Scarlett Johansson sizzles in Elle magazine's latest issue, donning a striped crop top, high-waisted skirt featuring.

Ever since her breakthrough performance in Sophia Coppola’s Lost In Translation, Scarlett Johansson has become known for exuding old school glamour on the red carpet.

So it came as no surprise to see the petite actress play one of the most legendary icy blondes to ever work with Alfred Hitchcock in a film biopic of his life.

Ahead of the movie’s release, Scarlett showed just why she was selected for the role of Janet Leigh in a series of smouldering photos captured by acclaimed photographer Rankin.

White hot: Scarlett Johansson smoulders in the latest issue of Elle magazine wearing striped crop top, high-waisted skirt with sheer paneling and tan peep toe ankle boots

As the February 2013 cover star of UK Elle magazine, the 28-year old’s retro curves were given a modern makeover using a fresh colour palette of next season’s designer offerings.

Scarlett’s tresses show a contemporary interpretation of the wave, with the shadow of her roots adding some 90s grunge that worked to move away from the vintage curl she’s known for.

But the boxy striped crop top paired with the paneled pencil skirt provided a futuristic take on the old Hollywood fashion that was designed to accentuate the wearer’s natural curves.

Ice queen: Hitchcock was known for his love icy blondes, and in the new biopic aboutthe director Scarlett is clearly a great choice for the role of Psycho star Janet Leigh

Equally, the blue and white satin dress clings to Scarlett’s figure just as those classic red carpet dresses hugged the gorgeous silhouettes of Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and Ava Gardner.

So far in her career, Scarlett has impressed both on stage and the screen, a considerable achievement for an actress still in her twenties.

But as she approaches the big 30, the face of Dolce & Gabbana perfumes has opened up about her journey from girl to woman.

Speaking to Elle UK, Scarlett said, ‘I feel like I’ve been transitioning from young woman into womanhood for a very long time.

‘Now as I approach 30, with the last few years behind me, I feel like growing pains are behind me.

‘It’s just nice to feel happy.

‘

Exclusive: The full interview can be found in the February edition of Elle magazine UK edition

Whilst the recent BBC-HBO portrayal of Alfred Hitchcock – played by Tobey Jones – showed him to be a sexual menace to The Birds star Tippi Herdren (Sienna Miller), the cinematic version starring Anthony Hopkins is far more sympathetic.

Focused on the 1960’s production of Psycho, it details the love story between the British filmmaker and his wife Alma.

And far from being the victim on set, Scarlett described Janet Leigh as ‘a kind of funny, sexy, confident broad who was able to have something more like a friendship with Hitchcock.’

Hitchcock is out in UK cinemas on February 8th 2013.