Blake Lively’s character ‘Serena’ wore a gold Lorena Sarbu sequin scallop dress on last night’s episode, 1/16/2012, of Gossip Girl “The End of the Affair”. Blake paired it with a chunky, bold statement necklace and leggings. Do you love?

Blake Lively’s Gossip Girl Character Serena

Lorena Sarbu Fashion

As a contemporary woman with impeccable style, Lorena Sarbu infuses her glamorous and European-inspired personal style into each of her beautifully timeless creations. With an eye for exquisite detail, Sarbu combines sumptuous fabrics, unique textures and intricate embellishments to create distinctively stunning designs for the modern woman. Lorena Sarbu has already garnered a following in Hollywood, bringing style and glamour to the red-carpet with her unique couture designs. The collection is sold at prestigious retailers throughout North America, including Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Hugo Nicholson and Hirshleifer’s, as well as high-profile specialty stores and worldwide distribution including Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Vera Wang Lovestruck ad campaign. A modern day love story set in downtown New York City, the Lovestruck ad campaign features Leighton Meester, star of Gossip Girl, in a couture Vera Wang gown. She leans over a fire escape, awaiting the arrival of her Romeo, who races towards her with a bouquet of flowers for their Lovestruck moment.

Leighton Meester’s New Ad Campaign for Vera Wang Lovestruck perfume

Creative Director: Trey Laird

Talent: Leighton Meester

Director/Photographer: Carter Smith

Location: SoHo, New York City

Date: November 6, 2010

Campaign styled by Mario Grauso

Gossip Girl Taylor Momsen’s amazing transformation. I’m speechless! Talking about the power of hair and makeup (is it just me but her nose looks much smaller). Blond hair and smoky eye can take you a long way. Maybe?

MCM’s Amazoness Hobo and Notte Hobo were featured in Gossip Girl.

I’m excited to share with you my interview with Sofia Vintage Co-Owner Ashley Zisook!

Gossip Girl star, Leighton Meester, has recently spotted shopping at Chicago’s premier shopping destination, Sofia Vintage at 1165 North Clark Street. Leighton was in town for her performance at The Underground and was dressed head to toe in Sofia Vintage’s finest fashions for the red carpet including a sexy long sleeve open back, black lace top with trendy olive colored trousers.

L to R: Sofia Vintage co-owner, Ashley Zisook and Leighton Meester
photo credit Rob Grabowski

Launched in the spring of ’09, Sofia Vintage features a variety of men and women’s vintage clothing, emerging designers, and accessories, at all price points. Co-owners, Ashley Zisook and Allison Zisook Goldstein, Chicago natives and sisters with two drastically different fashion styles and backgrounds, join forces to bring Chicagoans unique vintage pieces with a goal to revive class, grace and beauty from decades past intertwined with today’s trends.

In this interview Ashley Zisook talks to Marta Walsh about her love for fashion and the creation of Sofia Vintage. Her meeting with Leighton Meester. How she makes her partnership with sister Allison work. Personal style and philosophy about life. 

Marta Walsh: When did you first become interested in fashion?
Ashley Zisook: I have always been into fashion… however, I never really thought it would be my career. I was in the music industry in Los Angeles and I felt I needed more creativity in my life so I enrolled in FIDM and started “The Piece” with 2 of my college friends from Boulder. The Piece was a once a month vintage sale for ladies we would do in our backyard–each month it would keep getting bigger! When I was moving back to Chicago I knew I wanted to continue doing something like The Piece, but on a much bigger scale—I wanted to offer Chicago a different type of shopping experience that hadn’t ever been done before.

MW: How was the concept for the Sofia Vintage boutique born?
AZ: We took many elements from The Piece and then added menswear and new lines from up and coming, emerging designers. The concept of Sofia is to mix the new with the old, bring back the beauty and grace of fashion and individual style. I want people to come to Sofia and have an experience…its like walking into your best friend’s closet and, you get the bonus of personal styling if you choose.

MW: Who do you see shopping in Sofia Vintage?
AZ: Sofia Vintage really has something for everyone! From the most conservative dressers to the biggest fashion risk takers, everyone can wear the pieces at Sofia. Also, we have a price point for everyone so anyone can shop here!

MW: How do you go about buying for the store, where do you get your inspiration?
AZ: We go to estate sales, auctions, consignment, and take buying road trips across the country. I get inspiration from everywhere and everything…I love to travel and see how people in each city and different countries dress…I love watching all the runway shows from all of the major fashion weeks. When I go shopping for the store I envision a specific person for what I’m buying. Everything in the store is there for a reason…it is all handpicked by either my sister or me.

MW: How do you make the business partnership with sister Allison work?
AZ: Both Allison and I are both very laid back–we know what each of us brings to Sofia. She’s better on the business side of things while I’m better at styling and pulling outfits together. She’s very organized and I’m more creative. We certainly balance each other out and she is absolutely my best friend.

MW: We hear actress Leighton Meester stopped by Sofia Vintage recently. What was it like meeting Leighton and also finding the best outfit for her?
AZ: Leighton was super sweet…she tried on a bunch of different outfits. Specifically, we were looking for 2 outfits for that evening- one for press and one for her live performance at The Underground (a nightclub in Chicago). We went through all the looks we pulled, narrowed it down to our favorites and finally came up with the winning look…a black long sleeve, open back lace top with olive trousers. Leighton is such a fashion forward individual and a style icon of today’s generation, so I was truly honored to have her in Sofia!

Leighton Meester in Sofia Vintage on the red carpet for The Underground.
Photo credit Rob Grabowski

MW: Which other celebrities do you see wearing the styles in your boutique?
AZ: I see celebrities like Nicole Ritchie, Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen, Chloe Sevigny, Kate Hudson…Rachel Zoe would DIE in here (in her own words J) all wearing Sofia Vintage. I’ve styled a many musicians and I think rock stars would just love it!

MW: How would you describe Chicago when it comes to style?
AZ: I think Chicago is growing in terms of style…people are becoming more creative and wanting to be more original. I want to help people step out of what they are used to or what they think they are supposed to be wearing and help them find their individual style…every time someone puts on an outfit they should feel amazing and confident like they will rock wherever they are going…whether it be a job interview, first date or Sunday afternoon.

MW: How would you describe your own personal style?
AZ: I like to mix pieces from different eras together…the old classic styles with modern looks…laid back…boho-california comfortable….I accessorize A LOT!!! I also always carry at least 2 pairs of sunglasses with me. I always like to take risks and have fun with my style…you only live once!

MW: What is next for you and for Sofia Vintage?
AZ: I don’t like to plan…I always like to see where life takes me….life is a journey…that’s why I always say “live lovely”….cause really, if you want to enjoy your life, that’s all you can do.

Thank you Ashley Zisook for brilliant interview! xo Marta

Sofia Vintage is located in the Gold Coast at 1165 N. Clark St. in Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60610. They accepts Cash, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. Store hours are Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. and open for hosted monthly parties. Please contact Ashley and/or Allison at 312.640.0878 or visit www.sofiavintage.com  for additional information. Parking available: metered street parking, Treasure Island parking garage, and Clark/Division red line accessible.

H&M and Nathalie Rykiel hosted an exclusive preview of the Sonia Rykiel pour H&M Knitwear Collection, on Thursday, February 4 at Bobo 181 West 10th Street New York.

 
Chanel Iman

Chanel Iman made her DJ debut at the prelude to New York Fashion Week, welcoming industry insiders and celebrities to celebrate the launch. Bold faced names in attendance included Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester, actress Michelle Williams, Gossip Girl actresses Kelly Rutherford and Chanel Farrell, socialite Kelly Killoren Bensimon, writer and model Amanda Hearst, model Dree Hemingway, Ugly Betty star Mark Indelicato, models Hannah Holman and Siri Tollerod, and stylist Philip Bloch.

Leighton Meester

The exclusive Sonia Rykiel pour H&M knitwear collection follows the great success of Rykiel’s recent lingerie collection for H&M, with the second part of the collaboration focusing on the knitwear pieces that have propelled Sonia Rykiel to legendary status. The Sonia Rykiel pour H&M knitwear collection will bring Rykiel’s signature knit pieces to 200 stores worldwide, (20 stores in the U.S.), on February 20th and marks the first H&M designer series to create looks for both women and girls.

Mark Indelicato and Leighton Meester

Michelle Williams

Kelly Rutherford

Chanel Farrell

Nathalie Rykiel (left) and Kelly Killoren Bensimon (right)

Amanda Hearst

Philip Bloch and Nathalie Rykiel

SPOTTED at the Victoria’s Secret boutique in the SoHo on Thursday, January 14th, 2010: Gossip Girl Star Taylor Momsen celebrating the launch of Love Rocks perfume by Victoria’s Secret Beauty.

See more Taylor Momsen photos at the Love Rocks perfume by Victoria’s Secret launch!

Meet Gossip Girl star Taylor Momsen and celebrate the launch of the new fragrance Sexy Little Things Love Rock by Victoria’s Secret Beauty.

WHEN: Thursday January 14, 2010. 6:30-7:30 PM.

Sexy Little Things Love Rocks  The New Fragrance by Victoria’s Secret Beauty: Equal parts hopeless romantic and untamed rebel, Love Rocks is the latest addition to our glamorous Sexy Little Things fragrance collection. Inspired by the edgy allure of rock ‘n’ roll, Love Rocks is a study in contrasts: Rock star leather paired with pop star lace. Soft in studded stilettos. Powerful and daring, yet intoxicatingly feminine, the scent itself is a rebellious riff on vivid Plum, hypnotic Violet and sensual Vanilla.

The packaging has its own rock ‘n’ roll edge: a bold red lacquer bottle adorned with tattoo-inspired graphics. Even our signature Sexy Little Things atomizer gets its own Love Rocks twist: a removable black leatherette

THE COLLECTION

A Fruity Floral

Top: Bergamot, Peony, Raspberry Sorbet
Middle: Sandalwood Flower, Jasmine,
Peach Nectar, Plum, Stephanotis
Dry-Down: Golden Amber, Violet, Cashmere Musk, Vanilla

EAU DE PARFUM, 1.7 oz.
Scented Lotion, 8.4 oz.
Scented Bath & Shower Cream, 16.9 oz.
Scented Mist, 8.4 oz.
Lip Gloss Ring

Sexy Little Things Love Rocks takes center stage January 2010 at Victoria’s Secret Stores and victoriassecret.com.

My favorite girl Blake Lively and Gossip Girl star is featured on the cover of Esquire Magazine February 2010. I love the darker wet hair, it creates a great contrast with her blue eyes and fair skin. Think: Megan Fox.

See more Blake Lively in Esquire Magazine February 2010!

With a private tour led by TV series hairstylist Betsy Reyes, IT&LY HAIRFASHION, NA. President/CEO Richard Zucckero visited the set of the smash CW phenomenon Gossip Girl in New York City.

As a professional manufacturer of superior Italian made hair color and color care products, IT&LY HAIRFASHION is an on-set favorite with celebrity hairdresser Betsy Reyes, who is responsible for creating some of the world famous Upper East Side styles of the cast. IT&LY HAIRFASHION spent a day on set in the hair and makeup room, while walking through the elaborate sets created for this New York City elite cast of Gossip Girl.

L-R, Gossip Girl Stylist Betsy Reyes talking to IT&LY CEO Richard Zucckero and Publicist Janice McCafferty on the set of character Chuck Bass’ Penthouse Apartment.

Gossip Girl hairstylist Betsy Reyes will once again join forces with IT&LY HAIRFASHION by being a featured Celebrity Guest Artist for the company’s events by re-creating looks from Gossip Girl using IT&LY HAIRFASHION products. In addition to these events, Betsy will also host several VIP Evenings with IT&LY showcasing her talents and sharing insider styling tips with fellow hairdressers in the industry.

About It&ly Hairfashion, N.A., Inc.: IT&LY HAIRFASHION, Milan Italy manufactures complete professional only hair color systems supported by a line of after-color hair care sold world-wide and cruelty free! They have offices in Pittsburgh, PA and Italy to house the company’s advanced training centers. Their Colorly 20/20 permanent hair color along with the soon to be launched Aquar&ly and delyTON hair color systems are made of the highest quality ingredients, providing superior grey coverage and long-lasting colors. Each color line is supported with both national and international educational programs and training seminars by their master and award winning colorists.

IT&LY HAIRFASHION, Milan Italy’s superior product detail consistently achieves unparalleled results and complete customer satisfaction by combining State-of-the-Art Technology with over 1000 years of Italian Artistic Perfection.