzled in a cobalt Atelier Versace gown with an off-the-shoulder neckline and large waist belt, accompanied by a sparkling Bvlgari necklace. Miranda Priestly would indeed be proud!
Anne Hathaway in Valentino at the Film Independent Spirit Awards in 2024
It’s not often we see Hathaway in pants on the red carpet, but she’s proved that there’s little she can’t ace. Case in point: this shimmering sequin Valentino jumpsuit at the Film Independent Spirit Awards earlier this year.
Anne Hathaway in Versace at the Met Gala in 2023
In arguably one of her best-ever red carpet show-stoppers, Hathaway and newly-minted bestie Donatella Versace hit the town together for the Met Gala honoring Karl Lagerfeld in 2023. In a fashion fanatic’s dream concoction, Hathaway wore a Chanel-ified take on Versace’s iconic 1990s safety pin dress and was unanimously crowned one of the evening’s best dressed.
Anne Hathaway in Atelier Versace at the Bvlgari Mediterranea High Jewelry event in 2023
2023 truly was the year of Hathaway and Versace’s love affair. While attending the star-studded Bvlgari Mediterranea High Jewelry celebration in Venice, her crystalized gown from the Spring 2022 Atelier Versace offering was the perfect accompaniment to her Bvlgari jewels and bag.
Anne Hathaway in Versace at the Albies in 2023
At the Clooney Foundation For Justice’s “The Albies” Awards in NYC, Hathaway was a vision in figure-hugging chainmail. Her much talked-about lime and silver chevron and lace gown by Versace had literally walked the runway in Milan mere hours before. Fashion magic!
Anne Hathaway in Ralph Lauren at the CFDA Fashion Awards in 2023
Now that’s what we call denim and diamonds! For her gig hosting the CFDA Fashion Awards, Hathaway gave fans a memorable moment to obsess over thanks to a printed light-wash denim corset and skirt from Ralph Lauren’s Spring 2024 show, which she jazzed up with a scene-stealing diamond choker.
Anne Hathaway in Valentino at the Valentino Haute Couture show in 2022
Dare we say this was the real moment that Hathaway re-emerged as a forerunner amongst Tinsel Town’s most stylish stars? Her standout #PPPink look almost broke Instagram when she stepped out in the embellished mini and matching sky-high platforms.
Anne Hathaway in Valentino Couture at a screening for Armageddon Time in 2022
Proving she can do a full runway look like the best of them, Hathaway went all in with this encrusted silver dress and matching boots from the aforementioned famed Valentino Haute Couture Fall 2022 show that took place on the Spanish Steps in Rome for a promotional appearance during the New York Film Festival. Nailed it!
Anne Hathaway in David Koma at WeCrashed premiere in 2022
Wowza! For the NYC premiere of her tv show WeCrashed, Hathaway knocked it out of the park in a custom powder blue David Koma dress that featured a built-in black bra, peek-a-boo cutouts, and a daring leg slit — further accentuating her pins in a pair of Aquazzura’s beloved bow tie pumps.
Anne Hathaway in Ralph Lauren and Bvlgari at the ELLE Women in Hollywood celebration in 2022
For her recognition as a true Hollywood power player, Hathaway opted for all-American design icon Ralph Lauren when it came to the perfect ensemble for her night in the spotlight. She teamed the navy sequin slip dress with a show-stopping silver Bvlgari Serpenti necklace, barely-there sandals, and her soon-to-be omnipresent choppy bangs.
Anne Hathaway in Chanel at the MoMA Film Benefit in 2021
Hathaway channeled pared-back Parisian elegance at the MoMA Film Benefit in head-to-toe Chanel from the Resort 2022 collection.
Anne Hathaway in Atelier Versace at the Critics Choice Awards in 2020
For the 2020 Critics Choice Awards, shortly before the pandemic shut down promotional events for the remainder of the year, Hathaway was a postpartum vision in shimmering Atelier Versace — the start of a subsequent epic fashion partnership between the actress, Walsh, and designer Donatella.
Anne Hathaway in Oscar de la Renta at the screening of Modern Love in 2019
2019 marked a turning point in Hathaway’s fashion playbook as she began her symbiotic relationship with super stylist Erin Walsh. In the fall of that year, Hathaway turned to the renowned stylist while pregnant with her second child. In one of their earliest partnerships, Hathaway is seen wearing a chic yet comfortable asymmetric top and trousers by Oscar de la Renta for a screening.
Anne Hathaway in Jean Paul Gaultier Couture at the premiere of Oceans 8 in 2018
For the NYC premiere of the big-budget picture Oceans 8, Hathaway joined her co-stars in a look that was out of the ordinary from her typically monochromatic outfits and sleek silhouettes. Instead, she turned to a racer-neck voluminous printed gown from Jean Paul Gaultier’s Haute Couture collection.
Anne Hathaway in Naeem Khan at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party in 2016
Acing maternity style while heavily pregnant at the Vanity Fair Oscars bash, Hathaway looked every inch the glowing first-time mom-to-be in a metallic and black Naeem Khan kaftan gown, Irene Neuwirth earrings, and a Jimmy Choo clutch.
Anne Hathaway in Ralph Lauren at the Met Gala in 2015
In a memorable moment, Hathaway hit the red carpet for the China: Through The Looking Glass exhibit opening night in a custom Ralph Lauren gold lamé evening dress featuring an ethereal matching hood. Keeping the look streamlined and allowing the gown to do all the talking, she opted for slicked-back hair to show off an ear full of diamond cuffs.
Anne Hathaway in Calvin Klein at the Met Gala in 2014
Stepping out in a timeless look that the late and great couturier Charles James would be proud of, Hathaway was a classic beauty in fire engine red at the 2014 Met Gala, honoring his contributions to fashion. Hathaway attended as a guest of Calvin Klein and was dressed in a strapless square-neckline cropped top and skirt ensemble by designer Francisco Costa, which she paired with Gianvito Ross pumps and a sculptural Rauwolf clutch bag.
Anne Hathaway in Chanel Couture at the Golden Globes in 2013
To accept her Best Supporting Actress accolade for her role in Les Miserables (still featuring the gamine pixie cut she adapted for the project), Hathaway took to the red carpet and the stage in a divine pristine white embellished Chanel Couture number.
Anne Hathaway in Valentino at the NYC Ballet Fall Gala in 2012
For a star-studded gala honoring designer Valentino Garavani and celebrating his costume designs for the season, Hathaway wore, you guessed it, an exquisite embroidered sheer gown from the Valentino Fall 2012 Haute Couture collection, accessorized by a Roger Vivier Boite de Nuit clutch.
Anne Hathaway in Valentino at the Love & Other Drugs screening in 2010
With none other than Mr Valentino on her arm — as well as co-star Jake Gyllenhaal — Hathaway was angelic in a white mini dress with fringe-trimmed tiers, embroidery anglaise, and a chiffon bow tie for a NYC screening of her 2010 rom-com.
Anne Hathaway in Armani Privé at the Academy Awards in 2009
Jaws dropped in awe when the star descended on the Oscars in 2009. Ahead of her opening number with Hugh Jackman later that evening, Hathaway ensured all eyes were on her in a strapless iridescent cream and gold fish-tail gown by Armani Privé.
Anne Hathaway at the Valentino 45th Anniversary Celebration Gala in Rome in 2007
She’s always been a Valentino girlie! For the luxury house’s 45th anniversary affair in its home city of Rome, the actress was the epitome of elegance in a halterneck, low-back black gown with white beaded detailing.
Anne Hathaway in Alberta Ferretti at the Venice Film Festival in 2006
Riding high on the wave of international fame once The Devil Wears Prada hit theaters worldwide, Hathaway stepped out looking every inch the Grecian goddess in a draped column gown by Alberta Ferretti for the Venice Film Festival.
Anne Hathaway in her famous Fed Up t-shirt at the 2004 Teen Choice Awards
We couldn’t not! This infamous tee shows that Hathaway has always let her personality and beliefs shine through her fashion choices. The t-shirt, which reads ‘We Need Freedom and Unity’ underneath ‘Fed Up’ in the vein of the FedEx logo, was paired with ultra Y2K low-rise bell bottom jeans and a white studded belt and is still recognizable today, with no shortage of copies available on websites for those who want to nod to the look two decades later.
Anne Hathaway at the Princess Diaries premiere in 2001
A star is born! The emerging actress was still in her late teens when the film made a splash around the world. Fun fact: Director Garry Marshall was convinced by his two daughters to cast the then-unknown Hathaway in the flick over more famous faces, as they said she had the perfect “princess hair.”