Blake Lively: The new face of fashion

Gossip Girl and style icon Blake Lively has been taking the fashion world by storm after the ad campaign for her Chanel debut was released this week.

The release of the ad was cleverly timed to coincide with the Chanel Autumn/Winter 2011 show that took place today in Paris, and sees the 23-year-old showcasing the new Mademoiselle handbag.

Looking sensational in a luxe black feathered dress, the ad displays Blake posing up against a split mirror with the gorgeous quilted masterpiece over her shoulder. And to add an extra touch of glamour, Chanel’s head designer Karl Lagerfield shot the campaign himself.

Appearing in Gossip Girl since 2007, Blake has been parading around in designer couture for quite some time now. Rubbing shoulders with designers on a daily basis, it’s no surprise that the young star has already managed to make a name for herself in the industry. It was only last year that Christian Louboutin described Blake as his ‘muse’ after naming one of his legendary shoes after her.

Despite all of this success, the actress has made it no secret that she’s been hoping to score a Chanel campaign for some time.

In a recent interview with the New York Times,  Blake told them: 'I had other opportunities and I would say, “Thank you so much, but I am holding out for Chanel. That's who I want to be the face of”’.

'And people would say, "Well that's unrealistic, they only hire Europeans," and I said: "Well how great. I'll be the first then."'

With an international ad campaign already under her belt, I’m sure it won’t be long before Blake is fashion’s hottest style icon. Already in high demand, designers will have to form an orderly queue if they want to see this young actress strut her stuff down their runways any time soon.

Watch Chanel's Autumn/Winter 2011 show below.