Prada ‘Villains’ Runway Show, Explained: The Dramatic Catwalk Finale With Willem Dafoe, Adrien Brody and More Hollywood Bad Guys Gets Viral Afterlife
They say the devil wears Prada — well, in 2012, he really did on the runway.
The brand didn’t enlist traditional models to close their fall 2012 men’s show at Milan Fashion Week. Instead, a lineup of familiar wicked faces made their way down the runway — Willem Dafoe, Tim Roth, Adrien Brody, Gary Oldman, Emile Hirsch, Garrett Hedlund and Jamie Bell.
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Known for playing antagonists in a variety of popular films — from “Spider-Man” to “Pulp Fiction,” they were clad in austere suits, many of them complete with knee-length, double breasted jackets, the actors gave the audience their best menacing looks as they walked through the carpeted venue.
Miuccia Prada took inspiration for the collection from men who are in power, and how the use of fashion can convey authority or supremacy. “Clothing is also a tool of power and a way to express male vanity,” she told WWD at the time.
Although the show was more than a decade ago, Prada’s Villains showcase has been trending on social media in recent months. Edits of the actors walking the runway have gone viral on TikTok, including background music ranging from Lana Del Rey to David Bowie.
Here, take a look back at the men who made the 2012 Milan Fashion Week runway finale memorable more than a decade later.
Willem Dafoe
One of Dafoe’s most iconic roles is his portrayal of the Green Goblin — aka Norman Osborn — in Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man,” in which he stars opposite Tobey Maguire. It’s not entirely surprising the character actor agreed to participate in the Prada show — he’s a proven fan of the brand, having worn their clothes for many years.
Tim Roth
Roth, who has collaborated with Quentin Tarantino, had memorable turns as a bad guy at the box office. He plays the burglar Ringo/Pumpkin in “Pulp Fiction,” and he played Emil Blonsky/The Abomination in “The Incredible Hulk” opposite Mark Ruffalo.
Adrien Brody
Perhaps best known for his Oscar-winning role in “The Pianist,” Brody is also recognized for playing a range of character types throughout his career. Among them, he has portrayed villain Dmitri in Wes Anderson’s beloved feature “The Grand Budapest Hotel” and has become a fan-favorite bad guy in “Peaky Blinders.” When it comes to fashion, it was announced last year that the actor would partner with Bally to design a capsule collection.
Gary Oldman
Oldman has played multiple bad guys throughout his career, but “Léon: The Professional” has been regarded as one of his best villain roles. He stars as Norman Stansfield, a corrupt and murderous DEA agent.
Emile Hirsch
Memorably, in the film “Killer Joe,” Hirsch plays a young drug dealer who hires a hitman to kill his mother for insurance money. Outside of acting, he has starred in fashion campaigns for brands including Rag and Bone.
Garrett Hedlund
While well known for “Tron,” Hedlund played a homicidal gang leader in “Death Sentence,” which also starred Kevin Bacon.
Remembering Prada’s ‘Villains’ Runway, A Catwalk Cast of Hollywood’s Antiheroes: Willem Dafoe, Gary Oldman, Adrien Brody & More [PHOTOS]
Jamie Bell
Bell plays a criminal in the action thriller film “Man on a Ledge,” in which he stars opposite Sam Worthington. The actor has demonstrated an interest in fashion through his attendance of runway shows over the years.
Launch Gallery: Remembering Prada's 'Villains' Runway, A Catwalk Cast of Hollywood's Antiheroes: Willem Dafoe, Gary Oldman, Adrien Brody & More [PHOTOS]
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