Actress Leighton Meester and iconic fashion designer Vera Wang appeared in Harrods yesterday, June 9th, 2011, to launch the designer’s new fragrance, Lovestruck, which will launch in the US in September. Over two hundred fans queued to see the star, who is also featured in the ad campaign.

Leighton Meester introduces Vera Wang’s new fragrance Lovestruck, at world famous department store Harrods.

Vera Wang said, “Leighton’s beauty, talent and spirit will inspire all the young women that I hope will enjoy wearing this passionate, new young fragrance. She is the perfect heroine for my tale of romance.”

The stars also tweeted: Vera Wang: ”Love love love London! The fashion, the food, the people! Just hours until my fragrance launch at @HarrodsofLondon with @itsmeleighton xxV ”

Leighton Meester: ”@HarrodsOfLondon today!! (I love that place) Launching #Lovestruck with (goddess) @VeraWangGang at 1pm (13:00 hehe)”

“A busy few days with Leighton Meester–lighting the Emprie State Building, attending a dinner to benefit the world’s largest bone marrow donor center (DKMS), and launching the new Vera Wang fragrance, Lovestruck. Leighton shines on the Red Carpet in this tobacco, washed silk, one shoulder Vera Wang dress with draped shoulder.” via the Vera Wang Blog

Leighton Meester In Vera Wang. Do you love?

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

At 10:30 a.m. this morning, April 28, 2011, Leighton Meester, face of the newest Coty fragrance from Vera Wang, was scheduled to light the Empire State Building red and white in a special ceremony in honor of tonight’s 5th Annual DKMS Gala and the Coty-DKMS Linked Against Leukemia partnership, which is celebrating it’s 20th anniversary.

As the largest and most experienced bone marrow donor center in the world, the DKMS mission is to save lives by recruiting bone marrow donors for leukemia patients. Led by CEO Bernd Beetz, the Coty-DKMS Linked Against Leukemia partnership is committed to the fight against leukemia and other blood related cancers by raising awareness of the disease and helping recruit thousands of donors around the world. To join her visit www.getswabbed.org

Leighton Meester’s Style. Leighton Meester accessorized her look with a Versace handbag at the re-opening of the Dior 57th Street Boutique in New York City on December 8, 2010. The “Gossip Girl” actress carried the Nappa Ring Bag with Fringe from Versace’s Fall/Winter 2010 Collection. This handbag is available now in Versace boutiques worldwide. Do you love?

Leighton Meester Carries a Versace Handbag

Nappa Ring Bag with Fringe from Versace’s Fall/Winter 2010 Collection

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

Gossip Girl star, Leighton Meester, shopped at Chicago’s premier shopping destination, Sofia Vintage at 1165 North Clark Street, Suite 400 on Friday, January 1st. 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.

Leighton in Sofia Vintage from the red carpet at The Underground (photo credit Rob Grabowski)

Leighton Meester with Sofia Vintage co-owner, Ashley Zisook

About Sofia Vintage: 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. Sofia Vintage offers a cast selection of vintage women’s pieces that can be easily mixed into any wardrobe. Some of the featured items include: Victorian lace blouses, ‘60s and ‘70s Yves Saint Laurent, Oscar De La Renta, Valentino, hippie jersey dresses, one-piece jumpsuits, ‘80s cocktail numbers, belts, jewelry, purses and hats. Sofia Vintage hasn’t forgotten about the men either—from sport coats and dinner jackets to lively western shirts, butter t-shirt, retro ties and cufflinks—Sofia Vintage has something that fits every style.

Located in the Gold Coast at 1165 N. Clark St. in Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60610. Accepts Cash, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. Store hours are Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. and open for hosted monthly parties. Visit www.sofiavintage.com  for additional information. Parking available: metered street parking, Treasure Island parking garage, and Clark/Division red line accessible.

Want to know the secret to Leighton Meester’s gorgeous red lips?  Here is the answer:

“L’Oréal Paris’ Infallible Plumping Lipgloss in Plumped Red gives me that extra little color and boost when I really want my lips to pop.” -Leighton Meester.

L’Oréal Paris’ Infallible Plumping Lipgloss in Plumped Red happens to be Marta’s favorite!! I’ve been getting so many compliments about this one. People just can’t believe you can buy this glamorous lipgloss at your local drugstore!

Fashion Designer Reem Acra twittered this the other day: “Did you watch Gossip Girl last night? Both Leighton Meester and Jessica Szohr’s characters wore my gowns! They looked fabulous!”