Every year, the Emmy Awards red carpet brings with it a plethora of glamorous ensembles and showstopping gowns. And this year, all eyes are on Elle Fanning and her sartorial reference to her most famous onscreen persona, Catherine the Great.
Taking to the gold carpet, the 24-year-old star was radiant in a custom black gown by Sharon Long, The Great‘s costume designer. For an extra nod to her character on the Emmy-nominated TV series The Great, the dress donned a fitted corset and bustle-like train that featured a baby pink fabric on the underside. To match the sweet hue, the same colour was present at the bust of the dress, shaping its sweetheart neckline in a textured fabric. She accessorised the entire look with a diamond necklace, which some could see as a nod to the riches that the Russian empress bore.
And while Elle’s sophisticated ensemble felt like an homage to the longest-ruling Empress of Russia, it was her beauty moment that caught our attention. Sticking to a pink-hued look to compliment her gown, her skin was kept hydrated and dewy, paired perfectly with a flush of baby pink blush, a matching lip and a bold winged liner to completely encapsulate the femininity behind the outfit.
However, her most obvious reference to the late and great Catherine was made through her tresses. Sweeping her blonde hair into an updo, her mane was pinned into a shape resembling that of the 18th Century when the historical figure reigned supreme. While, no, her hair wasn’t an exact replica of Catherine’s ‘do, the shape and style of her strands definitely emulated that of famous hairstyles in the past. And quite frankly, Elle could be placed into any era and fit in perfectly.
Walking the Emmy’s red carpet isn’t the actress’ only achievement of the night. Vying for her first Emmy Award, Elle has been nominated in the category of Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in The Great. Speaking of her character’s impact on her, Elle recently shared how the 18th Century monarch didn’t always have “the right answer”.
“Our version of Catherine has a real big, kind of fabulous ego and arrogance to her that I love. I love playing with that,” she previously told Harper’s BAZAAR.
“And then she really makes mistakes too. She doesn’t always have the right answer, but I feel like she’s extremely curious. I think in all leaders, to have curiosity is probably their best quality.”
She also opened up about her experience producing the show, adding, “To be able to be a producer on this, I felt like I was getting my voice like Catherine was. ‘Cause it’s interesting to be in those pitches and in those meetings and to speak out. There is a voice inside your head that’s like, ‘I know what I’m talking about. I do know’.”
Even if she doesn’t take home an award, there’s no denying that Elle has won gold on the red carpet.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
