The book that Miranda asks Andy to retrieve for her twin daughters is Harry Potter Book 7. One of the prop books used in the movie sold in an on line auction for $586.00 and proceeds went to Dress for Success, a non-profit organization that assists more than 45,000 disadvantaged women each year as they transition into the workforce.
A 'Runway' issue is displayed behind Emily's desk, next to the fax machine. It features a cover with three models. It is based on the real cover of VOGUE August 2004 issue, featuring Priscilla Presley, Lisa Marie Presley and Danielle Riley Keough.
The newspaper that hires Andy is the New York Mirror. The Mirror was a real newspaper that ended in 1898, and often published first editions of Edgar Allan Poe.
Meryl Streep's daughter, Mamie Gummer, played a Starbucks clerk, but her scene was cut for pacing.
Gisele Bündchen agreed to be in the movie only if she didn't play a model. Stanley Tucci was one of the last actors cast. Daniel Sunjata had originally read for Tucci's part, rather unenthusiastically since he had just finished playing a similar character, but then read the Holt part and asked if he could audition for it. Simon Baker auditioned by sending a video of himself, wearing the same self-designed green jacket he has on when he and Andrea meet for the first time.
Only Valentino, who had designed the black gown Meryl Streep wears in the museum benefit scene, chose to make an appearance.
Anne Hathaway prepared for the part by volunteering for a week as an assistant at an auction house.
The idea of having Miranda appear without any make-up in the scene where she opens up to Andrea and worries about the effect of her divorce's public disclosure on her daughters was Meryl Streep's idea.
The role of "Nigel" was offered to Javier Cámara but he didn't accept it.
The recurrent need for Hermès scarves comes from the novel as in the novel it is Miranda's trademark that she always has a white Hermès scarf somewhere on her person
The date of Andrea's job interview shown in her appointment book is Monday, 13 March 2006.
The Elias-Clarke Publishing building was actually the McGraw-Hill Publishing offices at 49th and 6th in midtown Manhattan.
In one of the original drafts, Miranda explains how she started out as an assistant and worked her way up. It is also revealed where she grew up: Pearl River, New York. The scene then continues on to the scene of Miranda confessing her divorce to Andy. This however isn't true to the book as Miranda was born Miriam Princhek, to orthodox Jews, in the East End of London and started off as an assistant to an English designer. She became well known in London fashion and started learning French at night to soon become junior editor of Chic magazine in Paris. At 24 she changed her name to Miranda Priestly, replaced her rough, London accent with a sophisticated one before spending 10 years at French Runway before she was transferred to New York.
In the book, Andy's boyfriend, Nate, is a teacher. In the movie, he is a chef. His name was also Alex in the book.
The first bag we see Miranda carry into the office is, appropriately, a Prada bag.
In the English audio track Nigel says that Miranda is not supposed to arrive until 9. In the French audio track, she's not due to arrive until 9.15
Anna Wintour, the formidable editor of Vogue (and the rumored inspiration for Miranda Priestly), was not invited to the premiere. She did however attend an advance screening for the press (dressed, head-to-toe, in Prada.)
Over 100 sets of twins auditioned the role of Caroline and Cassidy (Miranda's daughters).
In the last scene between Miranda and Andy, Andy asks Miranda if the lifestyle that Miranda led wasn't what she wanted. Miranda responds, "Everyone wants this. Everyone wants to be us." The original line was "Everyone wants to be me." However, Meryl Streep did not like this line, finding it too self involved and dramatic. At the table reading of the script, Meryl organically changed the line to "Everyone wants to be us." The line change stuck and was used in the film.
The character of Emily, played by Emily Blunt was not supposed to be British in the script.
Emily Blunt was cast before Anne Hathaway. In several scenes, she is seen running about in the background - though never written or directed, she felt her character would always be busy and wanted to keep her alive in the film. Also, most of her wardrobe is from Vivienne Westwood.
The character of Miranda Priestley is supposedly based on Anna Wintour (her nickname in the industry is 'Nuclear Wintour').
Anna Wintour, the powerful Vogue editor on whom Streep's character was widely believed to be based in the novel (Weisberger once worked as her assistant), reportedly warned major fashion designers who had been invited to make cameo appearances as themselves in the film that they would be banished from the magazine's pages if they did so. Wintour's spokespeople deny this claim; however, it is notable that Vogue and other major women's and fashion magazines have avoided reviewing or even mentioning the book in their pages.
Many fashion designers allowed their clothes and accessories to be used in the film, making it the most expensively-costumed film in history.
Anna Wintour, the supposed inspiration for Miranda Priestly, reportedly really liked the film despite initial skepticism. She enjoyed Meryl Streep for her "decisive nature".
Meryl Streep donated her wardrobe to a charity auction.
Author of the original novel, Lauren Weisberger, reportedly based the the character Emily upon Plum Sykes, writer and former assistant to Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. Sykes worked at Vogue at the same time as Weisberger.
Cameo: [Lauren Weisberger] The author of the book on which the film is based has an uncredited cameo role as the twins' nanny.