Emma Watson was announced as the cover star for the latest Vanity Fair.
March cover star @EmmaWatson opens up about her metamorphosis from child star to leading woman https://t.co/aS7acDVsm2 pic.twitter.com/kz0H7ZnLkg
— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) February 28, 2017
The photoshoot included shots of her in designer versions of theatrical costumes like a baggy checked double-breasted jacket, various gowns, a fencing uniform, and this picture of her in a see through top which caused MAJOR CONTROVERSY.
Broadcaster Julia Hartley-Brewer was one person who took issue with it (and then, of course, plenty of people took issue with her comment):
Emma Watson: "Feminism, feminism… gender wage gap… why oh why am I not taken seriously… feminism… oh, and here are my tits!" pic.twitter.com/gb7OvxzRH9
— Julia Hartley-Brewer (@JuliaHB1) March 1, 2017
No, no, no, so much no. Can we just say this? This is not “UN-feminist”, it is not hypocritical, and it is not a reason to stop taking Watson seriously. If you automatically think less of a woman because she chose to show her underboob, that is on you, and it’s time to start asking yourself why you need to bash another woman for her choices. This was empowering for her, and why should she be judged for empowering herself? Not to mention, they are all beautiful pictures. It’s time to stop telling women how to dress.
In an interview with Reuters, Watson said: “The shot itself I was honestly slightly taken aback by, because we’d been doing so many crazy things on that shoot. But it felt incredibly artistic and I’ve been so creatively involved and engaged with [Vanity Fair photographer Tim Walker], and I’m so thrilled about how interesting and beautiful the photographs were.”