Costume designer Janie Bryant launches 50s inspired collection

By

Cassidy Mantor

Published
Sep 5, 2017

Janie Bryant, famous for designing costumes for Mad Men, Deadwood and The Last Tycoon, is launching a capsule collection in partnership with Burbank, CA-based retro brand Unique Vintage.

The twelve piece capsule will include vintage inspired dresses and separates pulling from 1950s style inspiration. According to Bryant, "It's the first time since Mad Men that I've gotten to design a fashion collection that's truly vintage-inspired."

Bryant collaborated with Banana Republic and Brooks Brothers, while she was working on set, for Mad Men-inspired capsule collections. This is her first stand alone collection since the show ended in 2015.

The Janie Bryant for Unique Vintage collection will include silhouettes that accent bust, waist and hips. The designer's favorite piece from the collection is a strapless sweetheart neckline polka dot tulle dress. Other pieces include a ribbon swing skirt and a skirt suit.

Unique Vintage was founded in 2000. Originally it was meant to be a vintage clothing business but expanded into manufacturing affordable vintage-inspired clothes. It now offers a full range of sizes including plus size. In 2008 it opened a store front in Burbank on Magnolia Blvd.

Unique Vintage's founder Katie Echeverry explains the significance of partnering with Bryant. She said Bryant's previous capsule collections have "introduced vintage style to people not thinking of dressing that way prior." Ultimately, Bryant's looks have increased Unique Vintage's business as consumers began looking at incorporating 1950s style into their daily looks.

Echeverry says old Hollywood is a major point of inspiration for vintage. Customers try to replicate Lucille Ball, Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn's looks. Echeverry points to costumer designers as the ones who have helped drive that business.

Bryant in turn explains what she hopes to achieve for costume design overall. “It’s about visually moving the story along, not only for the audience but also in allowing the actor to feel that character. That’s really the magic of costume design.”

The Unique Vintage collection will launch September 25th. Price points range from $68 to $188.