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Get the 'Gossip Girl' look

The hot TV show inspires back-to-school looks

BY ANNE BRATSKEIR | Special to Newsday

August 13, 2008

Plot, shmot. Sure, the racy goings-on at a highfalutin' Manhattan private school make for juicy TV. But it's more than lurid details that have fans religiously tuning in to the CW hit " Gossip Girl." Costume designer Eric Daman's predgy (part prep, part edgy) stylings are having a huge impact in stores as real girls go after similar looks for back-to-school, not to mention the show's second season starting Sept. 1. "The impact it has had on the market is gigantic," says Gloria Baume, fashion director of Teen Vogue. "It's amazing what it has done for fashion."

Speaking of fun, we asked Daman to translate some of his characters' looks into fall fashion. Armed with his good counsel, we got some local high school students and "Gossip Girl" fans to model back-to-school looks inspired by the show's stars.

Character Blair Waldorf (played by Leighton Meester)

Her Style: "Blair is Hollywood glamour meets Upper East Side," says Daman. "Everything is tasteful yet modern."

Signatures: Ladylike but of the moment; classic touches such as headbands, bows, peep-toe shoes and vibrant colors.

Our Girl: Leanna LeManna, 14, sophomore, Schreiber High School, Port Washington

White polo, $78; jumper, $198; and plaid coat, $598, all by Juicy Couture; Carolee pearls, $60; Tory Burch purse, $295; Enzo Angiolini peep-toes, $99, all at Bloomingdale's. Makeup: Stephanie Sidnam of Bobbi Brown.

Character Serena van der Woodsen (played by Blake Lively)

Her Style: "Like Kate Moss, she has the innate fashion sense of being able to throw on whatever is lying next to the bed and looking fabulous," says Daman.

Signatures: tiny boy jackets, skinny jeans, slinky tops, ankle boots and serpentine necklaces.

Our Girl Sarah Casey, 15, sophomore at Huntington High School

Clandestine Industries jeans, $58; Tildon sweater, $38; Kay Shannon vest, $99; belt, $58 and ankle boot, $197.95, both by MICHAEL Michael Kors; Dabby Reid necklace, $65; Marc by Marc Jacobs handbag, $558, all at Nordstrom. Makeup by Kelly Kearns, MAC Cosmetics.

Character: Jenny Humphrey (played by Taylor Momsen)

Her Style: Daman calls Jenny "our pretty-in-pink character. She's a smart girl from the other side of the tracks."

Signatures: Eclectic pairings such as knee socks and sandals, muted colors with bursts of bright, vintage looks, '70s-style accessories.

Our Girl: Olivia Civardi, 17, senior, Bay Shore High School

Free People dress, $138; Juicy Couture knee socks, $24; Marc by Marc Jacobs jacket, $248; Guess boots, $175; Betsey Johnson feather necklace, $75; charm necklace by Lucky, $32; Kooba snakeskin bag, $775, all at Bloomingdale's. Makeup by Laura D'Angelo of Bobbi Brown.

Character: Vanessa Abrams (played by Jessica Szhor)

Her Style: "Street chic - Brooklyn meets the Lower East Side," says Daman.

Signatures: layered looks, tribal prints, high-waisted pants, layers of necklaces and bangles.

Our Girl: Jessica Beltran, 16, senior, Brentwood High School

Tunic, $49, and sweater, $39, both by American Rag; leggings by Pink Rose, $19.98; scarf by Nine West, $38; shoes, Steve Madden, $109; necklaces by Lucky Brand, $92 each; all from Macy's. Makeup by Codi Barnes for MAC.