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The Mad Men Fashion File - Q&A With Costume Designer Janie Bryant
Costume designer Janie Bryant talks about making a dress for Oprah, Joan's "sexy asparagus" ensemble, and how she got the blood stains right.
Q: So the big news of the week. You dressed Oprah!
A: I was told Oprah was doing a show all about the '60s, and they asked if I wanted to style her. I was like, "No, I want to design a dress for her." It ended up being dresses for both Oprah and Gayle King. So I sat down, started drawing, and sent my sketches off to Oprah's people. Oprah's assistant wrote back, "Oprah said the dress was divine!" And then for Gayle, I designed a dress that was half Joan and half Peggy to have that "new office girl" kind of feeling. But Gayle said, "No. I just want to be Joan!" So we re-cut the skirt so it was really tight. She looked incredible; we had so much fun.
Q: Did you fit Oprah yourself?
A: Yes, I went up to Montecito to see her. I spent about 25 minutes with her in her house, and she loves the dress -- it's raspberry pink silk; it's so gorgeous! She was totally game to do the girdle and the bra, and the stockings with it. She was game for the whole look... And the day before the Creative Emmys, I got a signed picture of Oprah in her dress. She looks so beautiful! I couldn't be in Chicago for the taping; Matt was just beginning his episode so I didn't want to leave him. But January was texting me backstage, saying "Oprah looks amazing!"
Q: Now about Episode 6. Did you have a field day with the fake blood on Joan's dress?
A: Yes. But it was also hard because I love that dress. I actually built three of those dresses; I designed them myself for Joan. I put blood on two of them and one we kept clean.
Q: Why were two of them bloody?
A: Matt didn't like the first one because he wanted more blood! So the second one, I just added more and more.
Q: Did you have someone wear the dress while you got it bloody?
A: Yes! Me! Allison, my assistant costume designer, and Le Dawson, our supervisor -- we're master distressers because we worked on Deadwood together. So they wrapped me in dry cleaning plastic bags and then they put the dress over those. I wanted the placement of the blood to be just right, so I went down on the floor like Joan would have, and pretended to be cleaning up the blood. I used rubber gloves and then wiped them on my thighs when they were covered in blood to make it look real.
Q: That's very method of you.
A: Yes, see? I'm an actress too!
Q: What did you use for the blood?
A: Something all TV professionals use, pretty much. It's called "Real Blood - Aged." They also have "Real Blood - New." But I prefer Aged and how it photographs because it has much more of a brown tint. I think also when it dries, it's more realistic.
Q: This must have been an unorthodox episode for you.
A: It was really fun! I mean, we hardly get to do anything bloody on Mad Men! Besides the dress, Guy's shoes had to be bloodied up. I had to get three pairs of shoes and six pairs of socks. And I had Tom, the special effects guy, roll over the shoes and socks with the lawnmower, and then we shredded the sock, and the makeup department put in fake toes, and then we got some more blood in there -- it was good, really good.
Q: Was that the best part?
A: No, Joan's dress was definitely the highlight. That whole episode is summertime, and I think you really feel the season of that episode, because Joan has that summer green dress -- we called it the "Sexy Asparagus Dress." But it was so unique in each setting -- I loved how it popped in the office.
Q: Was it the first costume you made for Episode 6?
A: No. At first Matt and I talked about it, and when I said,
"I'm doing a green dress," Matt said, "Why can't it be red, white, and
blue?" I'm like, "No, because the blood has to hit something totally
different than a red fabric." But then I got to do Olive in the red,
white, and blue and Peggy in the polka dots. So the master plan all
works out.
To read what Janie Bryant had to say about the wardrobe in Season 2, click here.
Watch a tour with Janie Bryant of the Mad Men costume shop here »
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Saw Oprah in her (your) dress - it was lovely! The blood effects were great, Janie. Keep up the good work.
I especially loved Joan's matching asparagus green purse.
I though Janie might like to see some kids fashions taken in 1961. We lived in Rochester NY at the time, in the Brighton 12 corners area.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/photo.php?pid=693583&id=1371257053
Several kids shots linked to the page.
My two favorite Ken scenes are the one at the Romano's table with the lighter and the famous John Deere ride!ecommerce
As part of my reporting for this month’s V.F. story on Mad Men and creator Matthew Weiner, I had the pleasure of interviewing Janie Bryant, the show’s costume designer. Her eclectic credits include the HBO Western series Deadwood as well as films such as The Hills Have Eyes 2 and the recent remake of The Last House on the Left.
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Katherine Jane (Janie) Bryant is an American television costume designer. Her most notable work is in the HBO Western series Deadwood.
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Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant discusses her designs for the drama, fashion from the era and where she finds inspiration.
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Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant’s first book will be out in the fall of this year.
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Mad Men was not a great show, I would see it for fashion. Costume designer Janie Bryant perfectly captures the era.
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Bryant shows off the outfits worn by Don, Betty, Joan, Roger and the gang, in a time warp to the early 60s.
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As part of my reporting for this month’s V.F. story on Mad Men and creator Matthew Weiner, I had the pleasure of interviewing Janie Bryant, [url=http://www.edhardytime.com/]ed hardy shirts[/url] the show’s costume designer. Her eclectic credits include the HBO Western series Deadwood as well as films such as The Hills Have Eyes 2 and the recent remake of The Last House on the Left.[url=http://www.etruereligionjeans-sale.com/]discount true religion[/url]
Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant’s first book will be out in the fall of this year.Roger and the gang, in a time warp to the early 60s.
Janie Bryant, the costume designer for Mad Men, has partnered with Maidenform. In her role as Maidenform's Wardrobe Expert, she will help educate consumers by offering flattering fit and styling tips as well as share her expertise in dressing an array of body types, a skill honed while working on the set.
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I love Janie Bryant. She is my favorite costume designer. new york city dj
Wow!! Amazing opportunity she was given. Anyone that can get in with Oprah has a chance to expose their brand. Im proud of her. She seems to be good at what she does.
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She is also known for her role as the blogging enthusiast in Twix advertisements. pet cremation jewelry
She's a blogger?,Oh my she is really talented with a very nice blog.
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No series in the best of fashion on television would be complete without the man popular AMC program Mad.
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Mad men is one of my favorites, I have watched and enjoyed every episode. I love the actors, their custom and practically everything about the show... drugs online
There is definitely a lot of great costumes in this show. The creator has done an amazing job with this. I am really ready for the next season of mad men. Bollywood movies
Katherine Jane (Janie) Bryant is an American television costume designer.
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Great interview, you should have asked he whether he can play the guitar, or if she want to learn it :-) guitar lessons for beginners
Thanks for this!
I really love Mad Men, almost as much as golf! :)
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It is good be here. The style and dresses shown here are awesome. Fashion always attracts the people. These styling accessories are really impressive.
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I would die for one of those classy suits don draper wears. Adam - How to Text a Girl You Like
What a cool job she has...
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