<P> Frankel , who had worked with Patricia Field on his feature - film debut Miami Rhapsody as well as Sex and the City , knew that what the cast wore would be of utmost importance in a movie set in the fashion industry . `` My approach was to hire her and then leave the room , '' he joked later . While only Valentino Garavani appeared onscreen , many other designers were helpful to Field . Her $100,000 budget for the film 's costumes was supplemented by help from friends throughout the industry . Ultimately , she believes , at least $1 million worth of clothing was used in the film , making it one of the most expensively costumed movies in cinema history . The single priciest item was a $100,000 Fred Leighton necklace on Streep . </P>
who is the designer in devil wears prada
Valentino Garavani