A Golden Globe nominee for her role as Catherine the Great in the Hulu hit, The Great, Elle Fanning had plenty to smile about heading into awards season. Still, 2021 has meant changes for everyone. This year Hollywood’s annual slate of celebrations has moved online to meet COVID-19 safety requirements. The shift means Fanning and the show’s creative team won’t have a glitzy night on the town, but they’ve been too busy filming season 2 to mind much. “I am in London filming, so not having to get on a plane is a relief,” shared Fanning via email. “But I do miss the big red carpet and getting to be with friends, family, and peers. Hopefully, we’ll be able to throw a big party next year!”
Despite being a Hollywood veteran at the age of 22, this year marks Fanning’s first trip to the Globes. To mark the occasion, she didn’t skimp on fashion. Her love of old Hollywood cinema and its stars informed her choice of ensemble: a custom, mint-green Gucci gown by Alessandro Michele. “I am so in love with this look,” says Fanning. “For my first Golden Globes, I really wanted to create an old Hollywood glamour look. I have always loved the classic glamour of women like Grace Kelly and wanted to pay homage to them for my first time.”
Kelly’s fans will undoubtedly see parallels between Fanning’s Gucci and the chiffon number by Edith Head which Kelly wore to pick up her Oscar for The Country Girl in 1956. To truly capture the retro aesthetic, Fanning’s stylist Samantha McMillen added on vintage pieces from Fred Leighton. The diamond and platinum tassel earrings, natural pearl and diamond bracelet from 1915, and platinum pinky ring from the 1920s added to the effect, as did Erin Ayanian Monroe’s understated makeup and sleek hair by Lorraine Glynn. “My makeup artist Erin and I always like to keep my skin quite natural and glowing, with the emphasis on the eyes. The glowing skin keeps the look modern,” explains Fanning. “For my hair, Lorraine and I decided to do a sleek ballet bun, a classic look to showcase the jewelry and dress.”
The regal combination of dress, jewelry, and beauty choices made for a standout look that honored both a real-life royal and the fictionalized empress Fanning portrays. While it’s lovely to wear a one-of-a-kind Gucci gown and a vault’s worth of retro gems, Fanning’s biggest thrill of the evening was seeing the hard work of The Great’s cast and crew honored. “I am so unbelievably proud and grateful that people have responded to our show in such a positive way!” she says. “Playing Catherine has been the most incredible experience, and I’ve known from the beginning how special this project is. Every actor is brilliant, Tony Macnamara’s writing is constantly challenging us, and we have the best crew in the world! But to have audiences react this way, and understand how special it is, is the most wonderful gift.”
Hair: Lorraine Glynn
Makeup: Erin Ayanian Monroe
Styling: Samantha McMillen
Dress & Shoes: Gucci
Jewelry: Fred Leighton
Photographed by Gareth Gatrell1/10“Eye patches to start the day after a long week of filming on season 2 of The Great!”
Photographed by Gareth Gatrell2/10“Peek a Boo!”
Photographed by Gareth Gatrell3/10“Finishing touches on glam by the incomparable Erin Ayanian Monroe and Lorraine Glynn! So special to have them both here with me for this day as they are also the team that transforms me into Catherine.”
Photographed by Gareth Gatrell4/10“Huzzah! Any celebration around The Great would be remiss without yelling HUZZAH at some point!”
Photographed by Gareth Gatrell5/10“Sushi for lunch and before I get into my dress! It’s always such a treat and London has some of the best Japanese restaurants! The Fred Leighton earrings paired with my robe are a funny sight!”
Photographed by Gareth Gatrell6/10“Getting into this gorgeous Gucci dress! You can see the eczema on my arm…so much anxiety leading up to this day!”
Photographed by Gareth Gatrell7/10“Ahh! Almost there now. Just buckling the shoes. Look at those platforms! I’m already tall, but am going to be even taller with these bad boys on.”
Photographed by Gareth Gatrell8/10“Taking a quiet moment to think about this day and how much it means to me. My first Golden Globe nomination!! I am so honored and proud to be included amongst the incredible women who have been nominated.”
Photographed by Gareth Gatrell9/10“Toasting to Gucci for this incredible dress, to Fred Leighton for the sparkling diamonds, and to Erin, Lorraine and Samantha McMillen who helped create this look. I feel like I’m in a fairytale!”
Photographed by Gareth Gatrell10/10“And now the show begins! What a strange way to experience an award show, but I’m proud of everyone’s ability to adapt during this unprecedented time. Thank you, Gareth Gatrell, for so perfectly capturing this incredible day for me!”
