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It’s not every day that Disney gets a new princess. Today’s announcement that the live-action Mulan has found its leading lady adds another great name to the studio’s roster in the form of Chinese actress Liu Yifei (aka Crystal Liu). Already one of China’s biggest stars, Liu beat out thousands to snag the role. With her varied résumé, it’s easy to see why. Not only can she act and carry off complicated fight scenes, Liu is also quite capable of singing—she’s released chart-topping albums both in Chinese and Japanese. All this makes her a perfect choice to embody Mulan. While we’ll have to wait until 2018 to see Liu take her talents to the big screen, her fashion skills are already evident. A master of the regal red carpet look, she regularly chooses high-drama pieces that highlight her delicate beauty.
Liu is capable of pulling off preppy Ralph Lauren separates (as she did earlier this month for the Beijing premiere of her latest film, The Chinese Widow) or a dainty cocktail dress (like the black-and-white number she wore yesterday in Shanghai). But Liu seems at her best when she goes for couture glamour. Arriving at big events like the Beijing International Film Festival in a sweeping pink Zuhair Murad gown, or attending Cannes in floral appliqué-covered Dior, she projects all the elegance and stature of a serious movie star. Dubbed “Fairy Sister” by her fans, thanks to her wholesome image and love of fairy tale–worthy fashions, audiences have come to expect that she’ll wear something special at every appearance. Channelling her fashion expertise into a series of lucrative endorsements, she’s served as an ambassador for brands like Dior and Tissot.
Of course, Liu’s ability to dress flawlessly is only one aspect of her appeal. Taking on the part of an unconventional heroine—Mulan is, after all, a warrior, not a princess in the traditional sense—she’s set to show off the kind of acting chops that have placed her alongside Zhang Ziyi and Yang Mi as one of China’s most respected actresses. Whether or not she chooses to use her upcoming press tour to show off the latest in couture looks, Liu’s innate style makes her a girl to watch going forward.