Raiders of the Lost Art - Part 1 of 2 - Les Femmes

Chuck and Nate recruit a bored Blair into their Diana takedown and exposé of Who Chuck's Real Father Is.  As always on Gossip Girl, the answer is less of a surprise than startled wonderment at the gaping black hole that has suddenly ripped the plot wide open.  Serena, très sad that Dan has picked Blair, is losing herself in the role of a lifetime:  Gossip Girl.  Lola, determined to prove she's the only Van der Woodsen who plays at being other people, works with Nate to force Serena to give up the Gossip Girl ghost.  Meanwhile, Rufus (as usual) gives terrible advice to his son, who misuses it and turns into a crazyperson who gives up an opportunity to write for the summer in Rome to stay at home in New York to stalk Blair and her friends (okay, mostly just Chuck).

I've got to give the edge this episode to the females.  It's not every day that one character is able to lose themselves so completely in a sartorial role.  And no, I'm not talking Serena as Gossip Girl but rather, Blair as Diana Payne.  Scarily eerie and nearly meta.  Blair, too, has noticed our Brit's appreciation for tighter-than-necessary garments.

But first, let's start with another of Blair's silken robes.



Lesley-Anne nailed it in her mini-recap when she said that this is some of the worst color-blocking.  I'll add that the strange ombre effect doesn't help its cause at all.  Really, Blair, we know you are better than this.

Love this coat.  The woven blue fabric has awesome visual texture and the blue suits her so well.

Of course, it doesn't suit her quite as well as this blue, but then what would?

Brava, Miss Blair.  You just swiped the crown of Tightest Dress Worn on GG Ever.  Diana is no doubt seething over this travesty.  Seriously, though, she looks awesome.  If dressing like someone else is what it takes to get Blair back to her bombshell outfits, then I'll happily take one masquerade after another.

More Casadei...

Love the idea of the bag, not so much the color.  Puke green is not your friend, Blair.

But this gorgeous khaki trench is so sumptuous and lovely on her, I'll forgive the unfortunate bag.

As for Blair's doppelganger this episode, Diana is still strapping herself into the same old frocks.



I guess if I looked this good at Elizabeth Hurley's age, I'd want to flaunt it too.

Her magenta assymetrical sheath was a slight improvement, but maybe that was only because she was dressing as her real self, India-the-sex-ring-operator.

Last week, I anointed Lola the new Vanessa-in-training.  She slightly redeemed herself this episode.



This is actually a rather sweet, flattering combination on her.  The pink suits her peaches and cream complexion and the textured white tank worn underneath adds interest.  Plus, her hair and earrings are gorgeous, highlighting her amazing cheekbones.

I don't like this coat quite as much, but that is a pretty great scarf she pairs with it.

At India/Diana's mysterious sex party, Lola evolves into one of the waitresses, donning a sexy black dress.



It's very simple, but maybe Lola has finally figured out that the sleeker styles are better suited to her.  Plus, she is rocking that black like nobody's business.

Serena, her half-sister (does anybody else find it immensely amusing how many times Lola and Serena correct those around them who mistakenly identify them as sisters), tries really hard this episode.

Oh, who am I kidding.  She tries this hard every episode.



Blair, you need to borrow this lovely watercolor floral nightwear from your best friend.  It makes Serena look good, which means that it'll look awesome on you.

This dress is . . .problematic.

Serena can't really pull off an innocent, ruffled dresses.  It just doesn't work.  Plus, this looks like it's about a size too small for her frame.



Okay, more like two sizes.  Seriously, black tights or no, that is just way too short for tromping around the city, pretending to be Gossip Girl.  Love your coat though!



Oh, and your scarf too.  That pattern is killer.

Unfortunately, Serena hasn't learned Lola's lesson, and clutters up her black dress with an ugly necklace.



The better to draw attention to her cleavage, of course.  Nevermind that this is a sex-party and the men there aren't exactly going to miss it.

Alessandra, Dan's editor, injects a little realism into Gossip Girl daily life.



It's almost apporpriate for real office wear.  Of course, those sleeves would drive anybody crazy by the end of the day, but cute slacks, and her hair is lovely. She clearly comes from another, non-UES world.

Comments

[Lucy]

I think it´s not khaki trench, it´s beige...