Portrait of a Lady: Elle Fanning’s Bespoke Coach Ensemble Rewrites Red Carpet Rules
In a breathtaking display of sartorial excellence that has become her signature, Elle Fanning graced the American Film Institute’s 50th Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony with an ensemble that epitomizes modern Hollywood glamour. The actress, who has been on an impressive style streak since her headline-making appearance in Sarah Burton’s Givenchy creation at the Vanity Fair Oscars soirée earlier this year, continues to solidify her status as fashion’s darling alongside trusted stylist Samantha McMillen.
The celebration, honoring cinematic virtuoso Francis Ford Coppola, saw Fanning commanding attention in a custom Coach confection that perfectly balanced whimsy and sophistication. The peach-hued silk masterpiece featured an architectural silhouette with a fit-and-flare profile that accentuated her ethereal presence. Most captivating were the intricate details—a substantial bow adorning the bustline and a meticulously crafted satin lace-back corset that provided structural elegance to the dreamy creation.
What elevated the look from merely beautiful to genuinely spectacular was the liberal embellishment of Swarovski crystals cascading across the gown, creating a mesmerizing interplay of light that seemed to dance with her every movement. The delicate pastel palette provided the perfect canvas for these luminous accents, demonstrating Fanning’s intuitive understanding of balance in high fashion statements.
As a global ambassador for Coach, Fanning’s choice reflects the brand’s evolution under creative director Stuart Vevers, who has masterfully repositioned the American heritage label as a formidable presence on red carpets worldwide.
Complementing her statement gown, Fanning selected Larroude Jasmine heels in a brilliant metallic specchio leather. The sophisticated mule silhouette, featuring an almond-shaped open toe and approximately four-inch heel, provided a contemporary edge to the romantic gown. While this exact silver colorway appears to be a custom or limited edition, similar styles from the brand retail for approximately $230.
Fashion cognoscenti will recognize Larroude as the brainchild of Marina Larroude, the former fashion director who launched her eponymous label in 2020. The brand has experienced meteoric rise, reporting $30 million in sales by 2023 and doubling revenues the following year, culminating in the prestigious Footwear News Achievement Awards Brand of the Year accolade in 2024. With a clientele that includes luminaries such as Kerry Washington, Blue Ivy Carter, Selena Gomez, Salma Hayek, and Taylor Swift, Fanning finds herself in illustrious company.
The actress’s beauty look remained in perfect harmony with her attire—her luminous complexion enhanced with a subtle rosy blush, eyes dramatically defined with rich bronzy shadow, and lips finished in a complementary glossy pink. Her hair, sleekly pulled back and adorned with a bow barrette that echoed the gown’s detail, completed the meticulously curated presentation.
Fanning joined an assembly of Hollywood royalty at the illustrious event, including directorial legends Ron Howard, Spike Lee, and Star Wars creator George Lucas, all gathered to honor Coppola’s unparalleled contribution to cinema through works like the iconic Godfather franchise.
With this appearance, Fanning continues to demonstrate that her fashion instincts rival her formidable acting talents—a rare combination that keeps her firmly positioned as one of the industry’s most captivating style icons.
