When the Devil Wore Prada: Wes Anderson’s Most Stylish Villain
A custom coat crafted exclusively for this cold-blooded role.
In Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel, few characters make an impression as swift and chilling as J.G. Jopling, the silent assassin played by Willem Dafoe. Pale, precise, and nearly wordless, Jopling cuts through the film like a blade—and he’s dressed accordingly. His look? A custom-made black leather trench coat with red detailing, designed by none other than the Italian fashion house Prada.
This was no off-the-rack costuming. The coat was commissioned specifically for the film by Anderson’s long-time collaborator, Oscar-winning costume designer Milena Canonero. Inspired by early 20th-century motorcycle dispatch riders, the coat was crafted with both visual flair and narrative intent: a high collar, subtle red stitching, a hidden interior holster, and reinforced sleeves—all adding menace to Jopling’s quiet, lethal presence.
Fans online have praised the coat for its deadly elegance. On Instagram, one user wrote, "Booze and gun pocket is so cool," while another joked, "Dafoe definitely kept that jacket." One particularly attentive comment from @uranianstone noted, "We should talk about this strangely good triolet sound of the buttons opening—perfectly in sync with the soundtrack."
In the end, it’s just a coat—but in Wes Anderson’s world, nothing is ever just anything. The fact that Prada made it specifically for Jopling says everything about how seriously this film takes its details. It’s sharp, silent, and strangely unforgettable—just like the man who wore it.
