• Style
  • Women
  • Huff/Post50
  • Weddings
  • HealthyLiving
  • Divorce
  • Parents
  • Sign In / Register
  • stylelist home
  • huffpost style
  • FASHION
    • Departments

      Fashion News Fashion Features Fashion Trends Designers Models Accessories
      In The Market For Intern Diaries Step Into My Office Object of My Affection Stylelist Network Stories

      Featured

      Can You Guess The Child Model's Famous Aunt? Can You Guess The Child Model's Famous Aunt?
      Vintage-Obsessed Blogger Shares 18 Recent Finds Vintage-Obsessed Blogger Shares 18 Recent Finds
      Pinterest Cracks Down On Thinspirational Images Pinterest Cracks Down On Thinspirational Images
  • BEAUTY
    • Departments

      Beauty Basics Beauty News Beauty Features Beauty Trends Uptown Downtown Makeup Healthy Beautiful You
      Skin & Body Fragrance Nails Facetime The Unexpected Icon

      Featured

      This Student Reveals Her Bright-But-Wearable Pink Lipstick Shade This Student Reveals Her Bright-But-Wearable Pink Lipstick Shade
      Do You Use A Facespray Like This Yoga Instructor? Do You Use A Facespray Like This Yoga Instructor?
      Morgan Spurlock Waxes Philosophical On Mantyhose & Manscaping Morgan Spurlock Waxes Philosophical On Mantyhose & Manscaping
  • HAIR
    • Departments

      Hair Trends Hair How To

      Featured

      The Hair Doctor Is in: Consultation Is Key The Hair Doctor Is in: Consultation Is Key
      Guess Which Beauty Treatment She Gave The President Guess Which Beauty Treatment She Gave The President
      Can Pink Hair Look Sophisticated? Can Pink Hair Look Sophisticated?
  • CELEBRITY
    • Departments

      Style Evolution Look Of The Day Uptown|Downtown A Look Back

      Featured

      How Donna Summer Helped Me Through College How Donna Summer Helped Me Through College
      PHOTOS: Cameron Diaz's Life In 54 Looks PHOTOS: Cameron Diaz's Life In 54 Looks
      PHOTOS: 27 Stars Who Look More Beautiful Without Makeup PHOTOS: 27 Stars Who Look More Beautiful Without Makeup
  • CULTURE
    • Departments

      Art & Design Film Music Books & Magazines

      Featured

      How Long Does It Take To Become Mrs. Don Draper? How Long Does It Take To Become Mrs. Don Draper?
      5 Things This Hot New Musician Can't Live Without 5 Things This Hot New Musician Can't Live Without
      PHOTOS: SXSW Street Style PHOTOS: SXSW Street Style
  • FASHION WEEK
    • Departments

      Fashion Week Spring 2012 Fashion Week Fall 2012

      Featured

      Fashion Intern Tells All From Behind The Scenes At Two British Magazines Fashion Intern Tells All From Behind The Scenes At Two British Magazines
      Prada's Take On Ombre Prada's Take On Ombre
      The Intern Diaries: Behind The Scenes At A British Magazine The Intern Diaries: Behind The Scenes At A British Magazine
  • VIDEO
  • STYLELIST NETWORK

'Mad Men' Costume Designer Janie Bryant on Banana Republic Collection; Details on Exclusive Gilt Groupe Preview Sale

by Beth Cooney Fitzpatrick (Subscribe to Beth Cooney Fitzpatrick's posts)
Posted Jul 21st 2011 at 6:00AM  
1 Comment
Share
Janie Bryant mad men banana repblic costume designer

Photo courtesy of Janie Bryant.

"Mad Men" cultists may have to wait until 2012 to find out if Don Draper is really going to marry his secretary, but sartorial fans of Betty, Joan and Peggy are in luck.

The AMC dramatic series' acclaimed costume designer, Janie Bryant, has collaborated with Banana Republic to create a 65-piece capsule collection of men's and women's apparel and accessories that arrives in stores Aug. 11. We raise our highball glasses to that!

Prestige shopping site Gilt Groupe will offer the completely modern, yet vintage-inspired pieces to its member customers in an exclusive preview sale that launches July 25.

No need for a pitch from the Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce team to get excited about first dibs on items such as lady-like sheath dresses, chunky-meets-streamlined men's sweaters and fetching leopard trenchcoats, shoes and handbags.

Before we clicked over to Gilt Groupe to shop, we checked in with Bryant for her personal take on the collections, some of its nostalgic inspirations and her recent Emmy nomination.

StyleList: Why this collaboration with Banana Republic?
Janie Bryant:
Working with Banana Republic to create a modern collection of '60s-inspired pieces was a natural progression. Banana Republic is known for recreating classic pieces for the modern consumer, which is exactly what we wanted to do with this capsule collection. Our pieces fit well with the Banana Republic brand and we feel that their customer will be receptive to the collection as a fun addition to their wardrobe.

This collection is so exciting to me because I get to share my passion for the era with so many people now! I get asked frequently how to create the "Mad Men" look in a contemporary fashion and now we have a collection that does exactly that. The pieces are inspired heavily by the show's costumes, but still feel cool and modern. I also got to work with Banana Republic's Creative Director, Simon Kneen, with whom I truly enjoy working. Simon and I have great chemistry, which made this collection that much more special.

StyleList: I hear you drew on some inspirations from your family's fashion archives for this collection.
JB:
Actually, one was my mother's engagement dress which was made by my grandmother. It is lovely -- royal blue with purple embroidery. There's another dress that I used directly to inspire the "Peggy Dress." It is a beautiful houndstooth sheath made of cream and wool. I enjoyed being able to use these pieces as inspiration as they created a little nostalgia for me. [Editor's note: Bryant shared photographs of these pieces, shown here, exclusively with StyleList and The Huffington Post]

Janie Bryant's mother's engagement dress and a vintage Bryant family dress which inspired some of the Banana Republic collection.

Janie Bryant's mother's engagement dress and a vintage Bryant family dress, which inspired some of the Banana Republic collection. Photos Courtesy: Janie Bryant


StyleList: Some of the pieces are named after the show's characters. How did you approach that?
JB:
Each character on the show has their own silhouette and inspiration for their look. We recreated modern silhouettes for Joan, Peggy and Betty which range from body conscious to A-line. We also added the Midge skirt -- a nod to Don Draper's former bohemian girlfriend -- which is a little unexpected, but encompasses the artistic world of Midge. We adapted the silhouettes and color palettes to be more adaptable to the modern women and chose fabrics that work well for today's corporate women but can also go out on the town!

StyleList: This collection also recognizes the broad influence "Mad Men" and your costuming has had on contemporary menswear.
JB:
I really enjoy designing menswear, especially from this era. The men look so dapper and well put together. It's exciting to me that men want to dress up a bit more and add a little bit of "Mad Men" to their style. I devoted a whole chapter of my book, "The Fashion File" to menswear which explores the clothing of that era and some of my favorite male style role models; men like Cary Grant, Steve McQueen, Oscar Wilde, even Napoleon Bonaparte. He was an emperor with flair.

StyleList: Any tips on keeping the pieces from looking too retro?
JB:
They were designed to look modern, but if you wanted to go for more vintage you could get a fabulous '60s beehive and have a cocktail!

Stylelist: Which of the pieces are must-haves for your own wardrobe?
JB:
I'm partial to the matching leopard shoes and handbag. You can really wear them with anything you already have in your closet. I also love the leopard trench too. All of the pieces are gorgeous. It's hard to decide.

StyleList: Congratulations on your Emmy nomination. What are you going to wear?
JB:
Why thank you! I am so excited to be nominated but have no idea what I'll be wearing. Maybe this year I'll just design myself something fabulous.

Speaking of "Mad Men" read StyleList's exclusive chat with its curvaceous star, Christina Hendricks, on some of her inspirations.

Check out a sneak peek of the collection below:

Mad Men & Banana Republic

  • Janie Bryant for Banana Republic
  • Janie Bryant for Banana Republic
  • Janie Bryant for Banana Republic
  • Janie Bryant for Banana Republic
  • Janie Bryant for Banana Republic
  • Janie Bryant for Banana Republic
  • Janie Bryant for Banana Republic
  • Janie Bryant for Banana Republic
  • Janie Bryant for Banana Republic

Read All Comments
Filed under: Fashion, Best of the Season, Designers & Brands
Tags: amc, banana republic, BananaRepublic, betty draper, BettyDraper, capsule collection, CapsuleCollection, collaboration, Janie Bryant, JanieBryant, joan halloway, JoanHalloway, mad men, MadMen, peggy olson, PeggyOlson
Share

Style Around the Web

ImaxTree

ImaxTree

  • Make Up Tips For Girls With Glasses - Refinery29
  • How Celebs Work Red Into Their Wardrobe - FabSugar
  • Celebrity Wardrobe Malfunctions - The Daily Beast
  • Deodorants that Actually Work - Daily Candy
  • Would You Wear Long-Sleeve Shirts As Skirts? - The Frisky
  • Tricks That Guarantee Gorgeous Hair - Daily Makeover
  • Celebs Have Us Seeing Stars - People Style Watch

Related Videos

by 5min
  • All About Mad Men Fashion All About Mad Men Fashion Play Designer Janie Bryant is the genius behind Mad Men.
  • Mad Men Women's Fashion Mad Men Women's Fashion Play Designer Janie Bryant is the Emmy-winning genius behind Mad Men.
  • Rocker Chic Mini Dresses Rule the Salt Premiere Rocker Chic Mini Dresses Rule the Salt Premiere Play Angelina Jolie, Naomi Watts, and Kristin Cavallari wear rocker chic mini dresses to the Salt premiere, the designers of Proenza Schouler talk about their real intentions for the iconic PS1 bag, Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant talks about the upcoming season's vintage ensembles, and a re-cap of the Miami Swim Fashion Shows!
  • Cosmo For Guys Cosmo For Guys Play A new iPad app allows men to get into the heads of women.

READER COMMENTS

(1)Add A Comment

chris wahlstrom, 7-25-2011, 12:27PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
chris wahlstrom

Love it! I always loved the clothes on mad men. The new collection is beautiful.

Reply »

 
ADD A COMMENT
  • NEW USER
  • RETURNING USERS
  • AOL/AIM USERS

Got something to say? Say it!

Simply enter your name and e-mail address, and you'll receive an email confirming your comment and issuing you a password. Use that password, and you're good to go.

If you already have an AOL/AIM screenname, log in under the other tabs.

Happy commenting, and keep it classy.

Members enter your username and password.

Enter your AOL or AIM screenname and password.

ADVERTISEMENT

STAY IN THE LOOP!

Most Popular

 
 
WATCH: We Find The Real Difference Between LA & NY Street Style
Like

7

First Woman To Command A Warship In Royal Navy History
Like

338

PHOTOS: 54 Ultra-Chic Warm Weather Hairstyles
Like

34

'American Idol' Changes Record Contract Policy: Runner-Up No Longer Guaranteed Major Bucks
Like

117

The Richest Woman in the World: How Gina Rinehart Earns her Billions
Like

1K

C.Z. Guest's Unusual White Accessory
Like

13

America's 10 Highest-Paid CEOs of 2011 (and How They Earned It)
Like

883

What Happened When Alex Kenjeev Paid His Student Loan in Cash
Like

2K

WATCH: Bows Gone Wild
Like

4

Samsung Galaxy S III review
Like

2K

Country Star Yearbook Pics
Like

55

6 Ways We're Shaving Our Legs Wrong
Like

37

Hawkeye and the Blue Ear Help a Mother and Her Hearing Impaired Son
Like

2K

Safeway Worker Stops Man From Beating Pregnant Woman, Gets Suspended
Like

335

Look Of The Day: Solange Gets Garden Party-Ready
Like

10

Leap Motion gesture control technology hands-on
Like

3K

Carrie Fisher's All Tied Up
Like

0

Where To Shop & Save This Memorial Day Weekend
Like

4

Esther Williams: 'We Dressed For The Pool--Not Undressed!'
Like

9

Hot on Facebook

 
 
Stevie Nicks' Truly Epic Outfits Through The Years
5 Pinterest Accounts You Have To Follow - Now

MORE ON Stylelist

Garden Tips
Gardening and Landscapes Your Garden Design Questions, Answered
Room Makeover
Know-How 3 Life-Changing Room Makeovers
Weekend Diys
DIY Weekend DIY Ideas: 8 Ways To Fix Up Your Home In 2 Days Or Less (PHOTOS)
Ray And The Ro Ksubi
Stylelist Network Ksubi 'Bad Sports' Lookbook: From The Stylelist Network
Memorial Day Sales
Projects Memorial Day Sales 2012: Home Decor And Outdoor Furniture Sales At Macy's, Sears, Home Depot And More (PHOTOS)
Pier Liautaud Home
Design Inside A Gorgeous '50s Style Home In Haiti (PHOTOS)

SITES WE LOVE

Eddie The Gun's Favorite '80s Accessory? Her Pup

Summer Survival Guide: 10 Essential Beauty Buys From Your D.C. Editor

We're Letting You Splurge On This $$$ Beachwear

Michelle Obama Attends Beyonce Concert

PHOTOS: Princess Charlene Finally Steps Up Her Style Game

Chris Powell: Bringing The Fun Back To Fitness

Carine Roitfeld, Janet Jackson, Karl Lagerfeld, and More at Last Night’s amfAR Gala in Cannes

Natalia Vodianova Was Royal in Blue

Cathy Horyn Deems Mickey Drexler’s Life ‘Not the Stuff of Novels’

Scrub Down: Hadali Detoxifying Body Scrub

Dressed In White: Sophie Theallet Sea Island White Cotton Gown

Patriotic Purse: Edie Parker Red, White and Blue Jean Clutch

One Awesome Thing: A Swimsuit to Make You Feel Like a Bond Girl

Look of the Day: Leopard Meets Brights

Olivia Palermo Inspires the Perfect Last-Minute Memorial Day Look

Kim Kardashian a Kopy Kat?

Priscilla Chan’s Wedding Secret

Mozart Meets the Future

EVEN MORE ON Stylelist

Clean Home
Beauty
Inspiration
Home Design
Beauty Basics
Hair Highlights
 
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Trademarks
  • Advertise
  • About Our Ads
  • Get AOL
 
 
© 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved