Not only is Hilary Duff joining the cast of Gossip Girl as a “movie star who enrolls at NYU“ this coming season but she has also be tapped by DKNY as the new spokesmodel for their Femme by DKNY line. Apparently, the line features DKNY‘s trademark jeans but, for some reason, Hil D. just can’t seem to let her fascination with leggings die the painful death they deserve:

We first got a sneak peek of Hilary Duff’s Femme for DKNY Jeans line when Gossip Girl co-star Jessica Szohr turned up at a Louis Vuitton party sporting a $59 floral cardigan from the collection, and now, the ads are out. Hilary stars alongside models Sophie Srej and Gracie Carvalho in a New York City street-inspired ad campaign. Combining Hilary’s personal style and the individuality of New Yorkers — the inspiration behind her designs — the Femme for DKNY Jeans fall ‘09 ads were shot on the Manhattan streets by Scott Schuman, best known for his street style blog The Sartorialist. With Hilary joining the cast of Gossip Girl this fall, we couldn’t think of a better theme than the gritty and glam streets of New York for her latest design venture.

Um, I don’t know that the “individuality of New Yorkers” can really be expressed in a line of clothing designed from inspirations gleaned from the ex-Lizzie Maguire but … good for her for making the effort! I’m sure these new threads will be flying off the shelves … especially if any of them get featured on upcoming eps of Gossip Girl. And suddenly, Hilary‘s decision to join the show makes much more sense. At least she, unlike some of her poptart contemporaries with their own lines of clothing, has got a more respectable design house behind her. Will any of YOU be wearing Femme by DKNY this season?

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