In its eight-year run on AMC, Mad Men did more than present a period piece about an advertising firm and its retro culture.
It created an entire movement in fashion that became an impetus for American men and women to start dressing better.
[img src="http://admin.mashable.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/JANIE-BRYANT091-cropcElisabeth-Caren-copy.jpg" caption="Janie Bryant, costume designer for "Mad Men."" credit="Elisabeth Caren" alt="Janie Bryant"]
As we bid farewell to our favorite characters, we also say goodbye to the gorgeous, often breathtaking costumes that were inspired by the '60s. Before Sunday’s series finale, Mashable caught up with the show’s costume designer, Janie Bryant, to get insight into Mad Men's most iconic looks.
1. Betty Draper, Season 1 Episode 9
The look: A '50s-inspired ball gown
Background: Betty Draper, played by January Jones, attends a model casting for Coca Cola. Once a model herself, she quickly realizes just how rapidly the industry has changed as she sits in the lobby next to trendy young women.
Why it's iconic: "That episode was such a beautiful episode story-wise and with costume design. She actually had 14 costume changes alone in that episode and that's not including the rest of the cast and extras. That's a dress that is so iconic to me. Betty's in that pink and black strapless 1950s dress. It was the dress she wore and looked very old-fashioned, but was a very critical moment that showed just how out of touch and old-fashioned she was at that point. She was already in the 1960s at that point and the dress was very five years ago, so very early- to mid-'50s."
2. Don Draper, Season 3 Episode 8
The look: Silk sport coat
Background: On a trip out to the West Coast we finally get a clearer glimpse into the life of Don Draper (Jon Hamm), and a more relaxed side of the troubled man.
Why it's iconic: "I love when Don goes to California in that beautiful sports coat. He also wears that again when he goes to Italy to see Betty. This is the first time when the show illustrates Don in a different way; he's more relaxed, and he's just gorgeous. It's like he was released from New York and it's the same feeling when he's in Italy, there's a sense of freedom."
3. Joan Holloway, Season 4 Episode 2
The look: Custom red sheath with bow
Background: In one of the show's most memorable scenes --an office holiday party-- Roger Sterling (John Slattery) says to Joan Holloway (Christina Hendrickson): "The red dress, the one with the bow on the back, that makes you look like a present.”
Why it's iconic: "I remember having a fitting with Christina, who has the most beautiful female body -- her hourglass shape is just perfect. Matthew Weiner wanted to sit in that day. After we put that dress on, it inspired him to write that line from Roger Sterling. Joan's an image of perfection, and that dress really showcases all of her."
4. Megan Draper, Season 5 Episode 1
The look: Black chiffon dress
Background: Megan (Jessica Paré) performs impromptu at Don's 40th birthday party to "Zou Bisou Bisou" in one of the most talked-about moments of Season 5.
Why it's iconic: "That was such an important moment. It was the first time any of the characters wore a mini-dress. I love the whole movement of Megan when she's dancing and the whole dance and coordination with the costume. That's a vintage dress where we had the sleeves rebuilt. There's embellished crystals around the neckline. I love the element of Megan in black to illustrate her being French-Canadian, which is simple yet modern."
5. Megan Draper, Season 6 Episode 5
The look: Pink brocade dress
Background: Megan (Paré) attends an award ceremony with Don, on the night when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated.
Why it's iconic: "Megan is such a fun character to design for because she's a very fashionable one. I wanted to design a dress that was true to her and fashion-forward. The gown she wears for that night has long sleeves and bejeweled cuffs with influences from Morocco, which was new style and trendy for the time."
6. Peggy Olson, Season 7 Episode 12
The look: Plaid dress
Background: Peggy Olson (Elizabeth Moss) finally moves into her own office at McCann Erickson and realizes that for the first time, everything is under her control.
Why it's iconic: "Plaid was always a signature of Peggy from the beginning. I wanted to keep that throughout the series for her. We found a dress for this scene that was ten sizes too big. I purchased it because of the fabric. We reworked it and put a different skirt. In the end it's this iconic look where she's wearing her sunglasses with a cigarette. It's one of my all-time favorite moments. The energy, the confidence, everything."