The incredibly talented stylist that helps to bring our favorite Upper East Siders to life, Eric Daman has written a book on what else? Style and clothing! He is part of what makes Gossip Girl so amazing, and has decided to impart his wisdom and incredible fashion sense on us.

He gives advice on everything from how to go from frumpy to fab, with just one embellished cardigan, to secrets on how to get Serena’s effortless sexy style. Tips on how to channel Vanessa’s boho-chic look are also included. One of the style icons of the show, Leighton Meester wrote the forward of his book, and explained how Eric’s magic works on the set.

You can get copies of You Know You Want It at your local bookstore, Barnes and Noble, or Borders. The book is set to be released December 15th, 2009.

This irresistible off-white coat from Escada is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Check out the version shown on the Escada runway (Fall/Winter 2009) with the collar turned up. We tagged a similar coat (which is probably more affordable anyway) on Shopgossipgirl (click here).

Now look at Serena’s cape-like white coat. It took me a while to find out who makes this coat: Blugirl (which is one of the brands of Blumarine, whose clothes and accessories are designed by Anna Molinari.

Here’s the catwalk version.

Finally, Lily’s Valentino (Red) 3/4 sleeve jeweled coat is stunning. We tagged this on ShopGossipGirl so you can buy it online (click here).

So can someone tell me where to buy the Blugirl and Escada coats, preferably online?

However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t any room for those of the not-so-recognizable variety. Eric Daman has as much interest in famous names as he does with more under-the-radar designers and makes sure to mix the two groups in flawless fashion.

In “The Treasure of Serena Madre”, Blair wore a simply irresistable little tribal printed party dress to Thanksgiving dinner (the jury is still out on its appropriateness for the occassion).  Designed by fairly unknown designer Sariah Carson, it features a scribbly floral pattern against a sienna brown background, deep v-neckline and extra short ballerina-style skirt.  The dress itself is not available for sale online, but get a similar version by Anthropologie and then check out the SariahNYC website for more goodies.

With Vanessa, it’s all about the accessories and Gemma Redux is a favorite.  Crafted by former mechanical engineer Rachel Dooley, the collection mixes chain hardware, quartz nuggets, and vintage cast-offs which all magically come together to form pieces that appeal to those who want their wearables to be one-of-a-kind (or at least appear that way). Below, Vanessa models the Anne Petrified Wood Necklace.

And no matter what Blair says, headbands will always be a “Gossip Girl” tradition.  Here, Olivia is wearing the Midnight Gems soft band  from True Birds.  Run by the Los Angeles-based Palmer sisters, True Birds is a hobby-turned-business specializing in hand-sewn headbands and fabric bracelets decked out in sequins, gemstones, and crystal embellishments.  Fittingly, Olivia wore the spangled band as part of her 20’s-era costume, but it would fit  just as well into you holiday ensemble and beyond.

Adam Lippes that is. This week’s Gossip Girl episode “Treasure of Serena Madre” featured a gorgeous double breasted embroidered felt pea coat. Serena wears the coat when she is going to Trip’s office and in the park when she is having a heart-to-heart chat with Nate. She wears the coat unbuttoned, which I prefer, because it shows off the collar embellishment. It is perfect item to glam up a work outfit, or to show off a great pair of leggings when you head out for the night.

ADAM has a flagship store in New York City and additional stores in Buffalo and Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. If you do not live in the Northeast, don’t worry, you can purchase items online at http://www.shopadam.com .

Now, you’ve got a chance to win one of their bags for your very own and all you have to do is dress Blake Lively.

Wha?

Closet Couture and Be & D have teamed up to give away one Woodstock Hobo to whomever most creatively dresses Miss Blake. Make outfits for the digitalized actress using their bags, shoes and accessories.  It’s the next best thing to being Eric Daman’s assistant.

 To enter just visit Closet Couture for more details and a chance to win. The contest ends December 1.

Not to be outdone, our favorite Upper East Side bad girl lit up the red carpet in a black leather mini dress. Last night Leighton Meester was at the launch of American Eagle’s new flagship store. She wore the cut out black dress with red lipstick and purple vampire looking eye shadow/ makeup. She also treated guests to a performance of her new single, “Somebody to Love” with her co stars Michelle Trachtenberg and Jessica Szhor in the audience. I wonder if that would ever happen on an episode of Gossip Girl?

Chanel two-tone lambskin bag

I love the two-tone Chanel lambskin bag that Blair was wearing in “The Last Days of Disco Stick” (Season 3, Episode 10). Unlike Chanel’s other handbags, which I find old-fashioned and uninteresting, this one looks modern and right on a young woman. It is a reinterpretation of the Chanel flap bag, in black and white, with the interlaced chain. The size is not too large either: 10 inches by 6 inches by 2.5 inches. It has a pocket for your mobile phone too.

You can get the bag at a Chanel boutique or you can go to ShopGossipGirl.com for a similar bag. The original is much better in quality and workmanship (don’t say I did not warn you). See ShopGossipgirl screenshot below.

Shopgossipgirl.com: Chanel bag worn by Blair

A San Francisco-based startup called Utvee is trying solve [the problem of people avoiding advertisements] by marrying product placement with user tagging in TV shows. They launched a proof of concept a few weeks ago at ShopGossipGirl.com that highlights what the TV show’s stars are wearing when they’re on-screen. Utvee has hired taggers to identify the clothing and attach links to online stores, although founder Arnon Kohavi says in the future Utvee may split affiliate fees with users who step up and tag clothes and accessories correctly. (Utvee earns a cut of revenue every time a viewer buys a product through finding it on the site.)

Read the entire piece:

Where did she get that coat? Utvee turns tagging TV shows into revenue

While most fashion magazines focus on the clothes worn by the younger characters on Gossip Girl – Serena, Blair, Vanessa – I happen to like Lily’s style. She always looks so pulled together and elegant. She seems to have a collection of Hermes bags, notably a black Kelly handbag in season 1; an ostrich Birkin (see above) in season 2, episode 13 (O Brother, Where Bart Thou?); and more recently, in season 3, episode 4 (Dan de Fleurette). The bags we point to on Shop Gossip Girl are replicas, which are more affordable given that the real Hermes bags cost over $10,000.

Still, there’s nothing like an original Hermes bag.

The prices: $12,000 (smallest leather version) to $75,000 (crocodile). You can go to the Hermes store to buy it and deal with their fabled waiting lists or you can order from CreateursDeLuxe.com.

No cheap knock-offs for me. I like the real thing and this Dior Granville tote worn by Serena in Season 3, Episode 9 (”They Shoot Humphreys, Don’t They”) is gorgeous, a total must-have. In fact, it has been seen on the arms of Demi Moore last September in New York City. The problem is where to find it. Saks Fifth Avenue used to carry it, but when you search for it on the Saks site, it has vanished. I guess the only place to get it now is at Luxe-Gifts.com.