The original Gossip Girl inspired a generation of time-withstanding fashion trends to come, ever private school prep-centered they may be: collared tops; feminine bow ties; plaid or otherwise A-line skirts with tights; berets; and the ultimate crowd favorite, Blair Waldorf's headbands. To no surprise then, fans had high hopes for equally delectable outfits when its reboot aired in July, and with Eric Daman on board - the same costume designer who helmed the wardrobe of the initial band of Constance Billard high school teens - the appetite was naturally met.
Daman's approach is fittingly different this time around, with the now prominence of Instagram and its influential position in fashion, as well as the presently widespread conversations around sustainability and diversity in fashion that were nearly non-existent when Gossip Girl first aired in 2007. Part one of the twelve-episode season quickly revealed a costume lineup that felt noticeably more relatable (if only in aesthetic and not price range), yet no less iconic than its predecessor. With a strong kick off in early episodes (does it get any stronger than a cameo from Christopher John Rogers' Spring 2022 collection's Look 27?), and a string of knee high boots, little black dresses, and sheer gowns in the following episodes to come, part two was, of course, only expected to further turn up the heat on wardrobe as the plot for each character thickened.
Ahead, Daman gives insight to the philosophy behind the outfits of some of the show's most loved characters, and yes, discusses costuming Eleanor Waldorf's surprise appearance, too.