Are you Don? Are you Betty?
A couple of months ago we reported that Banana Republic would be teaming up with Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant to create a line that is inspired by the show and 1960s fashion. Today is the day that the line is launching and you can now head to your nearest Banana Republic or their website to pick up your own Mad Men inspired garment or accessory.
The ad campaign which will be hitting the big September issues of fashion magazines showcases some of the garments available and also asks which of the characters you are like. This is reminiscent of how the Sex and the City characters were discussed in some publications and is one of the key selling points to this Banana Republic advertising campaign. Whilst I don't believe that anyone would really want to be like Betty (January Jones) as a character, her wardrobe is definitely desired. It would appear then that whilst the Sex and the City women were used to describe different archetypes of personality as well as fashion, the Mad Men collection looks to use the characters style and body shapes to promote the different pieces rather than personality traits.
Over at StyleCaster.com they were lucky enough to have an exclusive behind the scenes look at the 65 piece collection and interview Banana Republic's Creative Director Simon Kneen, who collaborated with Bryant in creating these pieces. Kneen talks about why Banana Republic felt like the right outlet to host this collection and said:
"I think the fact that there is this dressing up. I think people are looking at the show, the suiting of the guys and the dressed up feeling of the girls and the beautiful dresses – it feels right for the time. I know our customer loves to dress up. We are a suit destination for him and we're definitely a dress destination for her, and playing up those things feels like a great, easy tie in for us."
He was also asked why the period that this collection reflects has such staying power in terms of the influence on fashion:
"Because it's so chic and fun – so tongue-in-cheek. When you see the beehive hairdos and you see the makeup and the cinched waists, what kind of women doesn't want to feel like that? It's sexy and it's feminine."
The attention to detail from Janie Bryant and her team on Mad Men surely has something to do with this long lasting influence and the women that wear the pieces also contribute to the desire to emulate these looks. It is not just the women though that are in focus here and as with previous collections with Brooks Brothers it is suits that are the selling point for men. There are also accessories such as several fedora hats, tie pins and pocket squares to give those extra Mad Men details to complete the look.
AMC are also using this collection as a perfect selling point for season 5 of the show. There is no solid release date other than early 2012 but they have just started shooting this new and much anticipated season. I have been rewatching the show from the beginning to fill this gap and despite having seen these episodes 2 or 3 times, I am still in awe of the costume design of this show (along with countless other aspects) and so I think the opportunity to buy something at an affordable price that has been co-designed by Janie Bryant is a terrific idea. In not surprising news Bryant has received an Emmy nomination this year for Outstanding Costume Design for a Series for her work on Mad Men.
What do you all think? Do you like the collection? Are you a Don? Are you a Betty?
