Blake Lively at The Angel Ball – New York City, 2009 • CelebMafia

Blake Lively brought architectural elegance to the 2009 Angel Ball in NYC, wearing a sculptural black peplum dress that fused Gossip Girl glam with red carpet restraint.

On October 20, 2009, Blake Lively arrived at Cipriani Wall Street for the Angel Ball—a charity gala hosted by Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research—with a look that was equal parts power and polish. At the time, Lively was deep into her Gossip Girl reign, but this appearance marked a shift: less Serena van der Woodsen sparkle, more fashion-forward edge.

Her dress? A black, long-sleeved number with a sharply structured peplum that jutted from the waist like origami armor. It was a bold silhouette—cinched, sculptural, and unapologetically editorial. The neckline was modest, the hemline just above the knee, but the overall effect was anything but safe. It felt like Victoria Beckham by way of Balenciaga: clean lines, confident tailoring, and a silhouette that demanded attention.

She paired the look with cobalt blue heels—a surprising pop of color that broke the monochrome and added a playful twist. Jewelry was minimal but impactful: statement earrings and a cocktail ring that caught the flashbulbs without competing with the dress’s geometry.

Her hair was styled in soft waves, swept to one side for a touch of Old Hollywood glamour. Makeup leaned classic: bronzed skin, defined lashes, and a nude lip that let the outfit speak loudest.

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