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

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.

Double-Take: Jane Lynch, The Other "Black Swan"?

Is it just me, or did Jane Lynch's Ali Rahimi gown that she wore last night to the 2011 Golden Globes seem to echo the Marchesa gown that Kim Kardashian wore to the 2010 Emmy Awards back in August?

Though one was white with gold detailing and the other was completely black, the overall silhouette seems to be identical, with a few minor differences in each (such as the thin belt around Lynch's waist and the extra row around Kardashian's neck.)

Left: Jane Lynch wearing Ali Rahimi; Right: Kim Kardashian wearing Marchesa

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The thing that really caught my eye and drew me to the similarity of the two is the Greco-Egyptian draping and styling around the neck. The fabric of both dresses is draped asymmetrically at the neck and pulled and wrapped through the collar, channeling Cleopatra in overall look.

Not identical (but EXTREMELY similar) necklines and detailing.

I don't believe that these two will be in any "Who Wore it Better" debates anytime soon, but I would have to go with Kim's version as the better if I had to choose. There's no upstaging an original, or a Kadashian for that matter, especially when it comes to fashion.

Golden Globes as Styled by Dustin Enrique Larsen

If I were to choose the winners for the Golden Globes tonight and their winning looks, they would be as follows: 

Prima Portman 

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: Natalie Portman 

Photo taken from Style.com

The above evening gown from Oscar de la Renta's Spring/Summer RTW 2011 collection would be the perfect high fashion and chic twist on Portman's nominated prima ballerina role from Black Swan.

Emma Makes it Easy
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy Or Musical: Emma Stone

Photo taken from Style.com

Another look from Oscar de la Renta's line would give Emma Stone the sexy, sassy and chic runway look that her characters are best known for. The silhouette would accentuate Stone's gorgeous figure, and the detailing would keep the overall look classy.

Amazing Amy
Best Performance by an Actress In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: Amy Adams

 

 

 

 

 

Photo taken from Style.com

Amy Adams has made a name for herself as a very versatile actress. The above cocktail dress from Jason Wu's Spring/Summer RTW 2011 collection would be an excellent opportunity to show off her versatility in fashion as well. The carefree and light silhouette and color of the dress is a contrast to the grittiness of the drama The Fighter for which she is nominated for. The color is also a compliment to her hair and skin tone.

United States of Toni 
Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series - Drama: Toni Collette

  

Photo taken from Style.com

Toni Collette has such a gorgeous and athletic figure that this gown from Marchesa's Spring/Summer RTW 2011 collection would compliment that beautifully. Her strong/athletic yet feminine shoulders would be accentuated by the asymmetrical neckline and the flowing drapery of the gown would make her glide into the best dressed of the night.