Devil Wears Prada 2 Costume Designer Slams Met Gala Stars

The “Devil Wears Prada 2” costume designer is making headlines after openly criticizing celebrities who attended the Bezos-backed Met Gala 2026. Veteran costume designer Molly Rogers sparked controversy after expressing disappointment with Hollywood stars who participated in this year’s event, which became one of the most politically charged Met Galas in recent memory.

The annual Met Gala, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was already under scrutiny after billionaire Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sánchez Bezos reportedly became major financial backers and honorary chairs for the 2026 event. Critics accused the gala of drifting further into billionaire influence and away from artistic authenticity.

Rogers, best known for her iconic work on The Devil Wears Prada and its blockbuster sequel The Devil Wears Prada 2, did not hold back during a public panel discussion in New York. According to reports, she said she felt “disappointed” by stars who attended the glamorous event despite ongoing criticism surrounding Bezos and Amazon labor controversies.

Molly Rogers Questions Hollywood’s Fashion Morality

The Devil Wears Prada 2 costume designer became one of the few prominent Hollywood insiders willing to openly challenge celebrity participation in the gala.

Speaking at a fashion industry panel hosted by Fashionphile, Rogers reportedly praised labor activist Chris Smalls, who protested outside the gala and was arrested during demonstrations linked to labor rights concerns involving Amazon workers.

Her comments quickly spread online because many celebrities had remained silent about the backlash surrounding the event. Rogers implied that attending the gala while ignoring worker-related criticism created a disconnect between fashion’s glamorous image and real-world labor issues.

The designer also reportedly criticized the culture of celebrity excess surrounding the event. According to attendees, she questioned whether fashion was losing its artistic credibility by becoming too closely aligned with billionaire branding and elite influence.

That criticism hit especially hard because Rogers is deeply respected in Hollywood fashion circles. Her costume work helped shape some of the most iconic fashion moments in film history, particularly through “Sex and the City” and “The Devil Wears Prada.”

Bezos-Backed Met Gala Faces Growing Criticism

The 2026 Met Gala was unlike previous editions of the annual fundraiser. Instead of focusing solely on couture and celebrity spectacle, public conversation became dominated by criticism of billionaire influence and wealth inequality.

Reports indicated that Bezos and Sánchez Bezos played a major financial role in the event, allegedly contributing millions while serving as honorary co-chairs.

That involvement triggered online backlash almost immediately.

Several critics accused the gala of transforming into what some commentators described as a “Bezos bash” rather than a celebration of artistic fashion. Protesters outside the venue highlighted Amazon labor concerns and criticized the growing presence of tech billionaires inside elite cultural spaces.

Despite the controversy, the gala still attracted major celebrities and reportedly raised a record-breaking $42 million for the Costume Institute.

However, the public response suggested that the event’s image may have shifted permanently.

Stars Who Attended the Met Gala 2026

The guest list still included many major Hollywood names despite the criticism.

Among the stars appearing at the event were Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, Nicole Kidman, Beyoncé, and Venus Williams.

Hathaway’s appearance attracted particular attention because of the strong connection between the Met Gala and “The Devil Wears Prada” universe. The actress wore a poetic Michael Kors gown inspired by classical literature while promoting the highly successful sequel film.

Meanwhile, celebrities like Zendaya and Sarah Jessica Parker reportedly skipped the event entirely. Their absence fueled speculation that some stars intentionally avoided the controversy surrounding Bezos’s involvement.

The contrast between attendees and absentees became one of the biggest stories of the night.

Lauren Sánchez Bezos Fashion Criticism Intensifies

Another major talking point involved Lauren Sánchez Bezos herself.

Rogers reportedly mocked Sánchez Bezos’ custom gown from luxury fashion house Schiaparelli, allegedly asking how the outfit managed to make the prestigious label “look so cheap.”

The comment instantly exploded across social media.

Fashion critics and online users had already been debating Sánchez Bezos’ red carpet appearance before Rogers’ remarks surfaced publicly. Some defended the look as bold and theatrical, while others argued it failed to capture the sophistication expected from the Met Gala.

The criticism reflected a broader issue facing celebrity fashion culture today. Increasingly, luxury events are judged not only by aesthetics but also by the public image of the people funding and attending them.

Why the Devil Wears Prada Connection Matters

The controversy became even more symbolic because “The Devil Wears Prada” franchise itself has long represented the intersection of fashion, power, and media influence.

The original 2006 film famously drew inspiration from the world of Vogue editor Anna Wintour, who remains closely associated with the Met Gala and the fashion establishment.

Ironically, the release of “The Devil Wears Prada 2” arrived at the exact moment the real fashion industry found itself facing accusations of elitism and corporate influence.

The sequel has already become a massive commercial success, reportedly earning hundreds of millions globally within days of release.

Because of that timing, Rogers’ criticism carried additional cultural weight. Many observers viewed her comments as a direct challenge to the growing merger between celebrity culture, tech wealth, and luxury fashion.

Social Media Reacts to Molly Rogers’ Comments

Online reaction to Rogers’ statements was deeply divided.

Some users praised the costume designer for speaking openly about labor rights and billionaire influence. Others accused her of hypocrisy for criticizing celebrities while still working inside the same entertainment industry.

Fashion commentators also debated whether the Met Gala can realistically remain an artistic institution while relying on ultra-wealthy donors and celebrity sponsors.

Meanwhile, supporters of Bezos argued that the fundraiser’s financial success ultimately benefits the museum and preserves fashion history through the Costume Institute. Critics countered that cultural institutions should not become overly dependent on billionaire branding.

The debate reflects a growing tension across entertainment, fashion, and media industries worldwide.

Met Gala 2026 May Represent a Turning Point

The backlash surrounding the Bezos-backed Met Gala 2026 may ultimately become more memorable than the outfits themselves.

For years, the event symbolized aspirational glamour and celebrity spectacle. However, this year’s gala exposed a deeper divide between public attitudes toward wealth and the elite culture surrounding luxury fashion.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 costume designer unexpectedly became one of the defining voices of that debate.

By criticizing celebrities who attended the event, Molly Rogers shifted attention away from red carpet fashion and toward larger conversations about labor rights, billionaire influence, and the future of celebrity culture.

Whether Hollywood embraces or rejects those criticisms remains unclear. Yet one thing is certain: the Met Gala is no longer viewed as just a fashion party.

For many critics, it has become a symbol of the widening tension between wealth, fame, and public accountability in modern entertainment.