Elle Fanning’s 70s Silhouettes For ‘A Complete Unknown’ Are Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door

Elle Fanning is a 70s vision as she kicks off the press tour for James Mangold’s Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown. Credit: Instagram/@samanthamcmillen_stylist

Elle Fanning is one member of Young Hollywood who has been in the industry long enough to see every iteration of red carpet dressing come and go. But given we’re in an era of ‘method dressing’, that is sartorially referencing your character or the themes of the film you’re promoting through your clothing choices, it’s not surprising to see the 26-year-old embrace a sense of nostalgia with her press tour looks for A Complete Unknown.

Despite the film taking place over a span from 1961 to 1965, Fanning decidedly leant into the groovier silhouettes synonymous with the 1970s for her screening and interview appearances. Nodding to some of the most iconic shapes of the decade like Diane von Furstenberg wrap dresses and Halston ultrasuede coats, the actress made tailoring an indispensable part of how she presents herself for her role as a fictionalised version of Bob Dylan’s first girlfriend and muse, Suze Rotolo.

Commencing the tour in New York—not too far from the East Village stomping ground the then-folk artist stamped out his name and where the film’s lead Timothée Chalamet is currently filming his ping pong epic Marty Supreme—Fanning wore a midnight blue silk set from Khaite paired under the beloved downtown label’s signature leather trenches.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 23: Elle Fanning is seen in Tribeca on November 23, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by TheStewartofNY/GC Images)

Later, in London, she played with proportion by wearing an oversized grey suit and contrasting candy cane-striped shirt from Bottega Veneta’s Resort 2025 collection.

LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 25: Elle Fanning attends the photocall for “A Complete Unknown” at the Ham Yard Hotel on November 25, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)

Continuing her penchant for off-the-runway styles, Fanning then wore a military-meets-ladies-who-lunch pastel blue jacket and midi skirt from Patou and a sculpted two-piece set from Dior.

Elle Fanning in London. Credit: Instagram/@samanthamcmillen_stylist

The Emmy-nominated actress has always had the inimitable ability to bring a sense of vintage glamour to any occasion. Be it her old-school elegance or prowess for timeless styles, Fanning can fuse contemporary sensibilities with bygone styles with ease. As the leaked set photos of Fanning’s movie wardrobe prove her character’s clothing is rooted in a specific period, these pieces feel familiar yet a fashion fantasy that are very clearly knockin’ on heaven’s door.

A Complete Unknown traces nascent Bob Dylan’s rise to prominence and ultimate genre-defying shift to electric music. The film also co-stars Monica Barbaro as legendary singer Joan Baez and Edward Norton as musician and activist Pete Seeger and will be released in Australian theatres come 2025. Watch the trailer, below.