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The Devil Wears Prada – From New York to Lake Como

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Italy
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On April 29, 2026, the long-awaited sequel to the cult film arrives in cinemas: The Devil Wears Prada 2. Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci return to their delightfully exaggerated universe—this time set against backdrops around the globe. Falstaff TRAVEL follows in their footsteps.

Twenty years after first stepping into their iconic roles as Miranda, Andy, Emily, and Nigel, Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci return to the elegant offices of Runway magazine in The Devil Wears Prada 2. But not only there—set-jetters and fashionistas alike are taken to a range of glamorous destinations. Falstaff TRAVEL traces the film’s locations.

Filming for the highly anticipated sequel took place last summer and autumn. Director David Frankel even offered devoted fans a preview gift at the time: via the production company’s social media channels, they were given behind-the-scenes glimpses of the cast, scenes—and locations—during filming.

Main Filming Locations Around the Runway Editorial Office: New York

Between June and October 2025, filming took place primarily in New York City. Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep were spotted at well-known locations in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

American Museum of Natural History

The museum in Manhattan served as an elegant backdrop for recreated Met Gala scenes. Located at the corner of Central Park West and 79th Street, it is worth a visit beyond the glamour of The Devil Wears Prada, as it is one of the largest natural history museums in the world. Founded in 1869 and designed by Calvert Vaux and Jacob Wrey Mould, the impressive building houses over 30 million objects across four floors, showcasing the evolution of humanity from the Stone Age to the space age. Highlights include a life-sized blue whale skeleton, numerous dinosaur fossils, and a Haida cedar canoe. The experience is enhanced by the Rose Center for Earth and Space, opened in 2000, with its Hayden Planetarium and Big Bang Theater.

American Museum of Natural History
© Shutterstock
American Museum of Natural History

Midtown Manhattan and 6th Avenue

Parts of Midtown were temporarily transformed into a large-scale film and theater set, emphasizing the district’s urban character. Anne Hathaway filmed key scenes here. Midtown Manhattan is the city’s vibrant core, home to landmarks such as Times Square, the Empire State Building, and Bryant Park, surrounded by skyscrapers, offices, and constant traffic. Sixth Avenue—also known as Avenue of the Americas—runs north to south through Midtown and is lined with high-rises, hotels, and shops, particularly between Bryant Park and Central Park South.

Cobble Hill, Brooklyn

This trendy neighborhood served as the setting for scenes along one of its characteristic streets. Known for its brownstone houses, small cafés, and quiet, almost village-like atmosphere, it provides a striking contrast to the film’s glamorous fashion world. The production team set up along Atlantic Avenue and Henry Street, including directly in front of the well-known Long Island Bar, a popular meeting spot famous for its Cosmopolitan cocktail.

Midtown Manhattan
© Shutterstock
Midtown Manhattan

Fashionable Locations in Milan and on Lake Como

Pinacoteca di Brera

Filming took place around this renowned art museum in the heart of Milan, where Lady Gaga was also spotted. She contributes the song “Runway” (feat. Doechii) to the soundtrack and will appear alongside Donatella Versace in a cameo role. Beyond its celebrity appeal, the museum and the surrounding Brera district are well worth a visit. Housed in the baroque Palazzo di Brera, the gallery features important collections of Northern Italian Renaissance and Baroque painting, as well as works from antiquity and Dutch Baroque art.

Caffe Parigi at Grand Hotel Palazzo Parigi
© Hotel Palazzo Parigi
Caffe Parigi at Grand Hotel Palazzo Parigi

Palazzo Parigi Hotel & Grand Spa

This luxury hotel served not only as a filming location but also as the production’s headquarters. The five-star property in central Milan is just steps away from the elegant fashion district and major landmarks. Designed with great attention to detail by Italian architect Paola Giambelli, it resembles a private palace, complete with gleaming marble floors, a sweeping staircase, and light-filled rooms. The hotel restaurant offers authentic Milanese cuisine, while the lively Caffè Parigi invites guests for coffee or an aperitivo.

Quadrilatero della Moda (Milan Fashion District)

As the undisputed capital of fashion, Milan naturally provided the setting for several scenes filmed in the famous Quadrilatero della Moda and during Milan Fashion Week shows, including Dolce & Gabbana. Located near Piazza del Duomo, this district hosts the “who’s who” of the fashion world with flagship stores, ateliers, and showrooms. The name “Quadrilatero” (meaning “quadrilateral”) refers to the streets Via Montenapoleone, Via Alessandro Manzoni, Via della Spiga, and Corso Venezia that frame the area.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, Milano
© Shutterstock
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, Milano

Villa Arconati

This magnificent villa in the Parco delle Groane near Milan also served as a filming location. Key scenes were shot in the Corte Nobile with its colonnade, on the grand staircase, and in the Sala di Fetonte with its illusionistic frescoes. Dating back to the 17th century, the villa is one of the region’s most significant historic estates, combining baroque architecture with elaborately designed interiors and a vast, geometrically laid-out park. Today, it is both an important cultural monument and a versatile venue for events, exhibitions, and film productions.

Lake Como – Villa Balbiano

In the trailer, Andy (Anne Hathaway) and Emily (Emily Blunt) are seen arriving by boat at the impressive Villa Balbiano. Previously featured in House of Gucci, the estate is available for exclusive stays and events. It accommodates up to 30 guests across six spacious suites and additional outbuildings, surrounded by meticulously maintained gardens and original 17th-century frescoes. Considered the largest private residence on Lake Como, the villa spans more than two hectares and features expansive landscaped gardens (award-winning by the British Society of Garden Designers), an outdoor pool, a private dock, and a boathouse.

Villa Balbiano
© Villa Balbiano
Villa Balbiano
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