Style Icon: Blake Lively
If you ever want something badly, let it go. If it comes back to you, it’s yours forever. If it doesn’t, then it was never yours to begin with.
- Blake Lively
It’s not every day a Hollywood starlet captivates some of the biggest names in fashion. With her effortless good looks and enviable fashion sense Blake Lively has become that starlet. We all watched her in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and were astounded by this beautiful California girl, but she truly got our attention as Serena van der Woodsen on Gossip Girl. Despite her success playing these characters what is admirable about Lively is her willingness to take on roles outside of her comfort zone, roles that challenge her as an actress. Making the difficult transition from prime time television to full feature films, Lively has broken out to become a bonafide movie star. Acclaimed roles in The Town and this summer’s Savages put her opposite some of the most celebrated actors of our time and not only did she hold her own, she stunned audiences with her performances.
There is no denying that at just twenty-four years old Lively has also become a full-fledged fashion icon. A few years ago while filming Gossip Girl in Paris she was invited by Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour to attend the couture shows with her. That invitation opened doors for her most industry insiders only dream of. She became fast friends with designers Karl Lagerfeld and Christian Louboutin, the later naming one of his iconic stilettos after her when she exclaimed how much she loved them. Lively has famously said that she does not use a personal stylist and in today’s world where everything a celebrity wears is analyzed, that is almost unheard of. But she has also admitted to snapping photos of her outfits and sending them to Louboutin for opinions on what shoes to wear. When you can text Christian Louboutin you do not really need a stylist, do you?
Since Lively has the good sense to know what looks good on her and how to dress for her body type, she seldom shows up to an event where she disappoints the fashion faithful. Case in point, the Savages premiere last month in Los Angeles. Lively stepped out in a gorgeous couture gown by Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad. Nude with a black geometric overlay and paired with side-swept curls and bold red lips, her look was very old Hollywood with a modern edge. Attending the Met Gala in 2009, she made everyone’s jaw drop when she showed up on the red carpet in a teal Versace gown that boasted both a plunging neckline and a thigh-high slit. She carefully managed the daring display of skin to wow everyone in attendance that night.
To show that gowns are not the only way to wow a crowd, Lively is also very fond of bold colored pantsuits. Most recently she wore a vivid tomato red Michel Kors to promote her latest film on Good Morning America. Back in November she was seen in an electric blue version designed by Elie Saab. The classic look of a pantsuit taken to the next level in a brilliant color has been a trend for the past few years, and Lively shows just how well she can work the look.
While Lively has not come out to support any one charity, she instead lends her support to several causes that she believes in. One charity she has lent her time to is Oxfam America, an international relief and development organization. As an avid foodie and with one hundred percent of the proceeds going to Oxfam, Lively developed a specialty cupcake to be sold as Sprinkles bakery. Last year in the wake of the tragic Japanese Tsunami, she designed a t-shirt for Japanese retailer Uniqlo to raise money for aid along with fellow actress Gwyneth Paltrow and designer Victoria Beckham.
So far Lively has been our youngest Style Icon, but her persona makes her wise beyond her years. She is someone who appreciates the luxuries she has been afforded in life and seeks to live the best life she can, but also a young woman who is willing to lend her time to give back. She has wisdom from being in the film and entertainment industries for several years but the youthful desire to never stop challenging herself and learning new things. That combination of desire, determination and passion proves that her undoubtedly successful journey has only just begun. 
