Culture

EXCLUSIVE: Meet Audrey Long, Creator Of XOXO Poship Girl

XOXO Poship Girl founder Audrey Long shares what inspired her to start her business, her advice for women who want to do the same, and her plans for the future.

By Meghan Dillon3 min read

Very few shows have left a mark on pop culture and fashion like Gossip Girl. Despite ending over a decade ago, fans still adore the characters as much as when the show first aired, and they undoubtedly still love recreating their iconic outfits.

Audrey Long, 18, founder of XOXO Poship Girl, has built a platform off Gossip Girl nostalgia, as well as general 2000s nostalgia. With 87k followers on Instagram, she uses her platform to sell clothes that were worn on Gossip Girl and other popular shows from the 2000s. Many of the items are duplicates, but fans can also buy the original items that were worn on screen. 

Audrey and I have followed each other on Instagram for a while, and I’ve always been in awe of her creativity and work ethic, which has landed her features in publications like Cosmopolitan and People, and has caught the eye of actresses like Blake Lively and Sophia Bush.

One look at her website shows that she’s the real deal, and her reviews prove it. One reviewer writes, “This seller is the absolute créme de la créme. My interactions with this seller are always fabulous as she is the friendliest and sweetest soul I’ve ever communicated with on this app. She conducts herself in such a professional manner and is ALWAYS available to chat/answer questions.”

In my exclusive interview with Audrey, we discussed everything from how she got her start to her plans for the future. Let's get into it.

Meghan Dillon: How would you explain XOXO Poship Girl to our readers?

Audrey Long: XOXO, Poship Girl is a retailer of authentic, designer clothing worn by your favorite celebrities in the '00s. We sell clothing worn on shows like Gossip Girl, The Vampire Diaries, One Tree Hill, Sex & The City, and more. Our store has been recognized by Blake Lively, Sophia Bush, and Ashley Benson, to name a few.

MD: What inspired you to start your business?

AL: I watched Gossip Girl for the first time when I was 13, and the show immediately captivated me – the fashions and romanticization of New York City were very enticing. At the time, I was reselling authentic designer clothing, shoes, and accessories, and it seemed like a natural fit to progress into selling clothing worn on Gossip Girl. And the business grew from there!

MD: What are three things you wish you could tell yourself back when you were first starting out?

AL: 1. Be ambitious! Literally, reach for the stars. So many more of your dreams come true when you believe they can, and start looking for ways to make them a reality.

2. Don't let age (young or old) scare you into pursuing your dreams. I started this business at age 13 – and five years later, at 18, it's grown into a company with over six figures in revenue.

3. Don't be afraid to count on your network for advice. When situations get tough, I reach out to my personal and professional networks for their insights on how to proceed. I don't know where I would be without this help. It's essential.

MD: What are the three coolest things you’ve experienced since starting your business?

AL: 1. Gifting 18 Brooke Davis outfits worn on One Tree Hill to Sophia Bush when I met her. She posted a TikTok in the clothes with 10,000,000+ views, and my store was featured in People, Cosmopolitan, InStyle, and other news sources as the retailer for Bush's throwback outfits.

2. During the It Ends With Us press tour, Blake Lively frequently interacted with the Instagram account – reposted our posts on her story, commented on posts, responded to comments, etc. Truly such a cool experience! She's my favorite.

3. Building a professional network and connections with people I admire across the fashion, public relations, and journalism industries. It's been amazing to learn from some of the best in the business! And everyone is truly so kind and willing to help.

MD: You currently have over 87k followers on Instagram. How long did it take for your following to grow? What advice would you give those who want to follow in your footsteps or any young woman wanting to start a business?

AL: I started my account five years ago, with consistent posting almost every day (definitely a few days off, but not often). Sometimes I even post two to three times a day. My best tip of advice is to truly be passionate about the content you're posting – it's essential to stay motivated throughout the years. Also, I love to communicate with my followers and receive feedback. It makes the job more fun! 

For young women aspiring to launch a business, I say do it! You got this. It's going to be a rocky road filled with really low lows, but also really high highs. You just have to be prepared to deal with the tough aspects, but when business is good, it's good. You always have to start somewhere. Why not today?

MD: You’re known for selling clothes featured on TV shows like Gossip Girl, The Vampire Diaries, One Tree Hill, and Pretty Little Liars. Explain your process for finding these coveted items.

AL: I always say, that's one secret I'll never tell. 

MD: Where do you see XOXO Poship Girl in five years?

AL: Hopefully, continuing to thrive and grow! I have no plans to stop this momentum anytime soon. In March of 2025, we will be hosting a large celebrity charity event called "Fashion's Night Out 2025." Follow the event updates on Instagram: @fashionsnightout25

MD: Gossip Girl has been off the air for over a decade, but the fashion from the show is still influential to this day. Why do you think this is?

AL: The show is truly unlike anything else that has ever been produced. The fashion is absolutely exquisite, and when paired with the nostalgia of the plot lines and lasting iconic material of the show, it's still absolutely influential. Blair and Serena, your clothes will always be relevant and fabulous. XOXO.

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

If you want to keep up with Audrey's journey, follow her Instagram page @xoxoposhipgirl here!