The Last Round-Mad Men Concludes

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“If you don’t like what’s being said, change the conversation.” Don Draper

 It's time.  Finish off the drink, light the last cigarette, wipe the lipstick from the collar.  Mad Men pours its final round beginning Sunday night.   Matthew Weiner's exquisitely crafted series set against arguably the most transformative decades in American  history draws to a close. No one knows what Mr. Weiner has in store for his characters... but a "change in the conversation" can be expected. 

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“Nostalgia - it’s a twinge in your heart more powerful than memory alone… It goes backwards, forwards. Takes us to a place where we ache to go again.” 

When last we left ... Burt Cooper came from the grave for a swan-song and dance finale... Don returned  to his childhood home/brothel with his children to share his past...  The agency has changed, the offices have changed, Don's marriage is over, Peggy has taken her hard earned place , Joan used the only tools she knew to gain a seat at the table.  The Mad Men gang is aging and the world they relied on and understood is slipping away.  Its time for Mad Men to close shop -as much as we will miss them a post-Watergate era Mad Men wouldn't fit. 

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  "What you call 'love' was invented by guys like me. To sell Nylons." Don Draper

The question remains,however,with all the change swirling around him will Don Draper change?  Don may be living out his days in a society that is moving much faster than he can cope with, in a world that isn't waiting for him to get his act together-if he ever can, and that builds the anxiety, fear and pain that is so often Don Draper.  Handsome, brilliant,charming and a train wreck of a man.  A man, however, that much like the times he is living in must change or get left again.  Can Don become the man we think he really wants to be? With his life in shambles he has to start again , but does he start a new chapter or just keep falling?   

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 Whatever lies ahead for Don Draper and all of the Mad Men characters we have watched make their way and try to find their footing through the most turbulent of American periods, we have lots to look forward to--not the least of which is the extraordinary design of this series.  Mad Men's meticulous attention to every detail of the period is often the true star of this series.  

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  “Well, one day you’re there, and then all of a sudden, there’s less of you, and you wonder where that part went, if it’s living somewhere outside of you, and you keep thinking maybe you’ll get it back, and then you realize it’s just gone.” Peggy

 The sets,  the cars, the props, the music, the furniture... all folded through the finely woven scripts and carefully placed with references to the history and popular culture.  Detail and care  unsurpassed in television design and history.  Pitch perfect writing and performances have pulled this series from the start...and of course...the clothes! 

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 We can trace the evolution of the characters and dramatic change of the country through Janie Bryant's costumes-from the late 50's to the early 70's.  Housewife style, sex-kitten necklines, Jackie Kennedy hats and gloves, Dior's new look,  Mini skirts and Mod. Janie Bryant has captured and chronicled not only the period in American fashion but also the growth and change and personality of each character she dressed in perfect style.  Betty's classic elegance with a hint of bad, Don and Roger's signature suits, Pete's social climbing prep, Peggy's break-away catholic school girl plaids, Joan's asset promoting necklines...a single outfit could tell a scene, reveal a plotline and move the characters forward...or back.

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  “Advertising is based on one thing: happiness. And you know what happiness is? Happiness is the smell of a new car. It’s freedom from fear. It’s a billboard on the side of the road that screams with reassurance that whatever you’re doing, it’s okay. You are okay.” Don Draper

We will miss them all and as they disco into the future we know only one thing about the final episodes of Mad Men-the clothes will be groovy!  

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Here are some fave looks and quotes from seasons past of an unforgettable ride.  As we look back we know it is indeed "the end of an era" not only for Mad Men but for a chapter of American television.  It's time -last one out turn off the electric typewriters.  Thank you Mad Men!

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"I love the way you look at me when you’re like this. But then I watch it decay. I can only hold your attention for so long."  Betty

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 “That poor girl. She doesn’t know that loving you is the worst way to get to you.” Betty Draper

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“But that’s life. One minute you’re on top of the world, the next minute some secretary’s running you over with a lawnmower.” Joan
 

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 “Have a drink. It’ll make me look younger.” Roger
"You don’t know how to drink. Your whole generation, you drink for the wrong reasons. My generation, we drink because it’s good, because it feels better than unbuttoning your collar, because we deserve it. We drink, because it’s what men do." Roger Sterling

 “Not every little girl gets to do what they want. The world could not support that many ballerinas.” Maria

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“Why it is that whenever a man takes you to lunch around here, you’re the dessert?" Peggy

 

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 “You’re sorry you forgot to inform me what I’m supposed to think. Guess what? I think all by myself!” Betty

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“It’s your life. You don’t know how long it’s gonna be but you know it’s got a bad ending. We have to move forward. As soon as you can figure out what that is.” Don Draper

Last Call-The Final Season Of Mad Men

Mad Men Promo Poster designed by Pop Artist Milton Glaser via

  We don't know what Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner has in store for his characters in the final season of Mad Men which begins tonight...but we do know that once again change is the center of it all. The question remains,however,with all the change swirling around Mr. Weiner's main character Don Draper -will Don change?  Don may exist in a society that is moving much faster than he can cope with, in a world that isn't waiting for him to get his act together-if he ever can, and that builds the anxiety, fear and pain that is so often Don Draper.  Handsome, brilliant,charming and a train wreck of a man.  A man, however, that much like the times he is living in must change or get left again.  Can Don become the man we think he really wants to be? With his life in shambles he has to start again ,but does he start a new chapter or just keep falling?  

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Whatever lies ahead for Don Draper and all of the Mad Men characters we have watched make their way,  and try to find their footing, through the most turbulent of American periods, we have lots to look forward to--not the least of which is the extraordinary design of this series- Its meticulous attention to every detail of the period and of course...the clothes! 

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 We can trace the evolution of the characters and dramatic change of the country through Janie Bryant's costumes-from the late 50's to the early 70's.  Housewife style, sex-kitten necklines, Jackie Kennedy hats and gloves, Dior's new look,  Mini skirts and Mod -Janie Bryant has captured and chronicled not only the period in American fashion but also the evolution of each character she dressed in pitch perfect style. 

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 We know only one thing about Season 7-the clothes will be groovy!  Here are some fave looks from seasons past--Stay tuned!

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"Are You Alone?" Season 6 of Mad Men Starts Tonight!

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"Prepare to take a great leap forward"-Don Draper, Season 6 Mad Men

At long last Season 6 of Mad Men premieres tonight!!  When last we left Don Draper he was sitting at yet another bar when a woman approaches him and asks him "Are you alone?" 

For Don Draper, as well as the entire ensemble of AMC's Mad Men, this looks like the question that will swirl around the new season judging by the promo poster- designed by  1960s graphic artist Brian Sanders...

...and lest we forget that Season 6 of Mad Men will sit in the midst of 1968 so no doubt change will also be the undercurrent on which Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce and friends will ride.

Season 5 of Mad men was dark and troubled and we were left with that question again- is Don Draper alone?  A question I think Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner will ask of all his characters in Season 6 which could be filled with anxiety, stress, upheaval and Mad Men style angst.  I can't wait!

We don't know much about what Matthew Weiner has created for this Mad Men ride, but we do know that whatever the new season has in store for Don, Roger, Megan, Betty, Peggy, Pete, Joan...the clothes will be fabulous!  Costume designer Janie Bryant never disappoints as she dresses the Mad Men characters to tell us their stories in pitch perfect style.

For a fun way to review and revisit the past seasons of Mad Men visit the series fave illustrator Dyna Moe's Tumblr- and if like me you are totally hooked on the fashion of Mad Men  check out  Dyna Moe's character Paper Dolls! 

Dressing Well is the Best Revenge-Mad Men Returns!

Seventeen months is a long time to be without not only one of the best dramas on television, but also my favorite TV closet.  At long last Season 5 of Mad Men premieres tonight!

Sure I want to see if Don gets married, if Betty stays married, if Joan and Roger even think about marriage, if Peggy Olsen takes over the agency, and if anyone ever empties an ashtray...but what I really want to see is what everyone,especially Betty, will be wearing.  

 Madmen costume designer Janie Bryant describes Betty's look as "... quite simple but so gorgeous. And you know, you still see women like this. That beautiful classic style from the period that they've carried on for their entire lives..."

Bryant defines Betty's wardrobe to reveal the character her role as wife and mother and her reality "...its about having that image and maintaining that sense of perfection, so it's sort of how everyone sees her from the outside and not so much what's on the inside." Beautifully portrayed by January Jones, Betty Draper carries a cool serene exterior that hides to perfection the fragility that lies under the cashmere and pearls.

Of course to go with all the wonderful clothes, bags, shoes and jewelry...Betty also usually has The Best accessory...Jon Hamm!

Annie Leibovitz for Vanity Fair

Come Visit Applause and see why I think Dressing Well is Betty Draper's Best Revenge!  Welcome back Mad Men-cannot wait to see what you will be wearing in 1966!

Images via AMCTV