Elle Fanning can hardly contain her creativity. The actress, who will next star alongside Timothée Chalamet in the highly anticipated Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, is admittedly bursting with ideas, which take the form of drawings and inventive meals for loved ones (including her boyfriend Gus Wenner). And in Coach’s latest campaign, “Unlock Your Courage,” she takes a moment to truly express herself.
Joined by a plethora of famous friends including Charles Melton and Storm Reid, Fanning models pieces from the New York brand’s fall/winter 2024 collection and toys with the idea of embracing her imperfections while preparing for an audition. “I like to express myself through my clothes,” she tells ELLE. “Each look in my everyday life is an expression of how I’m feeling that day.”
Below, Fanning talks about her personal passions, where she likes to go in New York City, and why she draws pictures for every director she works with.
Besides acting, what are you most passionate about?
I love to cook. I love the process of cooking a meal and putting together a presentation for those I love. I like to draw, and actually, I draw pictures for every director I work with. I am also enjoying producing film and television. My sister and I have a production company together, and I’m loving the creative process of bringing projects to life.
Have you ever felt constrained by the pursuit of perfection? How do you embrace imperfection?
I have felt pressure to look a certain way, or to achieve things more quickly. I have to remind myself that the images I see on social media are often with filters to hide imperfections. Or that one image doesn’t convey the struggles someone has gone through to get to that place. That when it all seems easier for someone else, it’s usually not. And it’s our imperfections that make us all unique.
What are your favorite pieces from Coach’s fall 2024 collection?
My favorite bags are definitely the Brooklyn and the Empire. The Brooklyn bag is a quintessential New York bag. I love the slouchy vibe and how soft it is. I love that Empire is a more structured bag. It’s the epitome of classic and chic.
This collection was heavily inspired by New York. What are your favorite spots in the city?
I spent the first six months of this year living in New York, and I loved it. I don’t drive, so I really like being in a city that is so walkable. It’s such a melting pot of people in a small area, and there’s always something going on. I like being amongst the hustle and bustle of a major city.
Speaking of, you recently made your Broadway debut in Appropriate, which won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play. What did it mean to share that honor with your co-stars, including Sarah Paulson?
Appropriate was not only my Broadway debut, but also my first time on stage. It was an exhilarating and terrifying experience, but one that I am so proud of accomplishing. And to have the play recognized by the Tony Awards was the biggest honor and truly the wildest outcome I couldn’t even have dreamt of.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Samuel is the Associate Editor at ELLE Magazine. He covers theater, music, and culture. Sam famously broke both his arms at the same time in fourth grade and was formerly the Assistant to the Editor-in-Chief.
