Archive: October 2nd, 2008

Brian Ach/WireImage

Leighton Meester is doing her part to end domestic violence, taking to the runway today to raise awareness for the issue. “I think it’s an issue that everyone can take part in because it applies to everyone,” the Gossip Girl actress told reporters in N.Y.C’s Union Square. “You can be a victim or someone you love can be a victim. The more people are aware, the more it can be prevented.” Meester said as a woman, she has a special interest in the issue. “No matter who is affected by domestic violence, I take it personally, so I think it’s partly my responsibility to talk about it.” The actress donated an old pair of Stuart Weitzman shoes for Marshall’s Shop ‘Til It Stops campaign, a drive to end domestic violence. Clad in a Brian Reyes and another pair of Stuart Weitzman heels, Meester credits her hit show with her transformation into a fashionista favorite. “I adore fashion, and I really have become so much more comfortable in it lately,” she said. “Because of the show, I’ve become more aware of trends and designers, and I’m so much more comfortable dressing up and going all out now.” In between Gossip Girl and New York nightlife, Meester likes to keep it casual. “The more I do the show, the more it makes me appreciate being able to just wear jeans and a T-shirt in my daily life.” Doing good and looking good — does it get better? –Emmet Sullivan

Donato Sardella/WireImage

Former model Molly Sims will soon pull an Elle Macpherson and design her own lingerie line. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” Sims tells PEOPLE on Wednesday night at the LA launch party for Domino: The Book of Decorating. And now she finally has the means to do it on a mass level, thanks to financial backing from a company called Concepts. The Las Vegas star insists she prefers substance to flash, so bet on comfy, practical designs over tassels and frill. One print that definitely won’t make the cut: leopard. “I want it be what you wear, not what you wish you could wear,” Sims explains of the collection, which will hopefully be released for Spring 2010. “It’s what you wear every day, just a little more beautiful. It’s going to be feminine. It’s like undone-done, so it’s like a reveal-conceal,” she sums up at the poolside bash, held at the Beverly Hills home of Top Design judge Kelly Wearstler, who kept guests like Sims, Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale outside. “It’s so not done, and I’m such a freak,” the perfectionist designer says of her home. “But there will be another party,” the Domino cover girl promised. May we suggest a possible launch party for Molly’s line? – Jenny Sundel

All Access Photo Agency/Retna

Stylish singer and dad-to-be Pete Wentz wants you to know that it’s not easy looking as good as he always does. Pete opened up to PEOPLE about his hair challenges last night in Chicago, where he hosted Gen Art’s 6th Annual Fresh Faces in Fashion and sat front-row during the Windy City’s fashion week with wife Ashlee Simpson-Wentz by his side. “Here’s the thing about hair; I think most people think that I have Lego hair, like I can just take it on and off in one piece, and that’s not quite the case — although pretty close,” he said. “I refer to this [phenomenon] as Lego hair, when people think that about me.” Pete went on to joke about the importance of spending enough time making your hair look good. “I think hair is just, like, the most important thing about you,” he joked. “Besides your soul, or maybe your heart, or maybe your crotch…. Or maybe the order I just put those in says a little something about who I am,” he laughed before heading off with friends to end the night at his bar Angels & Kings.