Elle Fanning Is a Modern Princess in Armani Privé and Vegan Piferi Mules at Cannes

When it comes to red-carpet royalty, few possess the ethereal grace of Elle Fanning.

Her long-standing relationship with high-fashion houses often results in moments that define “timeless style”—a fact notably celebrated during the 75th Cannes Film Festival in May 2022.

A Timeless Bond: Tom Cruise’s Special Tribute to the Fanning Sisters

While she consistently wows in labels like Armani and Miu Miu, it was a rare personal tribute from Tom Cruise during the Top Gun: Maverick premiere that underscored her and her sister Dakota’s enduring legacy in cinema.

Reflecting on their growth from child stars to industry icons, Cruise paused his speech to praise the sisters’ “contribution to cinema.”

Seeing Elle in the audience at the Palais des Festivals, he noted, “I’ve seen Elle Fanning here, whom I’ve known since she was a little girl. You are a very talented actress, and it’s wonderful to see you here and see your sister.”

Elle Fanning receives a compliment from Tom Cruise during his speech ahead of the Cannes Film Festival premiere of Top Gun: Maverick on May 18, 2022 (Credit: DDP / PA IMAGES / INSTARimages)

He recalled how confident they were in their acting endeavors even at a young age, saying, “[Elle’s] going, ‘I’m an actress,’ and I said, ‘I know you are.’”

“I was working with Dakota, who’s a genius, and I was there with Elle, so I said, ‘What are you gonna do?’ She was like, ‘I’m an actress, too.’ I was like, ‘Yes, you are.’”

“It’s so beautiful to see the generations and all of these actors and your contribution to cinema. So, thank you,” he added.

Katie Holmes’ ex-husband worked with Elle’s big sister Dakota Fanning on the Steven Spielberg movie War of the Worlds in 2005.

Dakota Fanning arrives with Tom Cruise at the War of the Worlds U.S. premiere on June 23, 2005, wearing a tiered ivory chiffon dress paired with delicate ballet flats—an age-appropriate red-carpet look that highlighted her polished child-star style (Credit: Everett Collection / Shutterstock)

Playing Rachel Ferrier, the daughter of Tom Cruise’s character Ray Ferrier, Dakota was 11 years old when the 2005 American science fiction action film War of the Worlds was released in North America on June 29, 2005.

Filming started on November 8, 2004, when she was 10 years old. She turned 11 on February 23, 2005, just days before filming wrapped on March 7, 2005. Tom Cruise, who played her father in the movie, was 42 when filming the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2005.

Dakota Fanning was 10 years old, and Tom Cruise was 42 during the filming of War of the Worlds (Credit: Paramount Pictures)

Following the event, Elle told People she “was freaking out” and “sort of crying/blushing” during Tom’s speech.

“I was waking up pinching myself. Did that really happen last night? Was I dreaming?”

She added that the actor “made it a point to kind of stay in [Dakota’s] life” even after filming War of the Worlds, “which was so kind.”

“He sends her a birthday gift every single year still. We get the coconut cake that he sends, which I know Kirsten Dunst said she gets one, as well, from working with him in Interview with the Vampire,” she shared.

Elle Fanning stuns on the Cannes red carpet in a custom Armani Privé powder-pink gown, featuring a crystal-embellished bodice and flowing tulle skirt that perfectly captured her modern fairytale style (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages)

Elle Fanning’s Ethereal Armani Privé Gown at the 75th Cannes Film Festival

The Great Season actress constantly wows on the red carpet, and it was no different at the 75th Cannes Film Festival.

Elle brought out her inner princess in a stunning powder pink gown by Armani, whom she thanked for making her “dreams come true with this custom dress.”

It’s a strapless gown embellished with crystal beads on the fitted bodice and features a cinched-in waist that flares out into a flattering mermaid tulle skirt.

Elle Fanning’s custom Armani Privé gown features a crystal-embellished bodice that flows into a softly structured fishtail tulle skirt, creating a couture silhouette worthy of Cannes (Credit: IPA / INSTARimages)

Styled by Samantha McMillen, the Super 8 actress accessorized her ethereal look with Chopard jewelry, including a string of diamond hearts necklace, a bracelet, and a yellow heart ring.

Her hairstylist, Jenda Alcorn, styled her blonde tresses into loose side-parted waves, secured with a crystal-embellished bow clip.

The L’Oréal Paris spokesperson made sure to use L’Oréal Paris products for her beauty look, with the help of her makeup artist, Erin Monroe.

She wore True Match Mineral blush in Pinched Pink, Flash Cat Eye Waterproof Liquid Liner, Definer Waterproof Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Blonde, and Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Lipstick in Pink Soiree.

Elle Fanning completes her ethereal Cannes ensemble with Chopard diamond jewelry and a romantic L’Oréal Paris beauty look at the Top Gun: Maverick screening during the 75th Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2022 (Credit: ABACA / INSTARimages)

Sustainable Glamour: Elle Fanning Pairs Giambattista Valli with Piferi Vegan Mules

Later in the day, Elle Fanning traded in her feminine fairytale gown for an elegant black midi dress as she celebrated L’Oreal Paris’ 25th anniversary as the Cannes Film Festival official partner.

The $4,300 off-the-shoulder dress hails from Giambattista Valli’s Pre-Fall 2022 collection and features a slim fit with an A-line midi skirt.

Elle Fanning celebrates L’Oreal Paris’ 25th anniversary as the Cannes Film Festival official partner in a Giambattista Valli Pre-Fall 2022 off-the-shoulder black midi dress (Credit: ABACA / INSTARimages)

She styled the look with the same Chopard jewelry and swapped her crystal hair clip for a black velvet bow.

Elle Fanning pairs her elegant midi dress with Piferi Tiana crystal mesh mules (Credit: ABACA / INSTARimages)

For her footwear, Elle chose a pair from the luxury vegan footwear label Piferi, which was launched in 2020 by former Jimmy Choo and Burberry designer Alfredo Pīferi.

Also available in silver and pink, the “Tiana” mules feature mesh detailing, tiny crystal embellishments, open toes, and 2.6-inch sculpted heels.

The Tiana mules from vegan label Piferi feature a crystal mesh upper and sculpted heels

Effortless Chic: Elle Fanning’s Off-Duty Style in The Row and Gucci

The next day, Elle was pictured leaving the 5-star art deco Hôtel Martinez Cannes by Hyatt in a summery white dress from The Row.

The $1,950 full-length “Ellita” dress features a relaxed column silhouette in fluid cady, a deep keyhole opening at the neckline, long sleeves, and a back slit.

Elle Fanning steps out of the Hôtel Martinez on May 19, 2022, wearing The Row’s white “Ellita” column dress, styled with minimalist thong sandals and a red Gucci bag for an effortlessly polished Cannes off-duty look (Credit: IPA / INSTARimages)

She styled the look with a red Gucci Spring 2022 bag and The Row “Constance” slingback sandals with square toes and sculptural comma heels.

Elle Fanning shows off her feet in The Row Constance slingback sandals (Credit: IPA / INSTARimages)

Style Evolution: Elle Fanning’s Early High-Fashion Days with Miu Miu

Stepping back a few years to an earlier chapter in her style evolution, Elle Fanning attended the Miu Miu fashion show during Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2014–2015 in March 2014.

The then-15-year-old American actress also appeared in the brand’s Spring 2014 campaign, alongside Lupita Nyong’o, Elizabeth Olsen, and Bella Heathcote.

Elle Fanning styled a Miu Miu coat with a pleated houndstooth mini skirt, a matching sweater, and a white Madras bag (Credit: WENN)

Dressed in head-to-toe Miu Miu, we can’t decide which part of her outfit we like better. The gorgeous baby blue coat? Or perhaps the stunning handbag?

Elle Fanning arrives at the Miu Miu fashion show during Paris Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2014–2015 on March 5, 2014, wearing a pastel coat layered over a pleated mini skirt and finishing the look with floral pointed-toe pumps (Credit: WENN)

For the Paris show, Elle opted for a pair of sophisticated leather pumps featuring artfully painted pointy toes.

Miu Miu Painted Flower-Toe Leather Pumps

A close-up of Miu Miu’s painted flower-toe leather pumps, featuring hand-drawn floral motifs that add a playful, artistic twist to the pointed silhouette

More of Elle Fanning’s Shoe & Fashion Moments Worth Exploring

From ethereal couture at Cannes to polished press-tour looks and off-duty minimalism, Elle Fanning’s style evolution continues to be defined by thoughtful footwear choices and standout designer pairings. Explore more of her most memorable shoe and fashion moments below.