Friday, March 11, 2011

Fresh Fashion Friday: The Fashion File by Janie Bryant

The Fashion File by Janie Bryant with Monica Cocoran Harel. Foreward by January Jones. Photo by Dustin Enrique Larsen

Television has always had a profound impact on the world of fashion. The television series Mad Men has become a pivotal influence on how the world decides to dress. The woman behind the wardrobe is Emmy Award-Winning costume designer Janie Bryant. In her book, The Fashion File, she invites us into that world as well as her own and shares the insight that has brought her enormous success.

Photo taken from AMC.com
The book promises to provide “advice, tips and inspiration.” This includes easy to incorporate practices such as obtaining proper measurements, dressing for all occasions, and creating a wardrobe that will stand the test of time; just to name a few. Bryant more than delivers on these promises.



The tips and advice that she features display a vast knowledge of both fashion and its history, which is relatable to fashion enthusiasts and non-fashion enthusiasts alike. Any individual from all walks of life who reads this book will easily be able to incorporate its pages into their own unique lifestyles. Her personal and professional stories are seamlessly weaved throughout the book as well.

Photo taken from AMC.com
Gorgeous original illustrations by Bryant and photographs of fashion necessities from her own personal collections fill each chapter, which help aid her as she provides the reader a deeper understanding of how one’s wardrobe influences character development on the show. She then provides tips on how this understanding can be related to real life.

Photo taken from AMC.com
Although the book’s focus is mainly on the female reader, there is a pleasant surprise for the men in the chapter titled “The Don Draper Makeover.” Male readers are gifted with the know-how as far as tying a tie, bow tie and ascot; finding a suit that looks both professional and fashionable as well as being the proper fit; and a list of the Top 10 items that MUST be in a man’s closet.

I have read many “how to” and advice books written by fashion industry professionals and I can say without a doubt that The Fashion File is at the top of my list for must haves. Owning it as part of your library is not only a significant investment, but a necessity.

About the Author: 

Photo taken from AMC.com

Emmy-winning costume designer Janie Bryant creates all of the looks seen on TV's Mad Men. She has worked on numerous films and TV shows. In 2005, she won an Emmy for her period costumes on HBO's Deadwood and she took home the prestigious Outstanding Costume Design award from the Costume Designers Guild in both 2009 and 2010. 
"To Dustin, a Don Draper in great style!"-Janie Bryant






Tuesday, March 8, 2011

GQ to You: A Fashion How To Introduction

I have always been a sucker for chic style. Each month when my issue of GQ arrives, I am known to disappear to my room for hours while I devour each and every page. One of my favorite hobbies is designing my wardrobe based on pieces I love from my favorite looks that are featured in that month’s issue. I always get a thrill from bargain shopping for those various pieces and putting together looks that are FRACTIONS of the costs found in the magazine.


As I was packing all my spring looks for my trip to NYC next week, it dawned on me that I should share my savvy fashion sense with those that would appreciate it or find it interesting.


The following are three spring looks from the feature titled Weekend Update by Eric Ray Davidson from the February issue of GQ. Click on the links below to view them in detail along with my looks for MUCH less. 

Look #1
Look #2
Look #3


GQ to You: A Fashion How To #1


Look #1 consists of:

Cardigan from Banana Republic-$90
Shirt from Lands’ End Canvas-$40
Chinos from Dockers-$50
Shoes from Quoddy-$230
Belt from Lands’ End-$40

Grand Total for this entire look: $450
 

Photo taken from GQ.com

My Look consists of:

Two Tone Trimmed Cardigan from Forever 21-$21
Men’s Patterned Long-sleeved Shirt from Old Navy-$25
Men’s Slim-Fit Khakis from Old Navy-$30
Brown Slip On Shoes from Steve Madden (on Sale at Ross)-$25
Men’s Braided Belt (Fossil) from Macy’s-$25

Grand Total for My Look: $126. That’s about ONE FOURTH the cost of the items in GQ for the same overall look.




GQ to You: A Fashion How To #2


Look #2 consists of:

Sports Jacket from PureDKNY-$425
Shirt from Band of Outsiders-$230
Jeans from Citizens of Humanity-$178
Shoes from Allen Edmonds-$325

Grand Total for this entire look: $1,158

Photo taken from GQ.com

My look consists of:

Vintage Sports Jacket inherited from my dad’s closet-$0
Men’s Patterned Shirt from Old Navy-$25
Men’s Dark Wash Distressed Straight-Leg Jeans from Old Navy-$40
Brown Oxfords inherited from my dad’s closet-$0

Grand Total for My Look: $65. You could buy 18 of my looks for the price of the look found in GQ!

GQ to You: A Fashion How To #3


Look #3 consists of:

T-Shirt from Levi’s-$30
Jeans from AG Adriano Goldschmied-$168
Shoes from Ralph Lauren-$475
Jacket from Topman-$80
Belt from Gucci-$290

Grand Total for this look: $1,043

Photo taken from GQ.com
 
My Look consists of:

Striped V-neck Tee from Forever 21-$13
Straight-fit Jeans (white wash) from GAP-$65 (splurge item)
Boss Black Charlie Shoe (Hugo Boss) on Sale from Piperlime.com-$110 (splurge item)
Men’s Denim Jacket from Old Navy-$40
Men’s Braided Belt (Fossil) from Macy’s-$25

Grand Total for My Look: $253. That’s 4X LESS than the look in GQ.