So, I was watching tv with some munchies on this rainy rainy day, and what popped on the screen, but a promotional trailer for my favorite fashionable soap opera... That's right folks, Gossip Girl is back in town. Well, not yet exactly, but you know what I mean.
As I'm sure we all remember, last season (season 3, for those who aren't keeping track), ended with Blair and Serena jetting off to Paris (!!!!), Chuck getting shot after leaving a brothel in Prague, and Dan finding out that he got Georgina Sparks (aka Buffy's whiny little sister) pregnant. Oh, and Nate was all 'it was the worst of times, now it's the best of times' thanks to Chuck's little black book. (You will all have to forgive me, but I'm so beyond tired of Archibald that I could die.)
Now, beyond all the ridiculous drama that we watch because it makes us feel better about our own issues, one of Gossip Girl's biggest draws is the fashion it incorporates. It's only to be expected of a show that takes place on the Upper East Side, or just in NYC in general, but like Sex & the City before it, this CW hit is mainstreaming the world of fashion very successfully.
Front and center, we have Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen. It's hard to say which is the more fashionable frontrunner, but one thing is for sure: they have legions upon legions of fans. For the last three years, the two (and their respective actresses, Leighton Meester and Blake Lively) have been duking it out for top spot at Polyvore, and there's no sign of a KO anytime soon. Blair, daughter of a wealthy and successful fashion designer mother, is noted for her classic, preppy look, and I'll tell you right now, if she's not credited with bringing back the headband and bow look in the history of fashion, I will not hesitate to eat my hat. When I think of Blair, Audrey Hepburn is rarely far behind. I imagine if we were to take Marc Jacobs' New York collections and meld them with Louis Vuitton and a dash of Chanel, we would get Ms. Waldorf through and through.
Now, as for SvdW, anyone who doesn't recognize the direct influence of Kate Moss is caught somewhere between unfortunately ignorant and flat out blind. The rocker chic thing she's got going on is something that I've personally been in love with from day one, though from a different perspective, it's unfortunate that they weren't able to be a little bit more original with Serena's styling. I mean seriously, Kate Moss? The one who half the world reckons invented fashion as we know it today, and the other half hates her for doing so? Regardless though, when something works, why bother changing it, right? My favorite part of Serena's wardrobe is the blazer element. It's a great addition to any outfit, but especially if you're not really dressed up. For example: denim cutoffs, ankle boots, an Alexander Wang pocket tee and a blazer? I'm all over that. Oh yeah, and the hair? For those of us blessed with gorgeous long golden locks, I salut you Blake Lively, on a job well done. Top points to you Kate Moss for being a fashion guru, and props to Gossip Girl for imitating it with excellent results.
Aside from our two leading ladies, the boho chic of Jessica Szohr in the role of Vanessa Abrahms has also turned many a head. I quite like Vanessa's style as well, she always looks very comfortable, but at the same time very feminine and fashionable. Vanessa's style has become a little more grown up recently; she seems to be favoring satin-y fabrics as well as her usual knits and prints, but hey, she's still looking great, so who's complaining?
Now we come to dear Little Jenny Humphrey. I say dear, but I'm still really mad that she slept with Chuck (biiiiiiitch). That said, Little J has undergone a drastic sartorial change since the beginning of the series, which is directly related to the change the character herself has experienced. Where she was initially hell-bent on becoming one of Blair's posse, we saw her trying to dress in a way similar to Blair. However, as she became more and more disillusioned with Blair, her style changed accordingly. Colours slowly started fading, and her makeup grew progressively darker, and soon enough, we had a sixteen year old rebel bitch who only ever wears black. And we're not talking Freja Beha black, we're talking Lady Gaga black. Like corsets-garters-and-patent-leather-hooker-boots black. Taylor Momsen of course dresses this way every day herself, so I guess we know where the inspiration comes from. But who knows what's to come for Little J? Momsen is taking a break from the show to go on tour with her band The Pretty Reckless (who are actually a bit of a pleasant surprise, believe it or not). When she returns to the Upper East Side mid-season, will she have changed? Is the bitch truly dead? I'm not holding my breath...
As many of you know, the first few episodes were filmed on location in Paris. What you might not have known is that while shooting was taking place, couture week also happened. Both Blake Lively and Leighton Meester showed up at Chanel, Lively even got to spend some quality time with Kaiser Karl. Even though it's a long shot, I'm really hoping couture week is somehow involved in the Paris episodes... Fingers crossed!
If my eyes don't deceive me, Gossip Girl's newest guest star is none other than the beautiful French actress/model Clémence Poésy, who Americans might remember as Fleur Delacour in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (she will also reprise the role in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows). Poésy had an editorial/interview in Vogue UK the past April; her street style is adorable, like a preppy, menswear type look. Word is that she will be Chuck's French girlfriend on the show, and if the backstage photos I've been spotting are anything to go by, her storyline follows the gang back to New York... Really looking forward to what she brings to the show, both in terms of acting, and style.
Anyway, I have rambled on for quite long enough. Here's the preview!
Excited yet?
Peace, love, and floating,
Gill Ford
