Meester’s beginnings are far removed from the privileged upbringing of her on screen character. She was born in Fort Worth, Texas, while her mother was serving time in a federal prison for her involvement in a drug ring. Despite the rocky and unconventional start, once her family moved to New York City, Meester’s career and her relationship with the fashion world started to take off.

Meester attended the Professional Children’s School and also began working as a model, appearing in a campaign for Ralph Lauren shot by fashion photographer par excellànce Bruce Weber and with then photographer Sofia Coppola. At 14, after sealing many successes in New York, Meester moved to LA to follow her starry path in Hollywood.

Following her television debut in 1999, Meester appeared as a guest in many series, including CSI Miami, House MD, as well as some bigger movie roles. In 2007, came her big breakthrough when she was cast as Blair Waldorf in Gossip Girl. The show is based on the book series by Cecily von Ziegesar about the lives of New York’s' privileged Upper East Side young adults. Her performance is the most critically acclaimed of the show, with Blair being cited as the series' breakout character, and also gathering much media recognition due to her wardrobe.

  Leighton Meester in Dolce&Gabbana FW11

Meester’s character in Gosspi Girl is an overachieving, ambitious Park Avenue IT girl. Blair’s wardrobe is said to inspired by style icons such as Audrey Hepburn and Anna Wintour. Meester’s on screen wardrobe often comprises of collegiate-chic ensembles of skirts and shirts, bon ton dresses or extremely glamorous evening wear. Blair’s luscious brown locks are often tamed with headbands, and her on screen character is credited with the resurgence of the headband in popular fashion.

Meester’s style when impersonating Blair has also helped the actress gain legitimacy within the fashion world, and now her own outfits being scrutinized and reported upon as much as Blair’s. In addition, off screed, Meester has collaborated with a wide variety of internationally renowned fashion houses. From Missoni to Bulgari through to Reebok and Herbal Essences Shampoo, Meester is a regular in fashion spreads.

A picture of Leighton Meester in D&G SS11 uploaded on her Twitter.

Gossip Girl is such a fashion phenomenon that American fashion label, Romeo&Juliet Couture has partnered with Warner Bros and has launched a Gossip Girl fashion collection on September 26^th, to coincide with the airing of season 5. The collection sells clothing, at affordable prices, inspired by the outfits worn by Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen on the show.

Series 5 sees Blair trying to organise sumptuous royal nuptials following her engagement to Prince Louis Grimaldi. We’ll be intently following her struggles and reliving through Gossip Girl the excitement of recent real-life royal fairy tales.

Written by: Valentina Zannoni