Audrey Hope is one of the main characters of the show, Gossip Girl (2021) who is known for her icy exterior with a warm heart. She is the supportive friend, overachieving student, loving daughter with a troubled home life, and a fetching girlfriend with an unsound relationship with her boyfriend Aki Menzies as well as a dalliance with the group’s playboy Max Wolfe. Audrey has a penchant for the finer things life has to offer such as old glamour and dinner parties with an appreciation for the classics accompanied by contemporary taste. She’s an avid reader who relishes feminist theory and is very outspoken despite her soft conduct, possessing a strong-willed demeanor and a good head on her shoulders. She is described as possessing a certain type of grace and competence, with the self-assurance of who she is despite not being what is necessary. However, she is someone who is always thinking and wanting more because she does not think within this box.
Audrey’s fashion is the combination of classic elements, along with refinement sometimes with a dash of duality. She is always polished, refined, and sleek, yet laid-back, comfortable, and carefree with undone elements. If you’re interested in this style of dress, I have a video dedicated to curating this wardrobe type.
Another component of her aesthetic is her love of vintage pieces that pay tribute to the elegant glamour of the past, but with a subtle edge in juxtaposition alongside a hushed softness. Audrey has a realistic and romantic notion of life This is grounded within the staples of her looks such as often opting for blazers, overcoats, boots, and neckties- very structured and proper garments to create her ensembles paired with mini skirts, oversized sweaters, and often a heel, for example, a mary jane pump. Audrey has a sentimental tone, conveyed by the Cartier Love Bracelet that is always present. For instance, winter is her favorite season and she loves to stroll in the snowy Central Park, but she is an overthinker- often in her head in her own world. She often takes style cues from old-world fashion icons such as Audrey Hepburn, Jane Fonda, and Lauren Bacall. She modernizes their romance and codes of dress to suit her taste. Audrey has an unconventional side, a side that is usually hidden and surfaces in vulnerable or moments of high intensity.
The executive producer on Audrey Hope states, “When she gets dressed for the morning, it’s for herself — not for the world.” The executive producer also stated that she had a particular fondness for the fashion house of Chanel- a very telling favorite as the mission statement is to, “To be the Ultimate House of Luxury, defining style and creating desire, now and forever.” The house is synonymous with femininity, elegance, and sophistication through a Parisian lens of style. This conveys Audrey’s primary essence and the way she sees the world as well as how she prefers to present herself.
Audrey has an appreciation of fashion, an eye for it- the beauty of it,
WHAT ABOUT THIS ONE?
and how style is a combination of all that you think, feel, want, and do. She also sees how it functions and is needed in her world as a socialite.
SO I GOT YOU SOMETHING. WELL, I RENTED IT. IT’S HALSTON HERITAGE.
DID SOMEBODY DIE?
ASK YOUR CLOSET. THIS IS LIFE.
Audrey’s appearance is an extension of what she loves, who she is at this present time, and who she aspires to be. An element of this is the color scheme, though Audrey is often in her school uniform and adhering to school dress codes, even in her looks outside of class she strays away from overtly bright or saturated pieces going for more blacks, whites, and neutral tones such as beige, greys, navy, etc as the overall color scheme. The significance of this is not only that it will produce a chic and elevated image, but black is a color of sophistication, seriousness, control, and independence. Although neutrals can create a more classic look, they do indicate a lack of enthusiasm, passion, and sentiment but are timeless, versatile, and natural.
This is the imagery Audrey is drawn to the muses and captivating, strong women she admires and goes onto project this. It should be noted though that at the beginning of the show she sports pinker and Audrey’s room consists of traditionally feminine and girlish hues such as mauves and pinks. This room is more rooted in her inner life, her place of rest and refuge. Pink symbolizes sweetness, acceptance, nurturement, vulnerability, and safety. It is a color that produces a calming effect on the mind. The room is in her troubled home and is the only place that captures her girlhood. In hand this mauve adorns the room which provokes feelings of nostalgia, sentimentality, and romance. These tones both are diluted and less prominent.
This links to Audrey’s views of herself and what she believes she is in need of as she strives to navigate life while feeling the demands of what it means to be a woman, and the loss of her childhood, but also wanting to explore her sexuality. Though she has friends to confide in and a support system in her peers, she does not have someone to guide her, so often she turns to the comfort of novels.
Audrey typically has a book in hand whether it be lounging on the met steps or the courtyard at school, she isn’t just sporting a chic and preppy- by extension a look with intellectual roots, but has an authentic look. She reads compassionate and heavy classic or feminist literature outside of mainstream titles with notable literary personages that explore numerous themes on a multitude of levels. Bibliotherapy is defined as a “creative arts therapies modality that involves storytelling or the reading of specific texts with the purpose of healing. It uses an individual’s relationship to the content of books and poetry and other written words as therapy.” It is not to take the place of professional help but to complement in terms of emotional support and development of coping mechanisms.
Another psychological experience often with books is that it may be an escapist read, this may be positive or negative. According to studies, reading can be driven by a desire to break away from countless constant streams of visual information to look within oneself and delve into an experience. Reading is an art form that impacts both figuratively and biologically. This effect can be visibly seen in brain waves while you read. For example, if you are reading a book where a character is running, the areas of your brain when scanned would light up just as if you were physically running yourself.
These novels not only provide entertainment and a moment of reverie but also aid in developing insight into her own life experiences from many points of view.
Theory of Mind is defined as the ability to attribute mental states — beliefs, intents, desires, emotions, and knowledge — to ourselves and others, serving as one of the foundational elements for social interaction. The theory of the mind provides the ability to forecast and decipher life’s events. Many time Audrey’s novels explore a range of topics such as womanhood, desire, bodily autonomy, to relationships, (particularly themes of affairs), scandals, and glamorous lifestyles of decades past.
It should be noted that many of her books do not possess a focus on one sole main character, but rather an abundance of stories with a range of identities and experiences. Typically the protagonist followed in the short stories and essays, despite being the main character, will be the type of person who does not meet convention- the odd one out, but not a necessary misfit: revealing how Audrey’s sense of a path is somewhat muddled despite her uncertainties and she doesn’t feel a driving force to be the center of attention. She is grounded within herself with an ability to speak her mind and has high empathy with others whom she cares for,
DON’T WORRY ABOUT HOW IT LOOKS, DO IT FOR YOURSELF.
YOU’RE ALL ID, ALL THE TIME. AND HONESTLY- MY EGO IS JUST EXHAUSTED.
YOU KNOW, YOU CAN BE A LITTLE MORE SENSITIVE- OKAY? YOU NEVER KNOW HOW SOMEONE AT THE TABLE IDENTIFIES.
but not with herself. Hence the sudden outbursts and self-degradation, despite her high emotional intelligence that has developed through her readings. Audrey’s exploration of themes aids in her developing her worldview, but her sense of self does not shift. As the show progresses her style is very much developed prior and does not experience any changes until a drastic one in the finale, rather she shifts on her own spectrum.
Her fashion is rooted in her ideals, lifestyle demands, and aesthetic preferences. I’ve gone over the specific details such as the brands of this look in a video The Psychology of How You Dress & First Impressions a Style Analysis of the first episode. Her first outfit is polished and refined, yet very girlish. She is also spotted while reading Ornament and Silence: Essays on Women’s Lives From Edith Wharton to Germaine Greer Paperback by Kennedy Fraser- a book with compassionate insight through 14 essays on women who become invisible in relation to each other behind the talented men in front of them- exploring the subject matters of friendship, love affairs, family, and marriage.- matters that Audrey is preoccupied with.
Opposite of her girlish look, a Chanel dress code associated with elegance but a sexier take of the LBB through a Mugler Mesh-Paneled midi dress. Later in the episode, she sports a light mauve Reformation Brecken ruched ribbed stretch bodycon dress for the fashion show and when her sexual curiosity begins, and at the end of the episode is seen in another look consisting of pink. -and the novel is very telling of what is in store for Audrey.
In episode two, her uniform moment involves a Veronica beard Miller Dickey Fitted Jacket in Navy, paired with pinstripe trousers, a white button-down, and a necktie adorned with a Givenchy chain at the collar for a subtle edge to a chic look finished off with Ferragamo Viva 55 and Rantan Bag in Brown Croc. A more clean-cut yet laid-back look as things begin to look up and she feels more carefree. Here she is caring for her mother and preparing for the fundraiser that she is the social chair of where she will sport a Rosario Cutout Bow Detail Duchesse-Satin Gown with gold jewelry, a YSL Medium Uptown Croc-Embossed Patent Leather Envelope Clutch, Stuart Weitzman all in black paired with a contrasting white Alice and Olivia Bain Belted High Neck Coat and a red lip.
Always going for the classics and always chic, but as her relationship and homelife begin to spiral Audrey’s demeanor hardens slightly which is evident through not only her actions and words but also her chunky twist-knit sweater vest at the end of the episode that is grey. She sports this while reading Black Swans by Eve Babitz, this novel has a matured narrative and lifts the curtain behind the late 70s and 80s glamour in nine autobiographical short stories. Black Swans is very telling of Audrey’s self-views and social identity for example this line, “She looked mean and stylish, as if she were supposed to be beautiful and you should take her word for it. From afar, she looked a lot better than close up.”
Another novel she is spotted reading is The Days of Abandonment by Elena Ferrante, carrying a similar theme in a more raw manner, the novel explores the emptiness of a woman who abruptly leaves, ending their 15-year marriage. She is forced to confront her apparition, and loss of identity, and that her life will never be the same again. Though reading is not the antithesis of social media, Audrey’s placement in the show is that she is not too involved in social media. These books in a way are Audrey’s Gossip Girl in the sense that they are a look into different lives. Audrey is hyper-focused on womanhood, forsaken lovers, affairs, and cheating scandals- the issues of her family and romantic life.
In episode three, her outfits have overly nautical roots like this Rag and Bone Jamie Stretch Merino Wool Cropped Polo styled with Robertson Flared Sailor Trousers in Midnight Blue which visually represents safety and stability- what she longs for
OPTICALLY SPEAKING I WOULD LIKE TO AIR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION.
in fear of her relations with Max coming out as well as her relationship with Aki. Her color scheme is very neutral which can read as flesh and symbolize peace and a calm state that she wants to project, but also is linked to reliability or even boredom. Her inner state of mind is captured in her preppy and glam looks that are still polished, but her inner state is much vapider. At the end of this episode, she is again in a grey and left in a moody state longing to rekindle what she once had with Aki, regardless of the cheating.
While in a soft schoolgirl look comforted and secured by a Hilfiger Collection Color-block Letterman Cardigan, Audrey reads Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado, another novel of short stories except this time it blends psychological realism, horror, fantasy, comedy, and science fiction. The otherworldly aspect allows for the exploration of womanhood, desire, and personal autonomy in a whimsical way that is embedded in reality. Later she is with Julien and we can see her look beneath the sweater, of course, it is uniform, but very oversized and loose- not deconstructed though. It is still curated but there is a free yet insecure component. Later in that episode, she is wearing a bodycon look in a more saturated color in her poorly made attempt to make Aki jealous. Her overcoat is a darker grey at the end of the episode, communicating her complexity at this time since grey is a morally ambiguous and impartial hue due to how it falls between absolutes.
A bit of time passes and she begins to feel more hopeful. In a more regal put-together uniform look, Maison Valentino Lace Paneled Coat in Navy, Danielle Guizio Cable Knit Puff Sleeve Top, wide-legged trousers, and Wandler Lesley Leather Knee-high Boots in Cream with a Giorgio Armani Small Hand-finished Calfskin La Prima Bag in Azure in hand along with Joan Didion, The White Album- a classic piece of literature that is an examination of the 1960s figures and events. The first section only showcases one focal essay, while the other sections are divided depending on the main theme such as “Women” and “On the Morning After the Sixties”
Another read in this look is The Complete Poems by Anne Sexton. A book of poems noted to be about the truth of people’s inner lives. This book also handles topics in relation to mental illness and the tensions of womanhood. Mirroring Audrey’s position as the child-caregiver to her depressed mother, her outbursts in regard to the proposal of moving, and her developing secret inner life with Aki and Max.
Audrey is the type to wear her heart on her sleeve, though she may be read as cold and uncaring at times, she is a girl who knows herself and what she has to offer. Despite her troubled home life, relationship complications, and at times distanced friendships, she is a very grounded, emotional, and benevolent person dealing with mature issues beyond herself and does her best to grow as a person while dealing with these moments in spite of her mistakes, wrongdoings, flaws, and conflicts. Though often casting herself aside, and having “Winning is not a part of her vocabulary,” We see Audrey is evolving as a person and beginning to understand the world more through not a lens of knowledge or emotions, but through experiences and learning outside of her own head. Obviously, there is much more in store for Audrey and to come in terms of development, but from her outfits and novels in part one, we can understand her headspace throughout all these events and develop an understanding of her path as begins to follow her own motto of “do it for yourself.”
Reading Rewires Your Brain, According to Neuroscience- https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/reading-books-brain-chemistry.html Theory of Mind- https://www.simplypsychology.org/theory-of-mind.html#brain Audrey Hope Wiki- https://gossipgirl.fandom.com/wiki/Audrey_Hope Color Symbolism- https://www.sensationalcolor.com/
