Audrey Hepburn's granddaughter Emma Ferrer on seeing aspects of the iconic star in herself - and inheriting that 'comic gene'

By Margot Peppers for MailOnline

Published: 11:15 EST, 23 October 2014 | Updated: 13:52 EST, 23 October 2014

As the granddaughter of Audrey Hepburn, Emma Ferrer has quite the legacy coursing through her veins.

The 20-year-old, who is getting ready to move to New York in January, told Yahoo Style that even though she sadly never met the iconic star, she does feel an undeniable connection to her.

'My dad will sometimes laugh at things I do or say,' she said of her father Sean Ferrer, Hepburn's oldest son. 'He says I inherited the "comic gene" from her.' 

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Family connections: Audrey Hepburn's 20-year-old granddaughter Emma Ferrer says that even though she sadly never met the iconic star, she does feel an undeniable connection to her

Family connections: Audrey Hepburn's 20-year-old granddaughter Emma Ferrer says that even though she sadly never met the iconic star, she does feel an undeniable connection to her

In her genes: 'My dad will sometimes laugh at things I do or say,' she said of her father Sean Ferrer, Hepburn's oldest son. 'He says I inherited the "comic gene" from her'

In her genes: 'My dad will sometimes laugh at things I do or say,' she said of her father Sean Ferrer, Hepburn's oldest son. 'He says I inherited the "comic gene" from her'

In a stunning spread shot in Paris, Emma poses on the banks of the Seine in high-fashion looks, her naturally curly hair dripping as though she has just gone for a swim in the river.

One photo sees her posing in a menswear-inspired blazer with nothing underneath. In another, she shows off her trim physique in a ballerina-inspired black Lanvin dress as she strolls down the steps to the river bank. 

Emma, who grew up in Los Angeles with her mother and currently attends the Florence Academy of Art in Italy, says that she can't help but see herself in her grandmother when she watches her films.

'She has this really warm energy and she's joyful, happy, and playful,' she explains. 

On camera: The art student, who studies in Florence and is moving stateside in January, admits that she has only seen a 'handful' of her grandmother's films - starting with Breakfast at Tiffany's when she was young

On camera: The art student, who studies in Florence and is moving stateside in January, admits that she has only seen a 'handful' of her grandmother's films - starting with Breakfast at Tiffany's when she was young

Flashback: Audrey Hepburn pictured with her first husband Mel Ferrer, Emma's paternal grandfather

Flashback: Audrey Hepburn pictured with her first husband Mel Ferrer, Emma's paternal grandfather

Hand-me-downs: Emma inherited some of Hepburn's scarves, sweaters and other clothes. 'I used to wear this little black and white skirt that was hers, but I outgrew it. She was really, really tiny,' Emma says

Hand-me-downs: Emma inherited some of Hepburn's scarves, sweaters and other clothes. 'I used to wear this little black and white skirt that was hers, but I outgrew it. She was really, really tiny,' Emma says

'And she has certain mannerisms that I can connect with, for example this innocent look of surprise - a wide-eyed nature - she sometimes has. I see that in my little brother, too, and it makes me feel similar to her in a way, which is really nice.' 

I used to wear this little black and white skirt that was hers, but I outgrew it. She was really, really tiny

And yet the brunette, who was launched into the spotlight after starring on the cover of Harper's Bazaar's September issue, admits that she has only seen a 'handful' of her grandmother's films - starting with Breakfast at Tiffany's when she was young, which she has only watched once. 

'My dad always really wanted it to be a sort of self-discovery of my own. So, the movies are there - we have them if and when I want to see them - but it was never like I was initiated into a secret cult,' she jokes.

Apart from character traits, Emma has also inherited a few physical possessions from Hepburn, including some of her cashmere Ralph Lauren turtlenecks, scarves, a vintage teddy bear and a skirt, which was so small she can no longer wear it. 

Seeing eye to eye: 'She has certain mannerisms that I can connect with, for example this innocent look of surprise - a wide-eyed nature - she sometimes has,' Emma says of her famous relative

Seeing eye to eye: 'She has certain mannerisms that I can connect with, for example this innocent look of surprise - a wide-eyed nature - she sometimes has,' Emma says of her famous relative

Creative instincts: 'Growing up, I always wanted to be an artist of some kind, I think. A pop singer, a ballet dancer, a painter,' she says

Creative instincts: 'Growing up, I always wanted to be an artist of some kind, I think. A pop singer, a ballet dancer, a painter,' she says

Finding her feet: Now, following the success of her September Harper's Bazaar cover and the sudden influx of public interest in her, Emma is beginning to explore her other options

Finding her feet: Now, following the success of her September Harper's Bazaar cover and the sudden influx of public interest in her, Emma is beginning to explore her other options

'I used to wear this little black and white skirt that was hers, but I outgrew it. She was really, really tiny,' Emma says. 

She may feel inextricably linked to her famous relative, but that doesn't mean Emma hasn't branched out on her own to find her personal passions and talents.

Indeed, until recently art has been her primary focus. She'll be transferring to her art school's new satellite campus in New Jersey next year, making the move to the U.S. with her artist boyfriend Richard Greathouse, who hails from Nashville, Tennessee.

'Growing up, I always wanted to be an artist of some kind, I think. A pop singer, a ballet dancer, a painter,' she says.

All grown up: As for her future career, 'it could be modeling,' she says. ''I'm talking to a few agencies. I would be interested in acting, too. But more than that I’m just excited to be in New York'

All grown up: As for her future career, 'it could be modeling,' she says. ''I'm talking to a few agencies. I would be interested in acting, too. But more than that I’m just excited to be in New York'

Turning a corner: 'I wouldn't say that my life has changed, but a lot of new things happened that would never have happened to me before,'' she says of suddenly being launched into the spotlight

Turning a corner: 'I wouldn't say that my life has changed, but a lot of new things happened that would never have happened to me before,'' she says of suddenly being launched into the spotlight

Just like her grandmother, Emma was forced to give up ballet because she grew too tall (in spite of her delicate appearance, Hepburn was 5ft 10in, according to her son.

She has mannerisms I can connect with, for example this innocent look of surprise - a wide-eyed nature 

Now, following the success of her Harper's cover and the sudden influx of public interest in her, Emma is beginning to explore her other options.

'I wouldn't say that my life has changed, but a lot of new things happened that would never have happened to me before: going to fashion week in New York, being in photo shoots, meeting people in the fashion world,' she says.

As for her future career, 'it could be modeling,' she says. ''I'm talking to a few agencies. I would be interested in acting, too. But more than that I’m just excited to be in New York.'  

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