Fashion Crush: Gillian Zinser

February 18, 2012

Fashion Crush: Gillian Zinser

Picture taken from 'Elle and the Coveteur: Gillian Zinser'

My latest fashion crush is Californian girl and 90210 actress, Gillian Zinser. Known for her appearances as Ivy Sullivan, Gillian carries off a totally noteworthy style, on-screen and off. From vintage tees to distressed leather, colourful maxi skirts to leopard print, Gillian has a wardrobe I am definitely coveting. The way she mixes her cali chick laidback aesthetic- a kind of Sienna Millar-inspired boho-chic look combined with the polished style of an off-duty supermodel- with an essence of indie/rocker girl, makes for one amazing, trend-setting wardrobe. Whichever word you choose to define Gillian's look, one thing's for sure- she is the epitome of cool. Having been raised in NYC, this definitely lends a haute vibe to her dress sense, a style that blends with her quirky, boho look to create what I would call 'hippy haute'. She is able to mix and match totally different colours and textures to put together outfits that are effortlessly stylish, ingenius and utterly unique. Hats are undeniably a key accessory in her wardrobe, from bowlers to fedoras to trilbys; she adds them to nearly every outfit in such an enviably cool way it almost hurts! She has an obvious taste for vintage stores, beaten up boots, funky jewellery and tomboyish pieces of clothing- in an interview in Genlux magazine's Winter 2011 issue, she described her style as 'cowgirl meets pirate'. Her offbeat pick of accessories contribute to the youthful quirkiness of her style. When asked in Genlux, which designer she would wear head to toe, she listed Chloe, Acne, The Row, Kimberly Ovitz and Alexander Wang as her preferred labels, though she also bigged up Topshop as her favourite low-price secret weapon store! Definitely a girl after my own heart. The thing I love most about Gillian is that she can throw on jeans and a battered-looking t-shirt with a slick of red lippy, and look ready to hit the town. She is also not afraid to be playful and have fun with clothes! From her gorgeous surfy waves to her expansive hat collection, she exudes that natural beauty, fab style and confidence that every girl desires-I so want to be this girl!

Hats are a girl's best friend in the case of Gillian- part of her collection,
as seen in Elle and the Coveteur: Gillian Zinser

Who else could pull off a sequinned bandana?!

At the Forevermark and Instyle Beauty and Brilliance event at Bar Nineteen, January 2012, Gillian wore this bold printed maxi dress with a feminine lace bustier top, adding hippy jewellery of vintage jewels and a long chain to compliment the lovely, flattering frock.

This is one of my favourite looks from Gillian's wardrobe- attending the NYLON and Express December/January 2011 issue event at The Writer's Room, Gillian opted for a mix of black, denim and leopard print. The result: this incredible cool-casual look. The denim shirt is a must-have for spring/summer for creating a laidback vibe, and every girl should funk up their wardrobe with a dash of print. The simple black wedges, pendant necklaces and pretty topknot finish off the uber-cool look.

At a CBS and CW Premiere party in LA last year, Gillian rocked the red-runway in another relaxed but stylish ensemble- I love the colour mix in her girly metallic skirt, teamed with a more tomboyish khaki unbuttoned shirt. She accessorizes perfectly to tie the look together- adding a velvet-banded trilby, black wedge boots and a bold leopard print chain purse.

Here's how to dress for summer. At the 2011 Hurley Walk the Walk National Championship at the US Open of Surfing, Gillian embraced her cali roots and channelled this super-cool beach look of a tied navy and pink checked shirt, orange bikini top and denim cut-offs. She toughened up the outfit with piratey black ankle boots, a brown leather shoulder bag and a blue bandana. I love!

For another day on Huntington beach, Gillian wore a Guns 'n' Roses vest with another khaki oversized shirt over the top, paired with mussed up surfer waves, beaded bracelets, rings and more necklaces to create a cool grunge look.

To the opening of a Louis Vuitton store in Santa Monica to benefit 'Heal the Bay', August 2010, Gillian opted for a flowing black maxi skirt with a waist-cinching satin waistband, paired with a tied up green checked shirt. The two pieces work surpringly well together to create an effortless glam look and again, I adore her bun hairstyle, which accentuates her gorgeous facial features!

Gillian walks her adorable dog on the set of 90210 wearing one of her trademark hippy maxi frocks- I love the soft print and feminine colours. She looks every inch the californian girl with her tumbling blonde waves and sunnies, but she adds a unique Gillian edge with her black slouchy boots.

Another of my favourite looks- Gillian channels her inner rock chick wearing an oversized vintage band tee over an embellished black mini and adding velvet ankle boots, a brown fedora and bag and lots of quirky jewellery.

Gillian paired a vintage leather jacket with a bohemian-feel, bright, tie-dye, maxi dress to create this gorgeous yet unusual outfit. The dress is really different and cool, but the leather jacket makes it even cooler! I alos love how she matched her orange hued lippy exactly to the colours in the dress.