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Monday, May 21, 2012

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"Hart of Dixie"—From City Chic to Southern Belle

When it comes to celebrity style, Rachel Bilson (aside from being interminably cute) is one of our favorites. She has a knack for putting together pieces in a fresh way and is savvy with proportions; and she can pull off a maxi dress plus blazer without overwhelming her petite frame. Now after a few stints on the silver screen, the former "The O.C." star is back this fall on a TV series. 

Hart of Dixie

Rachel Bilson starts in the new "Hart of Dixie" on the CW

The actress has teamed with the "O.C." cast mates as well as "Gossip Girl" alums, including producer of both shows Josh Schwartz, but this venture around she's focusing not on the right or left coast, but rather down South. In the new CW series, "Hart of Dixie," Bilson plays a NYC doctor ("Zoe Hart") who is shell-shocked after moving to Bluebell, Alabama. Not only does she experience some serious city-meets-country snafus, but she's also got some saucy drama with the resident  "Blue Belles" (led by "Lemon," played by the actress Jaime King).

With Bilson and former model King in the mix, just three episodes in, we're already taking notes on the stylish wardrobe. With the show's fourth episode, seductively titled "In Havoc and In Heat," premiering tonight, we snag the behind-the-scenes info from the series' costume designer Meredith Markworth-Pollack, who was Eric Daman's assistant on "Gossip Girl," on how the wardrobes came together.

Hart of Dixie: "In Havoc and In Heat" preview (via YouTube)

 

Hart of DixieThe Inside Source: Being that Rachel Bilson's character is from NYC, how did you go about building a city wardrobe?

Meredith Markworth-Pollack: It was scripted [that] she was into fashion right from the start. What’s great about her character and being from New York is that you don’t have to be "in fashion" to be fashionable there. She is savvy and chic and she doesn't really change her style for this small town. The premise is that she eventually starts to order her clothes online.

left: Meredith Markworth-Pollack


The Inside Source: What are some signatures of NYC style? I notice Bilson's character "Zoe" wears a lot of neutrals.

Meredith Markworth-Pollack: I lived in NYC for six years before I came back out to L.A.  In the winter and fall, you definitely see a lot of blacks and neutral colors in the city. Also, we wanted to juxtapose it with the Southern town’s "Blue Belles" and to keep Rachel in a minimalist palette that would have a severe contrast.

Hart of Dixie

Hart of Dixie

The Inside Source: Any key pieces that you built the character's closet around?

Meredith Markworth-Pollack: We wanted great fitted blazers, pencil skirts and silk blouses. Also, Dr. Lisa Airan was my inspiration for me for Rachel’s character because she was the epitome of what I was thinking. She’s a doctor in New York but she has these fabulous outfits and encompasses someone who is professional but is also chic.

The Inside Source: What were some lines you used for that professional chic look?

Meredith Markworth-Pollack: We looked into Alexander Wang, Helmut Lang, Chloe, L’Agence (this has been a big hit for Rachel), Timo Weiland and Reformation. It’s important to keep it current, and I love on TV to use up-and-coming designers that are eager and excited to work on the series with us. Rachel also wore the classic fashion houses like Chanel and Missoni.

Hart of Dixie

Hart of Dixie

The Inside Source: How about Jaime King's character?

Meredith Markworth-Pollack: Jaime is a former fashion model, which made it incredibly easy to make her look gorgeous. She has such a beautiful vintage Grace Kelly look, so it was an obvious choice to incorporate that into her wardrobe. She has a vintage '50s and '60s feel to her wardrobe and we stuck to long hemlines, lots of pastels and lots of high waistbands. Some of the lines we used were Marc Jacobs and Heidi Merrick. And Suno has been really great for her.

The Inside Source: Being that Zoe and Lemon face off in the series, do you think the distinct wardrobes have played a part in that?

Meredith Markworth-Pollack: The wardrobes definitely help build out these two characters. It's more than just the clothes; there’s this ideology that’s set up. Lemon is this classic timeless Southern woman with Southern standards and a classic state of mind. Zoe is this strong modern woman in leather shorts and Alexander Wang stilettos. Lemon is immediately threatened by this. No one in Bluebell wears black.

(all images courtesy of The CW)

Build a City Chic Wardrobe Like Rachel Bilson's "Zoe Hart"

Roll over items for details
Helmut Lang Cracked Leather Shorts
(buy it now price, $399.99)
L'Agence Ivory One Shoulder Dress
(buy it now price, $217)
Chanel Fringed Tweed Jacket
(buy it now price, $1,999)
Thierry Mugler Beige Linen Pencil Skirt
(buy it now price, $95)
Chloe Silk Blouse
(buy it now price, $99.99)
Alexander Wang Addison Platform Boots
(buy it now price, $479.99)

Ladylike Picks Inspired by Jaime King's "Lemon"

Marc Jacobs Tunic Mini Dress
(buy it now price, $250)
Vintage '50s Gold Brocade Dress
(buy it now price, $99.99)
Anthropologie Sweater Jacket
(buy it now price, $21)
J. Crew Pink Leather Pumps
(buy it now price, $139.99)


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d6f6cb8e-db3d-4038-bc3f-fe9ba632852f Wed, 19 Oct 2011 10:22:05 PDT Wed, 19 Oct 2011 10:22:05 PDT
Peggy Li
comment-post

I love the style on Hart of Dixie and am so proud to say that I am one of the small, independant designers the show has supported. My handmade jewelry will be seen on a few episodes of Hart of Dixie. You may see my work at my website, http://www.peggyli.com. Thank you, Meredith, for your support! Peggy

3329806c-53bb-4dac-b04c-6215c996c73b Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:30:51 PST Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:30:51 PST
V
comment-post

Can anyone tell me who the designer of the white silk slip dress Jaime King (Lemon) wears in the episode "In Havoc and in Heat" in the 2nd scene when she's in bed with George Tucker?

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