Coming up like a flower

A few weeks ago, I wrote about my all time favourite style idols. While flipping through a recent Life & Style issue today, I was inspired to discuss my top choices for up and coming stylistas. Here's a rundown, in no particular order, of who I think you should keep your eye on in 2008:

Photo courtesy of Evil Beet Gossip

Perhaps life is imitating art for Blake Lively who stars as fashion forward ‘It Girl’ Serena van der Woodsen on the hit show Gossip Girl. Blake is on the fast-track to becoming a real life style icon in her own right. She is equal parts quirky and sophisticated. I think she always looks fabulous. Blake counts Audrey Hepburn, Kate Moss and Sienna Miller among her style idols. I think she's created a look that's all her own and will undoubtedly be much copied in years to come.

Photo courtesy of People.com

Kate Middleton is classic but still fresh. She likes trim, tailored clothes or wrap-dresses by Diane Von Furstenberg, which are figure-hugging but never too tight; the occasional, plunge-neck halter-dress by BCBG for special occasions. And she is not afraid to wear serious statement hats, as she showed with the black, asymmetric, big-brim ‘topper’ which she wore with a scarlet, tailored coat, to the Sovereign’s Parade at Sandhurst in December. The stretchy, knee-length skirt and stretch boots which flatter her long legs have become something of typical look for the young sometime girlfriend of Prince William. Miss Middleton's eye for style is clear. Not surprisingly she worked in the industry as an accessory buyer at Jigsaw headquarters in Kew.

Photo courtesy of PopSugar

Hilary Duff's style has gone both ways over the last few years, if you ask me. That's to be expected, I suppose, considering that she has literally grown up before our eyes. In the last year, I think Hilary has really come into her own. She's matured as a woman and her style has reflected that. Her look is refreshingly simple. Her staples are skinny jeans and Loubutins. I'm liking her outfits more and more all the time. She mixes high end with affordable and vintage pieces to perfection.


Photo courtesy of Pink and Pistachio

Whitney Port is my favourite cast member on MTV's The Hills. Amid the sea of cat fights, drunken nights at Les Duex and frosted-tips-donning dudes that populate the highly addictive reality show, I've always found that Whitney Port has stood out as a solid presence. She is somebody who absolutely loves fashion and it shows. She's not afraid to try something different or to attempt to pull something off...she's figured out that the secret to pulling anything off is having confidence. Whether dressed to the nines on the red carpet or casually working out with her trainer, Whitney always looks amazing.

Photo courtesy of Just Jared

Hayden Panettiere is young and beautiful. Her clothes are always adorable, her looks impeccably put together and her makeup is always flawless. Known for taking it up a notch with her glamourous sophistication, I think that Hayden has certainly set herself apart from other girls her age. Dooney and Bourke recently asked her to help design and advertise its Hayden bag. Although a common complaint about Hayden is that she sometimes dresses a little too mature for her age, I think she often brings the flair of youth to her style with fun accessories. She has become quite a lovely little lady.