Fashion inspiration: Jessica Szohr

Jessica Karen Szohr (born March 31, 1985) is an American actress. Szohr began her screen career starring on television shows such as CSI: Miami and What About Brian. She gained recognition in 2007 with her breakthrough role as Vanessa Abrams on The CW series Gossip Girl. She most recently appeared in the 2010 horror film Piranha 3D and in 2011 comedy I Don't Know How She Does It.

Szohr is of Hungarian, one quarter English, and her maternal grandmother is African-American. She was born in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, a place she describes as a "family-oriented small town". The oldest of five children, Szohr played soccer, served on the student council, and was part of the cheerleading squad while in school. She started a cleaning company with a friend, cleaning their teachers’ houses.

Jessica started modeling at age six. Her first national campaign was for Quaker Oats at age ten, and she also appeared in print ads for Kohl's department store. Subsequent modelling gigs followed, including prints for Crate & Barrel, Mountain Dew, Sears, Jockey and JanSport. Szohr graduated from Menomonee Falls High School a semester early and moved to Los Angeles with her mother at the age of 17 to pursue an acting career. She told Seventeen magazine that she "almost moved home like five times."

With her gorgeous looks and downtown style, Jessica Szohr has wooed both Nate Archibald and Dan Humphrey as Vanessa Abrams on Gossip Girl. But it's her real life romance with costar Ed Westwick that has Gossip lovers captivated.

So who made Jessica's style icon list? Jessica says, "I like Kate Moss, I like Michelle Williams. For red carpet stuff, I think Cameron Diaz looks amazing head to toe." These actresses may not seem to have much in common style wise, but according to Jessica it's their ability to personalize a look that sets them apart from the pack. Jessica says, "I feel like everytime I see what Michelle Williams has on, it looks effortless, but not like she was just 'oh i'm just going to throw this on,' but where she's not styled from head to toe. I don't like it when people are trendy from head to toe." (www.stylebistro.com)