Celebrity style crush: Emma Watson

If England has ever had a national ‘sweetheart’, it’s Emma Watson. Playing adorable, know-it-all, increasingly beautiful Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter franchise, Emma has catapulted to global fame and also attracted many appraising nods from the high fashion world. I think it’s rare for a young starlet to achieve true fashion kudos, especially when their film is somewhat targeted at the under-15 demographic (not that I’m not OBSESSED with HP myself. So obsessed I call Harry Potter, ‘HP’). Emma has managed to simultaneously have a plastic figurine modelled on her likeness and be called a muse by Karl Largerfeld. It’s like Miley Cyrus being the face of La Mer. The two world’s of commercial mass-adoration and the artistic fashion elite rarely intercept, but Emma Watson has created a niche all for herself.

So how does she do it? Well. For starters, Emma’s grandmother was French and she was born in the hometown of style, Paris. Emma lived there until she was five and then moved to Oxfordshire, England. I believe having a French background does give her a certain grace and innate fashion sense. She has also been very up front about how important her education is, studying Liberal Arts at Brown University. This shows she clearly doesn’t buy into the celebrity hype and her values are firmly in place. No bar hopping or skimpy outfits for this young icon.

Having turned 20 last April, Emma’s maturity seems far beyond her years. Her taste in clothes reflects this as she often picks somewhat reserved, high end pieces and teams them with a something youthful and fun. She has also turned her hand to designing and created a collection with People Tree – a fair trade clothing company. Emma is also the face of Burberry Spring/Summer 2010 and stars with her brother in their breathtakingly beautiful campaign.

So here are my top five moments of Emma Watson style. Chic, classic and a genuine style icon.

Emma does sheer

Emma has perfected the demure and sexy look. I love the sheer fabric in an elegant navy and the plunging neckline that still keeps everything hidden. Choosing a sheer fabric can give you instant style, but make sure you have the perfect underwear for this or it can look like a bit of a trainwreck. This beautiful, sheer panelled dress (on right) is from Milk and Honey and is available from incityfashion.com.au!

Bold prints

You know what makes this outfit amazing? Three things: the clean and no fuss hair, the elegant hourglass shape of the tunic dress and the muted colours of the print. It’s bold but done in a sophisicated and artistic way.

Golden delight

This is my favourite Emma Watson look. So glamourous and flirty, yet teamed with that simple fuss-free hairstyle. I love the chunky heels too! If I had this dress, I don’t think I would ever take it off.

Brit pride

This is why the English love their style icons – they love to incorporate the Union Jack! The fact that it’s Chanel makes it all the more fabulous and I love this fire engine red with Emma’s pale complexion. Pure Brit perfection.

Leather and lace

This Christopher Kane number has done the rounds, being worn by a few celebs to events, but Emma’s take on it is my favourite. The leather, lace and floral combination could wash some people out, but I think it perfectly compliments Emma’s soft features and glowing skin. If you are wearing something eye catching like this dress, remember to be simple with hair, make-up and accessories.

Labels on my radar: Christopher Kane, Burberry, Chanel, Milk and Honey, Miu Miu, Country Road, Jag, Ralph Lauren, Phillip Lim, Birds of a Feather, Pucci.