Dakota is ready to dance

DAKOTA FANNING, one of Hollywood’s hottest actresses at the moment, does look good in Jimmy Choo shoes. Fanning’s fashion shoot for the chic cobbler shows off the spring-summer line.
She was just eight years old when she was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild award for her performance in “I am Sam” and critical acclaim has continued with her roles in “Man on Fire”, “War of the Worlds” and “The Twilight Saga”. She’s appeared alongside Sean Penn, Denzel Washington and Robert De Niro. 
Off-screen, Fanning’s quirky and romantic dress style has landed her on numerous fashion-magazine covers, and most recently there was a trek to the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Gardens with a truckload of Jimmy Choo footwear. 
“Dakota has such a nuanced and sophisticated understanding of fashion,” says creative director Sandra Choi. “She’s unafraid |to push boundaries and wear something unexpected. I love seeing someone exploring |fashion with such maturity and self-assuredness. 
“Her experimentation with colour and pattern suited her perfectly to our spring-summer collection and the botanical gardens as a backdrop made the collection come to life.”
In an interview released by the shoe brand, Fanning discusses her career and aspirations, fashion nostalgia, dream dresses and life in New York. 

WHAT’S YOUR EARLIEST FASHION MEMORY?
Clomping around in my aunt’s heels while visiting her in Miami. I was probably around two, and apparently insisted on wearing them absolutely everywhere the entire trip.

WHICH HAVE BEEN THE MOST MEMORABLE OUTFITS OF YOUR CAREER?
Recently I wore a Miu Miu dress to the Venice Film Festival. It looked like a mermaid’s tail and it was truly my dream dress. I felt absolutely magical in it. That dress, combined with such a glamorous location, was a very special moment for me.

DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT YOU WORE FOR YOUR FIRST RED-CARPET APPEARANCE? 
That was the “I am Sam” |premiere and I wore a satin |champagne-coloured dress with capped sleeves. I had a black patent purse that looked like a gift-wrapped present, which I thought was very chic. I’m sure I still have it somewhere. 

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR |PERSONAL AESTHETIC?
I don’t know if I can, actually. |It changes all the time. 
But I usually have a vibe in mind when I’m getting ready and try to execute that as best I can. I’m more traditional than not, but I also like to surprise people, so I try to throw something untraditional into my wardrobe just to keep people on their toes!
ARE YOU MORE OF A FLATS OR HEELS GIRL?
I’m more a flats girl when I’m |in New York because there’s so much walking involved there. There’s a grounded agility that a |flat can bring that just can’t be accomplished in heels, no matter how well you walk in them. 
But, that being said, I love heels of all kinds, and chunky platforms in particular.

WHICH WERE YOUR FAVOURITE SHOES FROM YOUR JIMMY CHOO SHOOT?
There was a pristine white sneaker I absolutely adored – very practical. And I love a slightly dirty white sneaker, so I wouldn’t mind if the city stuck to them after a while. 
There was also a beautiful strappy heel with metallic purples and greens. The straps were like the vines of a flower unfolding across the toes.

WHAT DOES THE BRAND REPRESENT FOR YOU?
To me the brand is absolutely iconic. I’ve worn Jimmy Choo too many times to count, because they’re able to make a statement and they also seamlessly fit with many different looks.

ARE YOU INSPIRED BY THE OUTDOORS LIKE THE JIMMY CHOO COLLECTION? 
I’d question anyone who said nature wasn’t important to them. I don’t get out into it as often as I’d like, but I daydream about all the places I want to visit when I have time. 
One of my favourite places is Tulum in Mexico, with its beautiful beaches and jungles that are transfixing. 

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL SUNDAY AT HOME.
It depends what happened Saturday night! [laughs] Sunday is always a down day for me. Whether friends come over or I have some alone time, there’s never anything major on the books.

YOU’VE TAKEN ON A LEAD ACTING ROLE AND A PRODUCING ROLE ON KRISTEN DUNST’S DIRECTORIAL DEBUT, “THE BELL JAR”. DO YOU HAVE A SUPPORTIVE NETWORK IN THE INDUSTRY?
I’ve been lucky to work with so many talented and deeply good people thus far in my career. So, yes, I think I have a supportive network, for sure. 
MANY OF YOUR ROLES HAVE REQUIRED PHYSICAL ENDURANCE AND YOU’RE |NOT ALWAYS IN THE MOST GLAMOROUS ENVIRONMENTS. DO THOSE CHALLENGES APPEAL TO YOU MORE THAN THE GLOSSIER LEADING-LADY ROLES?
I don’t think that’s ever really made a difference when I’ve been choosing a role. I definitely wouldn’t mind playing a glamorous role, but there’s a sort of adrenaline high that comes with pushing yourself physically for a role that I also enjoy.

WHEN IT COMES TO CAREER ASPIRATIONS, WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS YOU LOOK FOR IN PROJECTS? WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO TELEVISION OR THEATRE?
I’m about to do my first TV series and couldn’t be more excited. It’s such an incredible opportunity to be able to develop a character over a long period of time. 
As for theatre, that’s something I have yet to do but absolutely want to. I know that will be a challenge unlike any other, and I’m also very excited about that.

AND, OUTSIDE OF YOUR WORK, WHAT DO YOU MOST ASPIRE TO ACHIEVE?
The basics – being a good person, creating meaningful relationships, enjoying life and not rushing through time.