The ‘Amari’ effect: 10 times Simone Ashley proved she belongs in ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’

At the London premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2, Simone Ashley unearthed a hot pink, one-shoulder gown from Thierry Mugler’s 1984 collection—a thesis statement in structural power dressing. The dramatically exaggerated hipline, cinched at the waist with a matching belt, weaponises femininity in quintessential Mugler fashion. Soft, side-swept retro waves and a dark berry lip provide the perfect vintage counterpoint, ensuring the vivid pink taffeta reads as fashion history, not fancy dress.

For the New York City world premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2, Simone Ashley wore a bespoke chartreuse satin creation by Prada. The architectural strapless corset bodice and dramatic high-low hemline, daring at the front and sweeping at the rear, commanded the red carpet. Metallic silver Prada slingbacks and a sleek lob kept the focus firmly on the acidic lime-green spectacle.

This is one of Simone Ashley’s most instructive lessons in fashion restraint. A neon orange maxi skirt—distinguished by its massive, oversized peplum ruffle at the waist—could easily veer into excess. Instead, she grounds it with a stark white, impeccably tailored high-neck T-shirt acting as a visual palate cleanser. A sleek high ponytail, dark sunglasses and a sliver of white pointed-toe shoe beneath the hem complete this demonstration of disciplined colour-blocking.

Walking the cobblestoned streets of Rome, Simone Ashley presents a masterful iteration of the white summer dress. A fluid white satin slip with a dramatically asymmetrical, jagged hemline—entirely trimmed in delicate eyelash lace—balances lingerie-inspired romanticism with effortless European ease. She grounds the ethereal lightness with purposeful accessories: a structured brown leather top-handle bag, black strappy flat sandals and narrow tortoiseshell sunglasses.

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Simone Ashley’s off-duty vocabulary is just as considered as her red-carpet choices. An oversized burgundy leather jacket by Onar Studios—dramatically bordered at the collar and cuffs with thick, electric yellow fur trim—delivers a maximalist colour clash that feels entirely intentional. Over-the-knee black leather boots with buckle detailing introduce an equestrian edge, while a quilted Burberry Lola bucket bag with gold TB hardware completes the look. Bone-straight hair quietly keeps the textural riot in check.

Simone Ashley’s conceptually ambitious look demonstrates her fluency with deconstruction. A white mini skirt adorned with three-dimensional circular appliqués pairs with a fitted white T-shirt featuring neckline cutouts, all layered beneath a voluminous cream shearling jacket. The preppy flourish—knee-high ribbed grey socks with stark white pointed-toe heels—is executed flawlessly within a strict neutral palette. A severely slicked-back bun ensures her face commands attention.

Few garments are as deceptively simple—or as technically demanding—as the bias-cut silk slip. Simone Ashley’s version features a chaotic, painterly abstract print in cyan, deep red and brown, elevated by thin red spaghetti straps that tie at the shoulders and trail cinematically behind her. Her signature ponytail prevents the energetic print from overwhelming, while a dark lip and small silver hoop earrings lend the breezy street-style moment unexpected sophistication.

Pastel can be powerful—and Simone Ashley proves it emphatically. A lavender satin strapless mini dress relies on rigid internal boning and prominent vertical princess seams to transform a soft, reflective colour into something architectural and authoritative. The fabric catches golden-hour sunlight, its highlights mapping the precision of the tailoring beneath. In deliberate contrast, her hair tumbles into romantic waves, its softness making the dress’ structured severity all the more striking.

Captured in black and white inside a recording studio, this is Simone Ashley at her most elemental—and perhaps most instructive. A perfectly fitted ribbed white tank top, light-wash denim jeans with a relaxed vintage fit and a single delicate bracelet constitute the entire look. The real luxury here is the fit. Thick, cascading, authentically lived-in waves and a radiant minimal finish complete the portrait of someone who wears clothes, rather than letting clothes wear her.

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