At the Los Angeles premiere of “A Complete Unknown”, Elle Fanning showcased a vintage hairstyle. CNN
At a recent premiere for A Complete Unknown in Los Angeles, Elle Fanning brought back a classic hairstyle from the 1960s that instantly transported everyone to a different era. Instead of the sleek buns that dominate modern red carpets, Fanning wore a voluminous blonde beehive, complete with two playful pigtails tied with crystal-studded hair ties. This look wasn’t just a hairstyle; it was a tribute to the days when hair was all about height and expansion rather than smoothness and control.
The actor, who portrays Bob Dylan’s girlfriend Sylvie Russo in the upcoming film, wore a stunning custom white silk Gucci gown with crystal embellishments. Her hair, with its big retro lift, was the perfect complement to her elegant outfit, giving her an air of nostalgia and fun.
The beehive style, with its stacked and styled layers, has had a long history, evolving over centuries. In the 18th century, Marie Antoinette famously wore “le pouf,” an elaborate and towering hairstyle that required a cushion to hold its shape. By the 1960s, Chicago-based stylist Margaret Vinci Heldt revamped the look into the modern beehive we recognize today. Its cone-shaped silhouette, inspired by hats like the fez and pillbox, became iconic, especially in the golden era of Hollywood. Figures like Brigitte Bardot, Barbara Streisand, and Dolly Parton wore it with pride, making it a symbol of glamour and sophistication.
The beehive remained a symbol of fashion and rebellious beauty well into the 2000s, with Amy Winehouse famously making it her own. However, while the hairstyle has made a comeback in recent years, today’s take on the beehive is much more subtle. High, towering hair is no longer the primary goal; instead, the modern beehive is all about a more natural, yet still elevated, lift.
She completed her beehive look with two pigtails, each tied with crystal-decorated hair ties. CNN
In recent runway shows, such as Versace’s Spring-Summer 2024 collection, models sported smaller bouffants that added just a hint of volume. Designers like Bora Aksu have also embraced the beehive’s return, pairing it with vintage-inspired looks that capture the essence of the 1960s. Celebrities like Nicola Coughlan, Zendaya, and Kaia Gerber have been seen sporting softer, more muted versions of the style, focusing on a natural, effortless lift rather than extreme height.
Despite these changes, Fanning’s choice to revive the classic beehive at the premiere was a refreshing departure from the tight, sleek buns that dominate modern red carpets. While the height may not have reached the levels of Dolly Parton’s famous saying, “the higher the hair, the closer to Heaven,” Fanning’s version of the retro updo offered a playful nod to the past while fitting perfectly into today’s fashion scene.
