Banana Republic Launches Mad Men Inspired Collection With Series Designer Janie Bryant

[Roxy Tart {PL Team / Comm. Mgr}]

It's about time! This collection launched today. I can wait to head over there and start shopping.

 

Today, Banana Republic and AMC will debut the Mad Men Collection, a limited-edition yet affordable line for both men and women. Created by Banana Republic in collaboration with the show's Emmy-winning Costume Designer Janie Bryant, this Capsule Collection offers a modern take on '60s style and features nearly 65 pieces of apparel and accessories.

"Working with Janie to gain a true understanding of the Mad Men look and feel was a delight," says Banana Republic Creative Director Simon Kneen. "Janie was instrumental in helping us achieve the series aesthetic and standard of authenticity with this capsule collection, offering sketches, her own inspirations and actual artifacts from the production set to help inspire the Mad Men within all of us."

The men's collection includes knit sweaters, tailored suit separates and fitted trousers, as well as such classic accessories as a money clip, cotton pocket squares, silk ties, tie bars and fedora hats. The women's pieces include a chic trench coat, tailored dresses, high-waisted skirts, silk tie-neck blouses and statement accessories like print scarves and leopard print pump heels.

"Collaborating with Simon and his team to design this collection was an experience I'll never forget," says Bryant. "It's so rewarding to help create a collection that will allow fans of the series to channel their own Mad Men style and take home fashionable items that are modern, not costume."

 

http://blogs.amctv.com/mad-men/2011/08/banana-republic-collection.php

[Roxy Tart {PL Team / Comm. Mgr}]

You can see a slide show of all the pieces here: http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2011/06/mad_men_banana_republic.html#

[Veronica Virgo]

sweeeeet!

[Wenzdai]

I am not impressed.

[richardwangphotography]

Oh this is HILARIOUS!

 

What an amazingly cynical ploy.

 

Banana Republic takes a dress and a suit from their Fall 2011 Ready to Wear line, and a coat and a skirt from Fall 2010 Ready to Wear.   Tweek them by making them in "retro" fabrics and put a "Mad Men" label.  All the time hoping, that with the proper ad campaign, people will be rushing into their stores.

 

By the way, this isn't the first clothing tie-in with "Mad Men".  For the last 4 years, you can get a Brooks Brother "Mad Men Edition" suit.

 

Oh and let's not forget the "Mad Men" Barbie dolls.

 

Who knows? 

 

Perhaps we'll soon see a "Don Draper Black Angus Mushroom Burger Meal" at McDonalds.

 

Maybe "Mad Men" martini set at William Sonoma?

 

Or even a Lunch box?

 

Ooops, better not give them any ideas.

 

[Miss Nikki Sin{★}]

you just made me LOL so f****** hard right now!!

in Banana Republic's defense, I like some of the dresses.. however.. if they are just refurbishing old stuff, maybe they should work on being more creative.. or they should've been like, "Mad Men? yea, we've already been making clothes similar to the era" and not signed a kajillion dollar deal. lol. buuuut Money is money, so they will do whatever it takes to make it. :/

 

richardwangphotography said:

Oh this is HILARIOUS!

 

What an amazingly cynical ploy.

 

Banana Republic takes a dress and a suit from their Fall 2011 Ready to Wear line, and a coat and a skirt from Fall 2010 Ready to Wear.   Tweek them by making them in "retro" fabrics and put a "Mad Men" label.  All the time hoping, that with the proper ad campaign, people will be rushing into their stores.

 

By the way, this isn't the first clothing tie-in with "Mad Men".  For the last 4 years, you can get a Brooks Brother "Mad Men Edition" suit.

 

Oh and let's not forget the "Mad Men" Barbie dolls.

 

Who knows? 

 

Perhaps we'll soon see a "Don Draper Black Angus Mushroom Burger Meal" at McDonalds.

 

Maybe "Mad Men" martini set at William Sonoma?

 

Or even a Lunch box?

 

Ooops, better not give them any ideas.

 

[Edson Carlos]

I was going to say some good things about a few of the pieces, but f*** any company that wants me to like their page to see what they sell...

 

and f*** Facebook too =)

 

[Roxy Tart {PL Team / Comm. Mgr}]

Edson, that's why I posted the link in my reply, because I'm not gonna like their page to look. That's ridiculous.
 
As for the marketing... a lunch box... awesome. I'd buy it. Every show in the 80's had a lunch box, I loved my Dukes of Hazzard one. I see nothing wrong with marketing products. The Barbie dolls... how was that bad? I'd rather have little girls looking like those then the Bratz dolls. And the martini set, good idea! Sounds like a great gift for any Mad Men loving gentleman. A 60's style Brooks Brothers suit... if putting a Man Men label on it get's more men to go in there and buy it, and then walk around looking sharp instead of like slobs, I'm all for it.
 
Marketing isn't a bad thing, products based on popular shows have been around almost as long as TV. And in this case the products are encouraging our modern society to look better; more polished and classic. I fail to see how this is a bad thing at all.

[Wenzdai]

I agree with Roxy.  

 

 Im a sucker for good marketing. if you can actually get to me buy something with a really well planned  ad...  then obviously your doing it right.

 

 but this collection.. is blegh. 

 

 

[Plum Pea Dahl {★}]

I saw an ad for this in my magazine yesterday and I immediately thought of you, Roxy!  The stuff is cute, but still out of my price range!

[Anita Fixx]

Haha! I just went to their "cocktail party" at the Banana Republic in Toronto (Eaton Centre). I enjoyed my classic martini but I did'nt buy anything. I also had some crackers, cheese and fruit and I'm not ashamed to admit it! I like mooching off corporations! lol

P.S Nothing really stood out for me besides the leopard print sweater maybe because it was leopard print... : P  I'll probably find it at Value Village for 5.99 once the fad is over and done with.

[Cupcake Terror]

Oh my goodness! I love everything! Haven't even watched the show and I love all the dresses... damn this is gonna hurt my pocketbook.

[Roxy Tart {PL Team / Comm. Mgr}]

After looking at it a few more times I realized why I don't like the collection. It's really drab, like it was made for Mad Men extras in the background. I don't see Joan or Betty or Trudy... I see generic. I like that pieces are classic, and I'd love to see modern ladies wearing them, but they don't remind me of the show, just the era. You would think that the shows costume designer would put a little more of the feel of the show in her collection.