Banana Republic's Mad Men Collection with Janie Bryant, Fabulously Fierce

By Laura Medina

Banana Republic's Mad Men Installation, both women & men.

Most fashion journalists are just happy to have the chance to interview a legendary designer once since it is a rare opportunity.

It is much rarer to interview the same designer twice...less than one year.

During last year's Christmas season, this scribe was fortunate to interview the influential and fashion legend in the making, Janie Bryant, "Mad Men" costume designer about her style book, "The Fashion File." A book that is part fashion psychological breakdown of the television drama, "Mad Men," part style guide, part fashion history book, and part costume textbook.

Just chatting with her, at that moment in time, was good enough...until last night.

Janie Bryant in "Mad Men" navy houndstooth dress.

Last night, Thursday, August 11th, was the official debut of Banana Republic's "Mad Men" Collection.

It was a homage to the Mid-Twentieth Century style and a collaboration for the show's costume designer, Janie Bryant.

This launch was the fruition of Ms. Bryant's childhood influence, fashion designer background in New York, and knowledge of costume history.

Throughout this journalist's second interview with Ms. Bryant, the designer stressed this collection for the modern body in today's modern lifestyle.

It is just vintage-inspired.

She made this point, sauntering in the collection's navy houndstooth dress, resembling another modern woman character, "Sex and the City" Charlotte York, symbolizing the collection's goal of being classy yet chic.

A little bit of Joan, Betty, & Peggy. Mad Men's Women Collection.

Using her previous experience as a Manhattan fashion designer, Ms. Bryant stresses this is first and foremost a modern collection for the modern woman and man, using modern cuts, bustline, current body measurements, and fabrics for the modern lifestyle, that yearns for that touch of vintage.

She was very conscious not to make this collection, "costumey," but adaptable and attainable for today's fashionista and fashionisto, who are fans of "Mad Men."

Even though fans and fashionista crave to have that Joan/Betty/Peggy attitude and Don Draper/Roger Sterling/Pete Campbell jauntiness, Ms. Bryant makes sure that these vintage-inspired pieces can be incorporated into today's existing wardrobe.

As a style consultant, she suggests that each piece can broken down and mixed in. The lace shell tops can be paired with wide-legged and skinny jeans to refresh a look.

Bryant used vintage techniques (that are still being used in haute couture) to bring back that mid-Twentieth century "Mad Men" sly sex appeal to the wardrobe standby...the little black dress.

For the black laced tipped dress, she sewn in a weight inside the neckline to subtly drape the neckline over the collarbone and the shoulder joint and keep them in place so the wearer does not have to fuss over it.

Seductive but elegant...that "Mad Men" effect.

In fact, Ms. Bryant stated this was common practice in the garment industry back then, sewn in weights so jackets and dresses can hang properly. Coco Chanel was known for this.

If you think you can switch the swoop, Ms. Bryant quickly added that the Black Lace Tipped Dress is one-shouldered and cannot be switched back and forth.

Another dress with vintage-inspiration but with modern tailoring, the Begonia Dress.

The print may be vintage but the asymetrical, inverted bodice pleating gives it that razor-sharp late Fifties/early Sixties feel for today's body.

Janie's assistant proves you can still be modern and "Mad Men" chic in the cream lace shell under the animal print cardigan and the leopard print pumps. Janie Bryant shows you can be "Mad Men" fierce in the modern world.