In Fashion by Sharon Mosley

They're TV's hottest "it" girls — Blair, Serena, Jenny and Vanessa — and they're all fashion stars on the CW Network's hit show, "Gossip Girl." Costume designer Eric Daman has done an outstanding job of making us drool over his unique approach to dressing each personality on the show every week.

But now you don't have to spend thousands of dollars on Missoni fringe tunics or Herve Leger dresses to get the latest looks of your favorite heroine. Target has teamed up with fashion designer Anna Sui to launch a collection of budget-friendly clothes inspired by the TV phenomenon of "Gossip Girl."

"Anna Sui is a fashion icon known around the world," says Trish Adams, senior vice president of Target. "Her vibrant, pop-culture-inspired collection combines vintage influences and ultimate sophistication, providing outstanding looks at a great value."

Sui has been known as a cult figure in the world of fashion since she started her funky clothing line in 1980. She is the perfect designer to create an affordable mix of bohemian glamour and classic chic that mimics the New York fashion beat of the "Gossip Girls."

"When I was in Asia last year, girls kept asking me about the different areas in New York City by referring to them as where the characters from 'Gossip Girl' live," says Sui. "The show is so fashionable; I really wanted to create a collection reflective of the four main characters."

So, what will the cheap chic versions of our favorite school-girls be wearing this fall? Here's what all the fashion gossip is about:

— If you like the classic, upper-crust girly looks of Blair, you'll love Sui's take on dresses: sheer dot jacquard tunics over leggings, metallic shifts in geometric prints and a stunning "tablecloth" lace dress with a velvet bow at the neck (a great deal at $69.99).

— Style tip: When wearing dresses, keep the shape classic. The '60s style shift dress is making a big comeback and looks fresh in new fabrics and bold prints.

And if you want to tone down the "ladylike" look, dress the shift down with flats, tights and boots.

— Jenny (my personal favorite) rocks in her grown-up spirited style with hooded jackets, bohemian-print dresses, tie-front tops and short zipper skirts teamed with punky leggings sprinkled with cutout holes. Sui also channels a vintage rock star in a silk off-the-shoulder striped dress inspired by Jenny.

— Style tip: Be comfortable and express yourself this fall with prints! Metallic jacquards, houndstooth plaids, stripes, paisleys and herringbone patterns provide plenty of rich possibilities.

— Vanessa's downtown tough chic personality is mirrored in colorful puffy vests, printed empire dresses, ruffled tops, jacquard skirts and intarsia zip-front cardigans tossed over silk, printed wrap dresses.

— Style tip: This fall, a chubby vest is one of the best layering pieces you can add to your wardrobe. In fur (both real and faux) or quilted styles, you can throw them over jeans and T-shirts, or get very "downtown" and toss them over a cocktail dress.

— If Serena is your fashion muse, then you'll be inspired by the "mix" of vintage-inspired pieces with ladylike Upper East Side polish in Sui's collection. Black leather jackets are teamed with satin striped shift dresses; a metallic boucle dress is trimmed with sequin feather; a cropped, black-and-gray plaid vest is layered over a longer black lace T-shirt and paired with plaid, cropped riding pants.

— Style tip: It's all about mixing textures this fall. Try leather with silk or satin, velvet with denim, lace with plaids or sequins with tweeds. Give your old basics new life a la Serena by throwing in a little different twist with another unexpected item.

Sharon Mosley is a former fashion editor of the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock and executive director of the Fashion Editors and Reporters Association. To find out more about Sharon Mosley and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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