Leighton Meester always dresses interestingly, takes risks and wear unknown designers. She's very talented, works hard and comes from a unique background. Even if she stars in a teen show, I don't think she upholds that image outside of the show at all so it's very easy to separate her from it and look at her as an legitimate and fashionable talent. I think she has something different to offer, pleasing to both the "tweens" and conventional readers.
And now I feel like they should hire me to be her publicist.