In the biographical drama film A Complete Unknown, Elle Fanning plays Suze Rotolo, Bob Dylan’s girlfriend in the early 1960s. She was regarded as his muse, and Dylan acknowledged that she significantly impacted his art and music at the time.
In anticipation of her next movie, Fanning has been sporting vintage styles, which she always effortlessly pulls off. She went the androgynous route in a brown Saint Laurent suit at the movie’s London photocall and went for Old Hollywood glamour in a buttery yellow Prada gown at the movie’s LA premiere.
Elle Fanning promotes her new biographical movie, A Complete Unknown, in vintage-inspired ensembles: a brown Saint Laurent suit and a yellow Prada gown (Credit: PA Images / Darla Khazei / INSTARimages)
I am always in awe of Fanning’s impeccable red-carpet wardrobe choices. She typically dons classic gowns, such as her John Galliano slip dress at the Roku Gin campaign party in June and her custom Armani Prive gown at the 75th Cannes Film Festival. She can, however, also pull off sensuous and edgy outfits, like her Balmain see-through gown at the 2024 Met Gala and her Balmain chain-link crop top at the 2021 Instyle Awards.
Retro Power: Elle Fanning Channels 1940s Androgyny in Saint Laurent
Blurring the lines between masculine and feminine, Elle Fanning decided to borrow from the boys and wear a brown suit that evokes the 1940s at the London photocall of A Complete Unknown held at the Curzon Mayfair. It just highlights Elle’s ability to look stylish in practically any ensemble!
She wore a brown suit straight off Saint Laurent’s Spring 2025 runway. It consisted of a boxy blazer, which she later removed, and loose-fitting, high-waisted pants.
Although I wish the set had been tailored to her body, I get that she’s trying to project an androgynous aesthetic, so the loose fit was understandable.
Elle Fanning borrows from the boys in a brown Saint Laurent Spring 2025 suit with a polka-dot necktie and a pinstripe shirt at the London photocall for A Complete Unknown at Curzon Mayfair (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages)
Elle donned a polka dot necktie and a white pinstripe collared shirt to accentuate the ensemble’s nostalgic vibe. She tucked her shirt into her pants and secured them with a black belt, adding to the retro feel of the look.
Her stylish and masculine look was finished with black squared pointed-toe heels. They were the ideal way to complete the powerful, retro outfit, giving it a polished appearance.
Elle Fanning pairs her brown Saint Laurent businesswear with black Saint Laurent squared pointed-toe pumps (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages)
Buttercup Elegance: Elle Fanning Shines in a Prada Yellow Gown
Elle Fanning shone brightly at the New York premiere of the biopic, wearing a butter-yellow Prada gown and gold heels that highlighted her sophisticated and elegant sense of style.
Despite wearing a simpler gown than she typically does for the premiere of her new project, Elle still managed to steal the show and demonstrate her refinement and grace.
She wore a Prada masterpiece, and her dress exemplifies the house’s Italian craftsmanship and modern, minimalist sophistication. I adore how the buttery yellow color accentuates her fair skin tone without overpowering it.
It features a slightly structured corset bodice with a strapless neckline and a bubble waist that falls into a column skirt. It would have looked nicer if the skirt had been trimmed an inch or two below her ankle.
I love adding side pockets, as they give the gown practical features. Elle used them to create a striking visual effect, posing for pictures with her hands resting in her pockets.
Elle Fanning looks stunning in a buttery yellow Prada strapless gown at the New York Premiere Of A Complete Unknown (Credit: Darla Khazei / INSTARimages)
The Art of Detail: Cartier and Gold Heels Complete Elle’s Look
Fanning is undoubtedly skilled at effortlessly making a statement. She loves accessorizing her simple yet exquisite clothing with statement pieces that pay homage to the past. She worked with her longtime stylist, Samantha McMillen, to enhance her ensemble’s grandeur for the event.
Her stunning Magicien High Jewelry necklace from Cartier, a popular jewelry brand among celebrities, features pear-shaped yellow sapphire and white and yellow diamonds in 18k white gold. I adore how the striking necklace and the understated dress create a balance that prevents the combo from being excessive.
In my opinion, the necklace serves as the look’s focal point, with the dress providing the ideal background.
Elle Fanning enhances her outfit’s elegance with a Cartier Magicien High Jewelry necklace featuring a pear-shaped yellow sapphire pendant (Credit: Darla Khazei / INSTARimages)
She also wore a sparkling tennis bracelet and rounded out her accessories with gleaming gold heels. They were hidden beneath her floor-sweeping column skirt, but fortunately, we managed to catch a glimpse of them through the center back slit.
Her metallic gold sandals, fastened to her ankles with a thin strap, have open toes and a closed back. They’re set on 0.5-inch platforms and around 4-inch heels, adding extra inches to Elle’s 5’9” height.
Elle Fanning’s hair and makeup often incorporate elements of Old Hollywood glamour. This is especially evident during the promotion of A Complete Unknown, set in the early 1960s.
With the help of makeup artist Erin Ayanian Monroe, Elle gave her yellow gown a chic contrast with bold red lipstick, rosy blush, a dash of bronze eyeshadow, and eyeliner. She then rounded out her look with a chic side-parted bun fashioned by Jenda.
Elle Fanning complements her yellow dress with metallic yellow gold open-toe stiletto heels (Credit: Darla Khazei / INSTARimages)
This isn’t the first time Elle Fanning has dazzled in gold heels. In 2016, she paired a whimsical Giamba babydoll dress with gold Christian Louboutin ‘Bat Bat’ sandals at the The Neon Demon photocall in Rome.
The sandals, adorned with crystal-embroidered dragonflies, brought an ethereal yet glamorous touch to her look. Elle’s love for gold heels, both then and now, proves their versatility as the perfect accessory for any red carpet event.
Inside A Complete Unknown: A Musical Journey Through Bob Dylan’s Story
A Complete Unknown, helmed by James Mangold, is based on the 2015 book Dylan Goes Electric! by Elijah Wald. It centers on the life and career of legendary musician Bob Dylan, from his 1961 migration from Minnesota to New York City to his 1965 Newport Folk Festival performance, in which he shook up the music industry using electric instruments. It is regarded as one of the most influential musical moments of the 20th century.
Timothee Chalamet plays Bob Dylan, with Edward Norton as folk singer Pete Seeger and Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo, a renamed version of Suze Rotolo, Dylan’s then-girlfriend.
Set to be released on Christmas Day, December 25, A Complete Unknown has already received nominations for three Golden Globe awards: Best Motion Picture Drama, Best Actor for Chalamet, and Best Supporting Actor for Norton.
Elle Fanning and Timothée Chalamet star as lovers in the biographical movie A Complete Unknown (Credit: Searchlight Pictures)
Discover More Celebrity-Inspired Metallic Heel Trends
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