Banana Republic unveils Janie Bryant created 'Mad Men'

23 Jun '11

3 min read

Banana Republic and AMC are proud to announce the first-ever limited edition "Mad Men" inspired collection for men and women. The collection is designed by Banana Republic in collaboration with "Mad Men" Emmy Award-winning Costume Designer Janie Bryant and will be carried in Banana Republic's North American stores and online beginning August 11, 2011.

Inspired by the Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning AMC series "Mad Men," which returns for a fifth season in early 2012, the Banana Republic "Mad Men" capsule offers a modern take on the cool polish and panache of the 1960s era through the Banana Republic lens of affordable luxury and noticeable quality. The collection features nearly 65 pieces of apparel and accessories for men and women, embodying the style tenants of the time – effortlessly chic, dressed-up American sportswear.

"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 chunky-meets-streamlined knit sweaters, tailored suit separates and fitted trousers, as well as classic accessories with character, including a money clip, cotton pocket squares, silk ties, tie bars and fedora hats. The women's pieces are modern yet lady-like including chic trench coats, 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."

Jack Calhoun, President of Banana Republic said, "We began our relationship three years ago with the first-ever Casting Call and creating this capsule collection was a natural progression, allowing Banana Republic customers and fans of the series to own fashions inspired by their favorite show."

Banana Republic and AMC Extend Marketing Collaboration

In celebration of the collection's launch, AMC and Banana Republic reprise the popular "Mad About Style" webisodes, featuring Bryant and Kneen, who appear together in new video segments that document the making of the collection. Three unique episodes offer a behind-the-scenes look at how the collection is developed from design kick-off to the collection launch.

AMC and Banana Republic will also repeat its popular "Mad Men" Casting Call, a co-sponsored contest where customers can enter to win a walk-on role on the award-winning program and a $1,000 Banana Republicshopping spree. Last year, nearly 10,000 people entered the contest and more than 7 million votes were cast to determine the finalists. Customers and fans can visit website for details. Fans can vote for their favorites to be considered as finalists. From those finalists, the winner is selected by "Mad Men" Creator and Executive Producer Matthew Weiner for a walk-on role in Season 5, debuting next spring.

The collection will be featured in Banana Republic's fall advertising campaign which will appear in September publications, supplemented by print, outdoor, online, direct mail and in store. In addition, Banana Republic Facebook fans gain early access to a pre-sale of the full collection on August 10, 2011.

Banana Republic, a division of San Francisco-based, Gap Inc.

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