Emma Watson Strikes a Pose in Vogue’s July 2011 Issue

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Emma Watson is ready to move on to life beyond the Harry Potter franchise. In Amanda Foreman's Vogue article entitled "Emma's New Day," the actress formerly known as Hermione Granger discussed her love of art, acting, fashion, and what lies ahead for the 21-year-old actress now that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (in theaters July 15th) is complete.

Vogue's July 2011 issue (available now) not only features an in-depth interview with the beautiful and talented Watson but also includes a gorgeous photo spread of the actress shot by Mario Testino. And speaking of gorgeous photo spreads, fans of HBO's True Blood (which premieres Sunday June 26th) will recognize Alexander Skarsgard in photos by Peter Lindbergh.

During her interview with Vogue, Emma Watson said that she draws inspiration from a variety of sources including the artwork of Joan Miro and Patti Smith's memoir Just Kids. Of the latter, the actress said, "I want to live like Patti. I want to write like Patti... The book was so honest and brave. I love the way she sees the world. I really felt that life was more beautiful after I read it."

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Watson is one of highest paid actresses in showbiz; thanks to the Harry Potter films (she has made $30 million for the last two films). But according to the article, she also had to make some sacrifices in the success. For Watson, "Acting the part of Hermione was not simply a matter of taking the odd hiatus from normal life; the constant filming and promoting of the movies became normal life."

Emma developed a close friendship with co-star Daniel Radcliffe and reportedly went to New York to see his Broadway performance in How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

And she already has a pretty good head start on life beyond the Harry Potter universe. She plans to star in the film version of Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Her character, Samantha, is "as far removed from the wholesome Hermione as could be."

In addition to acting, Watson is also a student at Brown University (she's currently taking a break), creating her own fashion line with People Tree, and becoming a spokesperson for Lancôme's new fragrance, Midnight Rose.

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So how does Emma balance all of this? She has gotten some advice from her peers like Academy Award-nominee James Franco, who she met while studying at Rhode Island School of Design. When asked about the experience, the young actress said, "I talked to him about juggling studying and making films... He's not afraid or limited by what he fears people will say about it."

And Watson is clearly not afraid to take risks when it comes to acting on anything else. Harry Potter director David Yates calls Watson, "an incredibly intuitive and instinctive actor." Emma Watson is a bright young lady with a bright future ahead of her.

And if you're wondering where "Cars 2" after its spectacular opening, well, let's just say its what everyone will be talking about on Monday. That means it'll find a home on our list next time around.

Harry Potter Emma Watson Unseen Hot Videos

Harry Potter Emma Watson Unseen Hot Pictures

Reading Between the Lines

There are two magazines in the fashion industry that every single person knows by name- VOGUE and ELLE. These two seem to be in competition with each other at all costs.. because of course, it is the fashion industry... everything is a competition. I have been an avid reader of both magazines for quite a few years now. Each time I would flip through, examining the advertisements for catchy items, sometimes reading the articles that actually appealed to me, and then go and place it on my bookshelf. Not this time.

First I read through the January 2011 VOGUE with beautiful Natalie Portman on the cover. The Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour, made a shout-out about the movie "The Great Gatsby" coming to theatres in 2012, which I am absolutely stoked for... but that is for another post. There was a whole page dedicated to "VOGUE point of view" with three words that caught my eye instantly- "A CLEAN SLATE." This is what really reeled me in to this specific issue. "...Let go of the old to allow something new and better to enter your life" is only one line of the inspirational passage that was ahead. Learning that my jeggings and leggings were going to be soon "out of style" didn't sit with me well, though, because it is my absolute favorite thing to wear lately. This whole semester of college I wore my jeggings almost every night. "The clean-lined, crisp, neo-minimalist clothes of the new year smack of modernity. For once, we truly haven't seen them before. The future is now" was a great ending to this page of genius thoughts. VOGUE readers would know that high waists, trousers, and wide legs are squeezing their way into the trends for this Spring. VOGUE really blew my mind this issue.

The January 2011 ELLE was also a glorious issue, with Sarah Jessica Parker as the cover girl. Joe Zee, the creative director, had a great section dedicated to L.A. and NYC and how different they are when it comes to different styles. He took six girls and dressed them like New Yorkers while in L.A. and vise versa. It was a cute little section that caught my eye. There was also a promotion for STYLE360 and the fashion shows that they put on during New York Fashion Week this past Fall. These two pages were full of celebrities, clothes, and models. This included a picture from the Indashio show that I worked, which (as I wrote about in previous posts) was an incredible experience. This issue also stressed the contrasting trends for the Spring/Summer 2011 season, which is whites and neutrals vs. bright colors. The "Ask E. Jean" section that ELLE has in every issue is always one of my favorites. ELLE really succeeds in putting fashion into a different perspective that is easy to follow.

It is shocking that both magazines stuck out to me in the same month, especially with how thin these issues are. With such beautiful meaning that is slowly but surely catching on to me, there are more to these magazines than just pretty models and boatloads of advertisements. Within are words of wisdom straight from fashion experts themselves. I am finally learning to read between the lines.