Style in expected places...

Sometimes, style icons come out of nowhere. And sometimes, they have always been there and yet no one really notices them until they're thrust into the spotlight. And such is the case with the stars of Gossip Girl, touted the Sex and the City of this generation (with regards to its impact on the young-adult fashion industry). Blake Lively (who plays Serena Van der Woodsen), as far as I'm concerned, could be on her way to becoming a true style queen, but thus far hasn't particularly impressed me with her safe (aka boring), California-girl fashion efforts. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure she's a lovely girl, but when it comes to style, Leighton Meester (who plays Blair Waldorf) is the real star.

Leighton is incredibly beautiful and knows how to work the red carpet.
This look on the right, Pencey mini-dress with matching while heels, is possibly one of my favourite red-carpet outfits ever.

Leighton may not always get it right (who does?), but this is not what defines a style icon. A style icon (or an icon of any kind, really) is someone who takes risks no matter the consequences. And it's this confidence that gives them that 'wow' factor, meaning a wrong step is nearly impossible.
It may be too early to tell whether or not Leightoon Meester is a full-blown style icon in-the-making, but one thing's for sure: as her star continues to rise, her style cred will surely rise with it.

Many of you noted that one of the things you would like to see more of on this blog was magazine editorial coverage. Recently I came across a particularly dazzling, little photoshoot from this month's Russh magazine, which I thought beautiful enough to share with my equally beautiful readers. Enjoy!

Oh and please don't forget to cast you vote(s) in this month's poll on the right hand side of the page.
Catch.

Romany

[photos courtesy of people.com, leightonmeester.us, gettyimages.com and myspace.com/russhmagazine]