Vanessa Williams stole the show at the charity gala night after party for The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical as she donned a striking caped corset gown. 

The Ugly Betty actor, 61, is starring in the new musical – based on the hit book and film – as the iconic Miranda Priestly, and made a fittingly fashionable arrival at Sunday’s event. 

After performing the role on stage at The Dominion Theatre, Vanessa was among the stars to join for an official after party in support of the Elton John Aids Foundation at The British Museum. 

Vanessa turned heads in a glamorous black metallic off-the-shoulder gown, complete with a high-leg split, a dramatic cape and a sheer corseted bodice which exposed her trim torso.

Meanwhile she accessorised with a silver clutch bag and big hoop earrings, as well as a dainty diamond bracelet and sweeping her brunette locks into a top knot bun. 

Earlier in the evening, ahead of her performance, Vanessa made an appearance at The Dominion Theatre in a chic black leather midi skirt with a red satin blouse and snake-print belt.  

Vanessa Williams stole the show at the charity gala night after party for Devil Wears Prada – held at the British Museum on Sunday – as she donned a striking caped corset gown

The Ugly Betty actor, 61, is starring in the new musical – based on the hit book and film – as the iconic Miranda Priestly, and made a fittingly fashionable arrival at Sunday’s event

The production showcased preview performances at the Theatre Royal Plymouth in July and August prior to opening on the West End in October. 

In a promo for the show shared in early July, which boasts: ‘Miranda has arrived,’ the actress and singer was seen shooting from underneath the stage in dramatic fashion. 

The star of the new production, featuring music by Elton John, was all decked out in a red sequin gown and a matching duster jacket.

Initially, she stood still with the jacket held closed while staring forward with a serious Miranda look on her face, but once she reached the top of the stage she quickly flashed her coat open to give a full-body look at the striking number.

The musical is based on Lauren Weisberger’s best-selling 2003 novel and the 2006 blockbuster film – which went on to receive two Academy Award nominations.

Vanessa portrays Miranda Priestly, the powerful New York City–based editor-in-chief of the fictional fashion magazine Runway, who was played by Meryl Streep in the movie adaptation.

In the promo clip, Vanessa oozed high-fashion in her gown that hugs her fab figure in all the right ways.

While the coat, which fell down close to the ground, was a brighter red on the outside, once Vanessa flashed the two sides open it revealed a darker red sequin design that was a near perfect match to her gown.

After performing the role on stage at The Dominion Theatre, Vanessa was among the stars to join for an official after party in support of the Elton John Aids Foundation at The British Museum

Vanessa turned heads in a glamorous black metallic off-the-shoulder gown

Her gown was complete with a high-leg split, a dramatic cape and a sheer corseted bodice which exposed her trim torso

Meanwhile she accessorised with a silver clutch bag and big hoop earrings

The production showcased preview performances at the Theatre Royal Plymouth in July and August prior to opening on the West End in October

Vanessa also wore a dainty diamond bracelet and sweeping her brunette locks into a top knot bun

The musical is based on Lauren Weisberger’s best-selling 2003 novel and the 2006 blockbuster film – which went on to receive two Academy Award nominations

Maintaining her serious stare, the former Miss America 1984 had her long brown tresses pulled back off her face with a part on the slight left.

Vanessa, who made her Broadway debut in 1994 with Kiss Of The Spider Woman, leads the cast that features British actor Matt Henry portraying Nigel, as well as Georgie Buckland (Andy), Amy Di Bartolomeo (Emily), Rhys Whitfield (Nate), and James Darch (Christian). 

‘Fresh out of college, aspiring journalist Andy scores a job at the prestigious Runway magazine working for fashion’s most powerful and terrifying icon — editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly,’ the synopsis reads on the musical’s website. ‘Sacrificing her personal life to meet Miranda’s impossible demands, Andy finds herself seduced by the glamorous world she once despised. How far will she go to succeed… and will it be worth selling her soul to get what she’s always wanted?’

‘Hilariously fun and fabulously stylish, The Devil Wears Prada tells an inspiring story about discovering what kind of person you truly want to be.’

The new production is being directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell with set design by Tim Hatley, costume design by Gregg Barnes, lighting design by Bruno Poet, sound design by Gareth Owen, and casting by Jill Green CDG. 

The musical features an original score by Elton John, lyrics by Shaina Taub, and book by Kate Wetherhead.

Giving fans an update on what to expect earlier this year, Vanessa revealed theater-goers will be pleased to witness several famous lines from the film.

‘A lot of the dialogue is actually taken from the film, so what you will hear me say on stage is the dialogue that people know and love and have memorized,’ she told Good Morning America.

Earlier in the evening, ahead of her performance, Vanessa made an appearance on The Dominion Theatre red caret in a chic black leather midi skirt

Vanessa is pictured with Donatella Versace, Elton John and Anna Wintour at Sunday’s gala night

Vanessa also wore a red satin blouse and matching stilettos aherad of her performance 

The new production is being directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell with set design by Tim Hatley, costume design by Gregg Barnes, lighting design by Bruno Poet, sound design by Gareth Owen, and casting by Jill Green CDG

‘The first number I do is called The House of Miranda. In the last words, I sing “That’s all!” And I walk off. You’ll understand that this is the film from the very beginning. My first lines are “Emily! Emily!” so then the audience will know, “Oh God, she’s coming”.’

Though some have been skeptical about the decision to turn the film into a musical, Vanessa argued that it makes perfect sense.

‘The Devil Wears Prada is a perfect movie… That’s why it has legs and stands the test of time,’ the former Miss America gushed. ‘This is yet another step to take something that is perfect and bring it into another genre and make it spectacular.’

She continued: ‘You’ve got the lines that people know and are adding music to it. It’s adding layers, it’s going to make it bigger and better.’

Vanessa revealed that she and Elton have enjoyed a collaborative experience while bringing the songs to life.

‘I grew up with Elton John like we all did,’ she said. ‘As the pop star, the icon that he is.

‘To have him write new music and have him listen to my voice and what I’m doing with it, and be inspired and say “I’ve got something we can do, let’s do this”. To make him smile and make him good and happy… this is an icon.’