Truthfully, I didn’t even know Eric Daman, Gossip Girl’s stylist/costume designer, was writing a book until I showed up at its party last night.

It’s called You Know You Want It and it’s a charming, realistic guide to style with fantastic illustrations, quotes and photographs.

Leighton Meester, who popped up in one of Marios Schwab’s 3D dresses, wrote the intro and since you probably aren’t familiar with her writing, here you go:

“Eric is more than a stylist…He’s also a psychologist, a scientist, and an artist. Simply put, he’s a genius.

“Imagine this: you’re on set, in the middle of a frenzy of activity that would make the Energizer Bunny beg for a nap. You’ve had weeks of fittings and been in and out of different looks all day, done a month’s worth of changes in an afternoon. You are getting sleeeepy…the biggest cup of coffee in the world could not rouse you. But then Eric holds up a piece of clothing, a slip of silk dangling on a hanger, and whispers, “You know you want it.” His tone hovers between sly and delighted, as if he knows he’s about to make some kind of magic. And instead of exhaustion, you feel a glimmer of excitement. Because it’s so true. You want it. You need it.”

Somewhere in fantasy world, Blair Waldorf is gasping for air.

Eric Daman, Gossip Girl’s stylist extraordinare, has taken on a side project. He’s the new consulting creative director for San Diego-based mall staple Charlotte Russe.

The retailer’s having some financial difficulties (surprise!), but instead of panicking they’re throwing all of their weight into tightening their brand strategy and targeting a slightly wider market, sixteen to twenty-nine year olds.

Daman was brought in by their new president, who happens to be a Barneys vet, to help transform the stores into something more Bendel’s than Forever 21. If anyone can do that with Charlotte Russe product, it’s probably Daman who must have a teenage girl’s brain tucked into his own.

“The idea is to make girls feel better about shopping at the mall,” he says. Does this mean we’ll finally have to go to the Manhattan Mall?

Let’s talk about Jenny’s outfits from last night, shall we? Because, in a very true to life manner, Jenny’s turned 15, picked up a huge attitude in the process, and is diligently reflecting her newfound not quite a woman self with over-the-top outfits and almost as much eyeliner as Jodie Harsh.

Her new look? A cross between Betsey Johnson, to channel that young designer vibe, and 80’s Madonna via gobs of wannabe Gothic jewelry and a new don’t-mess-with-me walk.

We love that Eric Daman goes so out of his way to reflect what the characters are up to sartorially (got to love Blair’s Communion Day white socks in thigh-high form for Chuck seduction), but gray, fishnet knee-highs? In public? At work?

Quite a jump from her polka-dot socks / headbanded curly hair / big bag swinging from her elbow days, no? But maybe, since she’s in high school, that’s what makes it so real.

—PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEREMY KOST

“I love dressing Chuck Bass (played by Ed Westwick). I think we’ve worked to make his character dress really well. I want to try and pioneer a movement where straight men dress better.” - Eric Daman, the Gossip Girl stylist, in WWD.