Hair icon Blake Lively

(BANG) -

Blake Lively's haircut is the new 'Rachel'.

The 'Gossip Girl' star's sweeping locks have become the haircut of choice for fashion-conscious women, and is close to reaching the staggering popularity of Jennifer Aniston's 'Rachel' haircut on 'Friends' in the 90s.

Hairdresser John Barrett said: "It's aspirational hair. Clients don't just want the hair, they want the life."

John said Blake's long, tousled cut has become the most requested at his New York salon with women of all ages clamouring to recreate the style.

Blake said: "I didn't really realise the extent of it."

The 22-year-old actress - who plays rich girl Serena Van der Woodsen on the hit show - admitted fashion journalists in particular were fascinated by her shiny locks.

She said: "That's always kind of odd, but incredibly flattering."

Women without Blake's long locks are reportedly paying up to $1,500 for hair extensions to recreate the style.

Blake's stylist on 'Gossip Girl', Jennifer Johnson, uses a conditioning masque to keep hair shiny, and creates her client's celebrated tousled look by pinning her hair in a chignon and letting it dry naturally.