Elle Fanning

Luis Gonzalo · April 22, 2014

sweet Elle

Luis Gonzalo · April 22, 2014

Elle Fanning at her presentation of the 'Marie Claire' May 2014 Cover !

Luis Gonzalo · April 22, 2014

EVER SINCE SHE STARTED ACTING at age 3, all we've read about Elle Fanning is how beyond-her-years sophisticated the now 16-year-old is. And when she arrives at Los Angeles' Chateau Marmont, there's little to visibly contradict that observation: She's decked out in Marni tweed cigarette pants ("very Marilyn Monroe-y," she says) and shoes, an Acne sweater, and this season's Prada face-printed bag. And at 5'8", she's almost easy to lose in the crowd of other leggy blondes with big aspirations and designer clothes in the hotel's lobby—ground zero for starlets.

Except for two things. First, she's not trying. She doesn't have to, having made more than 25 movies, including this month's Maleficent with Angelina Jolie; Low Down with Glenn Close; and Young Ones, written and directed by Jake Paltrow (the latter two premiered at Sundance). And second, Fanning doesn't have a jaded bone in her body. That's obvious when she gets super-animated about her two passions: acting and fashion. Her jubilant, girlish self emerges, revealing the contrast between lovely ingenue and the child who grew up on a film set and is hanging onto every remaining moment of innocence

While she's gone to the Sundance Film Festival three times ("The first time, I was 9"), attended Chanel Haute Couture shows (at 12), shot a Miu Miu campaign, and made movies with Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, the high school sophomore is most surprising—refreshing, even—when talking about dolls, junk food, boys, and homework.