Emma Watson is reunited with her co-stars Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint for a TV special to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the first film in the phenomenally successful series.
The 31-year-old appears in “Return to Hogwarts” along with numerous other actors and looks elegant in a high-necked white and black dress, statement earrings, a chic updo and bold red lips.
It’s a reminder of how far the actress has come since she rose to fame as the tousled-haired Hermione Granger in the eight films based on JK Rowling’s books.
To mark the momentous reunion (available on Sky and streaming service Now), here we look back at Emma Watson’s incredible fashion and beauty evolution…
The Harry Potter Years
“Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” was released in 2001, when Watson was just 11 years old.
In her role as Hermione Granger, the actress was mostly seen on screen in a Hogwarts uniform or casual clothing, but when promoting the films and on the red carpet, the young woman resorted to many trends of the 2000s, such as colorful slips, low-cut jeans and ballerina flats.
Regulars in the front row
Towards the end of the 2000s, Watson’s passion for fashion grew and she began attending London Fashion Week shows. The teen star became a regular at Burberry – always dressed head-to-toe in the iconic British brand – and later appeared in one of their campaigns.
Hack and change
After completing the final Harry Potter film in 2010, Watson said a dramatic goodbye to Hermione Granger, revealing a super-short pixie haircut.
In her twenties, Watson’s red carpet style continued to evolve. The actress favored elegant, monochrome minidresses and dramatic evening gowns (her asymmetrical appearance for Prabal Gurung at the 2013 Met Gala was a showstopper), as well as some edgy, tailored outfits.
Costume drama
Watson has worn some fabulous outfits in her roles in the post-Potter films, from Paris Hilton-inspired velvet tracksuits and Uggs in 2013’s The Bling Ring to statement evening gowns in two critically acclaimed remakes: Beauty and the Beast (2017) and Little Women (2019).
Pioneer for sustainable fashion
Watson has been participating in the Green Carpet Challenge (which requires celebrities to wear sustainable and ethical clothing on the red carpet) since 2015 and has become a committed advocate for sustainable fashion.
For the 2016 Met Gala, she chose a Calvin Klein dress made from recycled plastic bottles, and the following year for the premiere of Beauty and the Beast, she chose a dress made from recycled fabrics by Emilia Wickstead.
The actor later partnered with ethical fashion app Good On You and in 2020 took on a sustainability role on the board of Kering, the parent company of luxury fashion brands such as Balenciaga and Gucci.
During her rare public appearance at the inaugural Earthshot Prize ceremony last October, the 31-year-old presented an award and opted for an unusual ensemble by London designer Harris Reed, consisting of an asymmetric tulle dress made from vintage wedding dresses and black flared trousers.
While Watson’s trendsetting outfit divided opinions, it’s clear that the actor is committed to sustainable style both on and off the red carpet.
