Dakota and Elle Fanning stand as two of Hollywood’s most established young stars, after growing up in front of the camera in the early 2000s. Not only for their range, spanning thrillers to musical biopics, but also for their rare ability to turn every public appearance into a masterclass in personal style.
It all began on red carpets for films like 'The Cat in the Hat' and 'Uptown Girls,' when the two sisters stepped into the spotlight. Now, the stage has changed, and so have they. Their fashion sensibilities could not be more different.
At this weekend’s LACMA Art+Film Gala in Los Angeles (where Salma Hayek, Demi Moore, Kaia Gerber, and Cindy Crawford also made appearances), Elle Fanning looked as if she’d stepped straight out of a Golden Age Hollywood film set.
Dressed in a baby-blue lace gown and matching fur coat, she channeled the divas of the 1950s. Yet her take on the fairy tale is unmistakably modern, featuring sheer lace, long sleeves, and an ethereal silhouette.
At 27, Elle has become one of fashion’s leading ambassadors of contemporary romanticism, fully aware of the narrative power a look can hold.
Unlike her sister, Dakota Fanning goes for a different yet striking look. At the New York premiere of 'All Her Fault,' she appeared in a Saint Laurent creation by Anthony Vaccarello.
The star wore a strapless black gown that combined transparency and structure, with a ruched bodice and cascading ruffled skirt. The look captured the essence of “glam goth,” echoing the bold sensuality of the 1980s but refined through a near-Victorian elegance.
Her love of fluid fabrics and architectural cuts reflects her maturity. Dakota’s style is dark, poised, and never excessive, feeling like an homage to icons such as Winona Ryder or Rooney Mara.
What’s truly captivating about the Fannings isn’t just their difference, but how those differences seem to speak to each other. Now 31, Dakota has carved a path from indie festivals to television acclaim, while Elle explores new creative frontiers, from the Bob Dylan biopic 'A Complete Unknown' to her growing role as a fashion muse.
Their relationship as both have shared in interviews, is rooted in support, not rivalry. And perhaps that’s why their styles never compete, instead, they complete each other.