Being cast as beloved teen witch Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films at nine years old gave Emma Watson an immediate spotlight and the task of being a role model to countless young girls. That could have been intimidating for some, but Watson has certainly taken the responsibility in stride, becoming a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations, and championing the fight for gender equality. In addition to all of her monumental accomplishments, Watson quickly became a fashion icon in her own right, as well. Over the past two-plus decades, we watched as Watson has stunned in lady-like dresses, glamorous couture gowns, and chicly tailored suits. She has wowed both in the front row at fashion week and on the red carpets of events like the Academy Awards and the Met Gala. Watson’s ladylike elegance is unfaltering, and on top of it all, she’s never one to shy away from a fashion risk. No wonder she now sits on the board of Kering, the parent company of Balenciaga and Gucci. Now, in honor of her 33rd birthday, we’re looking back at Watson’s best red carpet moments, from the first Harry Potter premiere in 2001 to today.
2023: The Soho House Awards
Watson put a ladylike twist on sheer fabric during The Soho House Awards in a crochet maxi dress.
2023: Elton John AIDS Foundation’s Academy Awards Viewing Party
2022: The Kering Foundation’s Caring For Women Dinner
The actress contrasted her white lace Alexander McQueen dress with a black studded clutch from the brand.
Watson attended the BAFTAs in 2022 wearing a black and white Oscar de la Renta pre-fall 2022 dress with a ruffled tulle high-low skirt.
This Harris Reed look Watson wore to the Earthshot Prize in 2021 was made from upcycled wedding gowns.
2019: Little Women Premiere
Watson tucked her black Balenciaga spring 2020 dress into her velvet, thigh-high boots for the premiere of Little Women in 2019.
2018: Vanity Fair Oscar Party
All the attention was on Watson’s neck at the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, when the actress attended in a Ralph Lauren fall 2013 velvet dress with an intricate high neck detail.
Watson, who attended the 2018 Golden Globes alongside activist Marai Larasi, wore a black satin Ronald van der Kemp with a sheer panel at the bust and ruffle details on top.
2017: The Circle Premiere
Simple and sleek was the name of the game when it came to Watson’s Burberry dress for the premiere of The Circle at the Tribeca Film Festival.
2017: Beauty and the Beast World Premiere
For much of the Beauty and the Beast promotion cycle, Watson wore gorgeous ballgowns, but she took a break for the world premiere and slipped into a chic jumpsuit by Oscar de la Renta with a gold rose adorning the hip.
2017: Beauty and the Beast UK Premiere
Watson looked very much like a princess at the London premiere of Beauty and the Beast, for which she wore an off-the-shoulder Emilia Wickstead gown with an attached cape.
2016: Harper’s Bazaar Women of the Year Awards
Embracing her edgy side, Watson attended the Women of the Year Awards in a sheer, embroidered Dior dress, and completed the look with a choker.
2016: “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology” Met Gala
The actress made a striking appearance at the Met Gala wearing a gown made of recycled materials and designed by Calvin Klein.
2016: White House Correspondents’ Dinner
All eyes were on Watson at the 102nd White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, which the actress attended wearing an Osman white floral split midi dress over blue trousers and a classic heel.
Always lovely in Dior, Watson attended the 2015 Time 100 Gala in an asymmetrical two-piece look.
2014: British Fashion Awards
Looking incredibly chic at the British Fashion Awards, Watson graced the red carpet in a Misha Nonoo jumpsuit paired with an oversized black blazer and Anya Hindmarch clutch.
2014: Noah London Premiere
Watson embraced simplicity for the London premiere of her film, Noah, attending the event in a white halter dress by Ralph Lauren.
2014: Noah New York Premiere
From the front, this Oscar de la Renta fall 2014 black duchess-satin dress was fairly simple, but when Watson turned around, she revealed a low-cut back finished off with a velvet bow and layered train.
Watson was radiant on the red carpet at the 86th Annual Academy Awards, wearing a two-toned gown by Vera Wang, accented by beautiful rings, and a ruby red lip.
2014: Golden Globe Awards
The actress went for a slightly unexpected look at the 2014 Golden Globes, wearing a Dior couture look featuring a backless red dress over slim black trousers.
2013: The Bling Ring New York Premiere
Watson wore a Chanel fall 2013 tweed mini dress featuring a high collar to the premiere of The Bling Ring in 2013.
2013: The Is the End Premiere
For the premiere of This Is the End in 2013, Watson paired a Roland Mouret fall 2013 bustier with 3.1 Philip Lim cigarette pants and Ferragamo pumps.
2013: Cannes Film Festival
Watson looked elegant in Chanel spring 2013 couture at the Cannes festival premiere of her film, The Bling Ring.
2013: “PUNK: Chaos to Couture” Met Gala
In a nod to the night’s theme, Watson wore a revealing, yet sophisticated, black gown by Prabal Gurung to the 2013 Met Gala.
2012: The Perks of Being a Wallflower Premiere
Watson wore a nude, halter neck Giorgio Armani dress with a tiered skirt to the premiere of her film, The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
2011: My Week With Marilyn Premiere
The London premiere of My Week with Marilyn called for a sophisticated Jason Wu look featuring a black skirt and white peplum top.
2011: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two New York Premiere
In her final moment as Hermione Granger, Watson attended the New York premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 wearing a stunning Bottega Veneta corset dress.
2011: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two London Premiere
Watson went for more of a princess-y look at the London premiere of the final Harry Potter film, wearing an icy blue Oscar de la Renta dress with an embellished bodice and tulle skirt.
Watson wore a one shoulder Valentino Couture dress with a ruffled neckline to the BAFTA Awards in 2011.
2010: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One New York Premiere
Looking exceptionally chic, Watson attended the New York premiere for the penultimate Harry Potter film in a simple, black Calvin Klein dress.
2010: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One London Premiere
Watson went for something a bit more risqué when she opted to wear a sheer, lace mini dress from Rafael Lopez with a feathered skirt to the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One premiere in London.
2010: “American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity” Met Gala
The 2010 Met Gala called for a one-shoulder, white Burberry gown with a high slit and asymmetric ruffle details.
2009: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince London Premiere
The world premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince may have been taken over by rain, but Watson still shined bright in a vintage dress by Ossie Clark.
Watson wore a simple black Temperley dress with a floral neck and strap detail to the BAFTA Awards in 2009.
2008: The Tale of Despereaux Premiere
The then-18-year-old wore a navy blue William Tempest spring/summer 2009 mini dress to the premiere of the animated film The Tale of Despereaux.
2007: Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards
Watson went casual for the KCAs in 2007, pairing a sheer white blouse with gold detailing with a pair of jeans and knee-high leather boots.
2007: Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix Los Angeles Premiere
At the premiere of the fifth Harry Potter film, Watson wore a Chanel spring 2007 white mini dress with a pair of silver slingback flats from Topshop.
2005: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire London Premiere
Watson went for classic simplicity at the Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire London premiere, wearing a DKNY fall 2004 sleeveless dress with ruching at the waist.
For her first BAFTAs, Watson decided to embrace color and wear a green Alberta Ferretti spring 2005 ankle-length dress.
2004: Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban London Premiere
Watson looked adorable in a deep purple dress from the 1920s, which she spiced up with a floral corsage.
2004: Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban New York Premiere
This khaki-colored Lanvin dress was perfect for the then-14-year-old, and it had the added detail of a black bow on the back.
2002: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Los Angeles Premiere
Even at 12, Watson had quite the eye for style. For the premiere of the second Harry Potter film, the actress took on the red carpet in a Rozae Nichols sheer paisley dress with a slip underneath and a Chanel leather jacket on top.
2002: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets New York Premiere
Watson wore a contrasting look to the Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets New York premiere, showing up in a matching camo print set, decorated with gold, embellished flowers.
2001: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Premiere
Watson arrived at her first-ever movie premiere in a tonal green look featuring straight-leg pants, a sleeveless blouse, and a velvet shawl.
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