Blake Lively has resurfaced on the New York party circuit.
The “Gossip Girl” alum, 39, marked her return to the spotlight at a holiday jewelry launch on Manhattan’s Upper East Side last week, stepping out in a vintage Chanel minidress that originally walked the runway on supermodel Christy Turlington in the 1990s. The navy sequined piece was designed by Karl Lagerfeld for the house’s fall/winter 1994 collection and featured a strapless silhouette anchored by two oversized black satin bows across the torso.
Lively assembled the look to celebrate friend and jeweler Brent Neale, whose latest holiday collection she was supporting at the UES fête. For accessories, she selected $38,850 diamond-covered bow earrings from Neale’s own line, paired with clear PVC Christian Louboutin heels finished with black toe caps and ankle straps. She carried a black Chanel bag valued at $6,400.
The original Lagerfeld design had included a lace ruffle and camellia flower brooch, elements that were removed from Lively’s version. The complete archival dress is currently listed on luxury resale platform 1stDibs for $10,300. Actress Lily-Rose Depp had previously worn the full original set, ruffle and brooch included, to the “Idol” premiere in Cannes in 2023.
The evening out represents a notable re-emergence for Lively, who has largely withdrawn from public life in recent months amid ongoing legal proceedings. She made one prior brief appearance at the World Cup this past July, though that outing called for a far more casual wardrobe suited to the outdoor sporting venue.
Earlier this year, Lively had generated headlines with her attendance at the Met Gala in May, an appearance she made just hours after settling her court case with actor-director Justin Baldoni. For that occasion, she carried a bedazzled bag decorated with her children’s artwork, keeping the sparkle theme consistent even at one of fashion’s most scrutinized events.
The Neale jewelry launch marks her first prominent New York social appearance since that May gala, signaling what appears to be a measured return to the city’s event circuit. The choice of a vintage archival piece rather than current-season fashion also aligns with Lively’s established reputation for mining fashion history, a tendency she has demonstrated throughout her public life.
The legal matter that has occupied much of her recent attention involved her “It Ends With Us” co-star Baldoni, with whom she reached a settlement following a highly publicized dispute related to their film collaboration. The case had generated extensive coverage and had contributed to her reduced visibility at industry and social functions during the intervening months.
Lively’s husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, was not reported to have accompanied her to the Upper East Side gathering, which was characterized in coverage as a girls’ night out centered on supporting a friend’s professional milestone. The event itself was held to showcase Neale’s holiday offerings, with Lively’s presence and her selection of the designer’s earrings serving as a prominent endorsement.
The PVC Louboutin heels she selected have become something of a signature silhouette for the actress, who has worn similar clear-strapped styles at multiple public appearances over the years. The combination of vintage couture and contemporary accessories created a look that bridged decades of fashion history while maintaining a current social-season relevance.
Lively is expected to maintain a limited but selective public schedule through the remainder of the holiday season as she continues to navigate her professional commitments alongside her ongoing legal matters.