Banana Republic to Debut Mad Men Spring 2012 Collection

Published on Thursday, 02 February 2012 08:18 Written by TradersHuddle Staff

Back by Popular Demand, New Limited-Edition Collection Encores Highly Popular Banana Republic Mad Men Capsule, Coinciding with AMC's "Mad Men" Series Season Five Premiere

NEW YORK, Feb. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Banana Republic, the brand focused on workplace style, and AMC are proud to announce an encore installment to the acclaimed Banana Republic 'Mad Men' capsule, which launches exclusively at Banana Republic North America retail locations and online at www.bananarepublic.com beginning March 1, 2012, building up to the season five premiere of "Mad Men" on AMC on Sunday, March 25 at 9:00 p.m. EDT/CDT.

In response to consumer demand following the strong debut of the Banana Republic 'Mad Men' collection in August 2011, the Banana Republic 'Mad Men' spring capsule returns, offering fans a fresh twist on the 1960's era polish and panache, taking inspiration from country club scenes featured in the Emmy® and Golden Globe® Award-winning "Mad Men" series.

Designed by Banana Republic in collaboration with Emmy® Award-winning "Mad Men" Costume Designer Janie Bryant, the collection features more than 40 pieces of apparel and jewelry for men and women and embodies the style tenets of the time, including polished sportswear and chic essentials. Set through the Banana Republic lens of must-have versatile work wear with style, the Banana Republic 'Mad Men' collection offers a fresh twist of stylish modernity to the "Mad Men" aesthetic.

"It's been a fantastic experience working with Janie again on this new spring capsule," says Simon Kneen, creative director, Banana Republic. "We continually find fresh ways to reimagine stylish work wear for our customers," says Kneen. "Spring delivers a whole new palette and gave us an excuse to draw from different scenes and wardrobe from the show as inspiration. Janie's perspective was invaluable in helping us create a collection that is both chic and modern, while remaining true to the aesthetic of the 1960s era."

The menswear collection features dapper dressing separates, including bright polos, bold checked woven shirts, argyle vests, and a sporty spring-weight navy blazer – sharp for the board room or the club lounge. The women's collection offers ladylike pieces in brights and bolds, like sophisticated dresses in graphic florals and solids – including a cap-sleeve dress with reversible waist sash in lush cream and a cheery pink nip-waist dress – cardigans and feminine lace shell blouses and chic coral cropped capris. Accents of versatile statement jewelry accessorize the looks perfectly from desk to dinner.

"It was incredible to see the extraordinary reaction to the first Banana Republic 'Mad Men' capsule. I couldn't wait to work with Simon and his team to help inspire the new spring collection," says Bryant. "Drawing inspiration from some of my favorite spring pieces from the series, we've given fans the tools to create their own looks, just like their favorite 'Mad Men' characters – taking you from the office to country club and everywhere in between."

Banana Republic and AMC will celebrate the launch of the collection with two special access events.  Customers and fans can visit Banana Republic's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/bananarepublic) and AMC's Mad Men website (www.amctv.com/shows/mad-men) for details, and are encouraged to join the conversation on Twitter using #BRMadMen.

The capsule is featured in Banana Republic's March advertising campaign, which will appear in print, outdoor, online, direct mail and in store. In addition, Banana Republic cardholders gain early access to a pre-sale of the full collection at 5:00 p.m. on February 29, 2012 before doors open to the public at 6:00 p.m.

ABOUT BANANA REPUBLIC

Banana Republic is a global accessible luxury brand that delivers modern, soulful and effortless style. Banana Republic's lifestyle collections are characterized by elevated design and luxurious fabrications at approachable prices. Banana Republic collections include apparel, handbags, jewelry, fragrance and eyewear. Banana Republic, a division of San Francisco-based, Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS), can be found at over 600 retail locations in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Italy, and France, BananaRepublic.com, BananaRepublic.ca, BananaRepublic.eu, or (888) BR-STYLE. In addition, Banana Republic is expanding its international presence with franchise agreements in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. For more information, please visit gapinc.com.

Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BananaRepublic

Follow BR on Twitter, @BananaRepublic

ABOUT "MAD MEN"

"Mad Men" debuted in July 2007 and has gone on to win four consecutive Emmy® Awards for Outstanding Drama Series (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011), a first for a cable series, three consecutive Golden Globe® Awards for Best Television Series-Drama, and a Peabody award (2008), among other accolades. The series has gained unprecedented recognition and has been hailed as, "one of the most critically acclaimed TV shows ever," by The New York Post.  TV Guide called it, "the number one television show of the year," while The New York Times hailed it a "cultural phenomenon..."

"Mad Men" is created, written and executive produced by Emmy® and Golden Globe®-winner Matthew Weiner and produced by Lionsgate.

ABOUT AMC

AMC reigns as the only cable network in history to ever win the Emmy® Award for Outstanding Drama Series four years in a row, as well as the Golden Globe® Award for Best Television Series - Drama for three consecutive years.  Whether commemorating favorite films from every genre and decade or creating acclaimed original programming, the AMC experience is an uncompromising celebration of great stories.  AMC's original stories include "Mad Men," "Breaking Bad," "The Walking Dead," "The Killing" and "Hell on Wheels."  AMC further demonstrates its commitment to the art of storytelling with its slate of unscripted original series, as well as curated movie franchises like AMC's Can't Get Enough and AMC's Crazy About.  Available in more than 97 million homes (Source: Nielsen Media Research), AMC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc. and its sister networks include IFC, Sundance Channel and WE tv.  AMC is available across all platforms, including on-air, online, on demand and mobile.  AMC: Story Matters Here(SM).

SOURCE Banana Republic