Mostly known for her starring role as Blair Waldorf on the television series ‘Gossip Girl’ with Blake Lively, Leighton Meester has also appeared in the films Killer Movie (2008), Country Strong (2010), The Roommate (2011), Monte Carlo (2011), The Oranges (2011), and The Judge (2014).
Leighton Meester dazzles in a green embellished mini dress while Blake Lively stuns in a vibrant yellow belted dress, both paired with chic strappy heels at a CW event (Credit: INFphoto)
While not enemies, Blake Lively and Leighton never developed a close friendship on the set of Gossip Girl as they are very different.
“Blake is very much in the moment,” television producer and screenwriter Joshua Safran told Vanity Fair in 2017.
“Blake knows what’s happening. She knows this movie’s coming out, this band is happening. Leighton [on the other hand] was very removed and very quiet, and, after her scenes were done, she would wander the stage. I had this image of her just in these gorgeous dresses with a book in her hand, sort of a little bit out of focus out in the corners.”
“Blake and Leighton were not friends,” Safran continued. “They were friendly, but they were not friends like Serena and Blair. Yet the second they’d be on set together, it’s as if they were.”
Leighton Meester and Blake Lively are spotted filming a scene for “Gossip Girl” outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art on July 13, 2009 (Credit: WENN/JDH)
In 2013, it was reported that Blake and Leighton weren’t speaking after Blake failed to congratulate Leighton on her engagement to Adam Brody.
“After something of a thaw in their relationship during the final two seasons of Gossip Girl, Leighton and Blake don’t speak anymore,” a source shared with Radar Online.
Moving from her personal dynamics, Leighton Meester has continued to capture attention with her impeccable style at various red carpet events.
In December 2010, Leighton Meester dazzled on the red carpet at the Country Strong premiere in Beverly Hills, wearing a chic Christian Dior dress paired with Pierre Hardy wedges and Cathy Waterman jewels.
Leighton Meester paraded her legs in a pink Christian Dior Spring 2011 mini dress made up of tiny ribbons at a screening of Country Strong at Mann’s Village Theater in Los Angeles on December 14, 2010 (Credit: AdMedia / WENN)
Along with her standout fashion moments, Leighton’s petite frame and stylish footwear choices have made her a fashion icon.
Leighton Meester is 5 feet 4 ½ inches (163.8 cm) tall, a touch above the average American woman’s height of about 5 feet 4 inches (162.6 cm). In terms of footwear, she wears a size 7 (US), which translates to a size 5 in the UK, 37.5 in the EU, and 23.5 in Japan.
Leighton Meester showed off her feet in Pierre Hardy ankle strap wedges (Credit: AdMedia / WENN)
This wasn’t the only time Leighton Meester impressed on the red carpet. Earlier that year, she also made a bold fashion statement at the premiere of Date Night in New York City.
Leighton Meester’s Iconic Phi Gladiator Sandals: A Fashion Statement
In April 2010, Leighton Meester attended the red carpet premiere of her new movie, ‘Date Night,’ in New York City.
Leighton Meester in a daring reptile print dress by Giambattista Valli at the NYC Premiere of ‘Date Night’ at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York on April 6, 2010 (Credit: PNP / WENN)
The ‘Gossip Girl’ actress wore what looked to be a reptile or tribal(?) printed dress (with fringe detailing on the back) created by Giambattista Valli and a pair of sexy but tough-looking strappy bootie sandals by Phi.
The look was very off-beat, edgy, and risky, something not everyone can pull off. But that’s Leighton. I’d be more surprised if she wore something conventional.
Leighton Meester in a daring reptile print dress by Giambattista Valli and Phi gladiator sandals at the ‘Date Night’ premiere, Ziegfeld Theater, NYC, April 6, 2010 (Credit: PNP / WENN)
But she does wear convention, only in other ways. She balanced the “busy-ness” of her dress and the “strappy-ness” of her tough-looking shoes by wearing natural-looking (almost bare) makeup – no smoky eye shadow, no cherry-red lipstick, and definitely no overly pink blush. Just beautiful glowing skin and a touch of rose on her lips. Even the hair was kept simple in a half pony.
I love this Leighton look…..except for the fringe details on her back. Now, let’s zoom in on the shoes, shall we?
Leighton Meester’s statement Phi bootie sandals from the 2010 Resort Collection (Credit: PNP / WENN)
This pair by Phi is from the brand’s 2010 Resort Collection. The New York-based fashion label was founded in 2003 by Susan Dell, the wife of Michael Dell (founder of Dell Computers).
The brand was known for its edgy and sophisticated designs, often blending feminine and contemporary elements. It gained recognition for its quality and unique style but ceased operations in 2009 due to economic challenges.
If you analyze the pair, it looks a little vintage, like Phi took inspiration from men’s fisherman sandals and modified and “glamofied” it to suit women and today’s trends with a few additions here and there – pointy vamp, high heels, thick platforms, and straps and buckles that go all the way up to the ankles.