Elle and Dakota Fanning have always had a huge passion for fashion, and now they’re looking to capitalize on that by launching their own fashion line, aiming to give the Olsen twins a run for their money.
“Even as Hollywood opportunities are shrinking and the acting business, especially for women under 35, becomes increasingly competitive, Elle and Dakota are seeing their opportunities expand in and out of Hollywood,” a source exclusively tells Life & Style. “They have very different personal styles and personalities but they are closer and more aligned than ever and they both have a gift for sniffing out cool projects and getting the most out of them.”
Dakota, 30, and her younger sister, 26, are former child stars, who are known for their fashion sense. The sisters, renowned for their distinctive styles, are taking inspiration from A-list siblings Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen as they strive to transform their fashion expertise into a successful brand. According to the source, the Georgia natives have “powerful, famous friends rooting for them” as they embark on the entrepreneurial journey.
Elle shares a close bond with Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie, while Dakota has “Kristen Stewart on speed-dial when she needs advice on anything from acting to restaurants.”
“There’s a real groundswell of support among their friends and peers that the Fanning sisters, as a team, dive even deeper into the fashion scene,” the insider explains. “They finally understand what their real potential is in that arena, and people are comparing them to the Olsen sisters in terms of what they can become.”
Mary-Kate, 38, and Ashley, 38, took a break from the years-long movie run to found luxury fashion brand The Row in 2006. The Row, named after London’s Savile Row, has garnered several accolades, including multiple CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) awards, with the twins avoiding using their celebrity status to promote the brand. Elle and Dakota are looking to replicate their success, using their “years of winning red carpet looks” and “reputation of trendsetters.”
“They have the one thing you can’t buy in the fashion world, credibility,” the source concludes. Dakota and Elle are known for their show-stopping looks on the red carpet and credit their shared stylist, Samantha McMillen, for their success.
“Dakota’s got a little bit more of an edginess to her style, whereas Elle is a little bit more bohemian,” Samantha told Teen Vogue in August 2016. “Each one can add [each other’s element] to their own. They both have a lot of fun with fashion and try different things.” In addition, the stylist said that the sisters’ locations on opposite coasts — Elle in Los Angeles and Dakota in New York — play a part in their differing styles.
“They’re so different. They’re sisters, but I just look at them as different clients,” she continued. “There are similarities in the attention to detail and the way that they plan for things. They both really love fashion and really go for it, which is really nice. I just have a lot of fun working with them.”
