Elle Fanning's Most Iconic Looks Promoting A Complete Unknown

Elle Fanning's "A Complete Unknown" promo trail has seen her seriously step up her style game. The actor plays Sylvie Russo, an exaggerated version of Bob Dylan's ex-girlfriend, in the biopic – and she's certainly lived up to her character's artistic and edgy persona.

Fanning and her glam squad expertly balanced paying homage to the movie's '60s vibes, adhering to modern trends, and incorporating the actor's personal style. "Elle and I have always liked to nod to the film or the era of the film she is promoting where possible when working on press tour wardrobe but without limiting her and her love for fashion and experimenting with things fresh off the runway," her stylist Samantha McMillen told Marie Claire. The actor's hair and makeup team were equally determined to lean into the vintage aesthetic, too. "When our team is on a press tour for a film we like to create an overall vibe and story that's a nod to the film but yet still current and modern," celebrity hairstylist Jenda Alcorn told Byrdie. And their collaboration made for some iconic fashion and beauty looks.

For the film's London premiere, Elle Fanning slipped into an oversized grey suit that balanced old and new. The severe shoulder pads reminded us of the late '70s and '80s, while the power-dressing pin stripe suit, blue and white shirt, and chunky navy tie gave us '60s (Bob Dylan's heyday) nostalgia. Fanning contributed to the vintage aesthetic via her hair and makeup. It would've been easy to rock one of 2024's makeup trends, such as heavy highlighter and blue eyeshadow, but Fanning wore berry lips and imperfect grey eyeshadow, potentially as a nod to Dylan's rockstar edge. Her hair was also vintage-leaning, as her wavy bob curled inward instead of the more modern outward way, keeping her style cohesive. But all modernity wasn't lost, as she added 2023's hottest shoe comeback, pointed-toe heels.

We don't see pigtails on the red carpet often, but Elle Fanning made a serious case for them at the Los Angeles "A Complete Unknown" premiere. Her '60s-esque round, voluminous 'do was accessorized with an embellished bow clip and matching hair ties. But it felt authentic, as she'd rocked curled under pigtails at the 2018 Deauville American Film Festival. She continued her '60s nod via a strong cat eye with lined, nude lips, and strategic blush placement on the apples of her cheeks.

Cohesive with her throwback promo trail ensembles, the Gucci white, column dress had a vintage feel with a train. It featured embellished spaghetti straps, plus sparkles and a bow over her chest. She added a glittering, but not distracting, Cartier bracelet and cocktail ring. "It's actually insane how good you look," one fan wrote on Instagram.

For the "A Complete Unknown" Museum of Modern Art screening, Elle Fanning didn't dial down the '60s trends. The actor wore a black A-line skirt with pockets, sheer black hosiery, and pumps. But this vintage look was made in the styling. She wore a tucked in, open pastel green, collared button down over a white bustier.

Her tresses had a throwback vibe but still served one of 2024's hottest haircuts. Her lob was a longer take on the trendy, bell-bottom bob (the Gigi Hadid-favored style also known as the flippy bob). Fanning kept her locks chic and sleek by tucking her hair behind her ears and adding a chunky, black, embellished headband. Her makeup was simple yet classic, including barely-there shadow and a subtle pinky-red lip. She kept her aesthetic youthful and authentic by placing her blush close to the nose. 

During a London photocall, Elle Fanning served up another strong suit style. Her oversized Bottega Veneta grey two-piece featured a double-breasted jacket with matching, baggy pants. The '80s-esque cut had trended in summer 2024, so her wardrobe offered a stylish mix of old and new. She added chunky, black shoes and a red and white striped collared shirt, but stayed casual and edgy by not tucking it in.

Fanning pulled her long, blond locks into a ponytail and tied it with red string that matched her shirt but didn't distract from her clothing. To stop her hair being too severe, she let a few wisps down around her ears for an undone finish. The beauty's makeup was also simple. She skipped heavy shadow but wore blended liner, neutral lipstick, subtle blush, and kept her skin looking healthy and dewy without being shiny.

Elle Fanning's New York premiere look was stunning. Though she wore a lot of menswear-inspired ensembles to promote "A Complete Unknown," her strapless, yellow, Prada gown showed her feminine side. The cinched waist was tailored to her middle, and the long bottom was flattering and elegant — perfect for the prestigious event. But it was her eye-catching makeup that made it so memorable. She wore a bold, orangey red shade with subtle faux lashes and barely-there shadow. Not everyone could pull off such vivid lips and it would have been less of a risk to pair the dress with a light pink pout, but the contrast was gorgeous against her complexion. She accessorized with a statement sapphire necklace and opted for an up-do to show off her toned decolletage, the pricey jewels, and the top of the dress.