We’ve had a crush on Janie Bryant since the first episode of Mad Men three summers ago - even if it took us half way through the season to learn anything about the costume designer behind the show’s exquisite look.

Since then, she (and the show) have influenced everything from Halloween costumes to Michael Kors’ runway. She works with Brooks Brothers to make Don’s custom suits, which the rest of the world can buy as of Tuesday, but she’s finally about to make her very own leap into the world of fashion.

Instead of launching her own line, which she’ll do eventually, she’s going to start with different licensing projects, putting her time and energy into guest collections so that she can still work on the show.

Kids’ Stuff: You can’t really argue with the fact that little ones look extra cute while wearing designer clothes. Unnecessary? Sure. But still adorable. Especially when said clothes are made by the lovely Stella McCartney. {W}

A Belated Happy Birthday: Mr. Mickey got serenaded by a pretty chic group for his bday this weekend…um, Madonna anyone? And Penelope Cruz, and Beth Ditto, and Pedro Almodovar. Well played, friend! {FWD}

Joanie Got Married: Okay, so this isn’t exactly fashion-related (though the dress looks amazing), but our favorite Mad Men redhead, Christina Hendricks got married and we love her so much we had to post something. Let’s hope her new husband is more of a stand-up guy than that wuss that her alter-ego married. {Just Jared}

Beauty Mark the Calendar: Crazy talented makeup artist Dick Page is coming to town, the Shiseido counter at Bloomies to be exact, on October 21st. We highly suggest making an appearance. {Beauty Counter}

If you’re lost without loads of Fashion Week fêtes on your calendar, you need a ticket to Wednesday’s MAD Paperball.

It’s the first, hopefully annual, benefit for the Museum of Art and Design and one of the few of its kind targeted toward a much younger audience - hence the seriously fun fashion names on the host committee including Rogan Gregory, Chris Benz, the Ruffian boys, Coco Rocha, The Misshapes and Rose McGowan (Mad Men’s Bryan Batt is hosting, too). It starts with a dinner and ends with a dance party DJd by Harley & Cassie, Leo Fitzpatrick and Paul Sevigny - so you really actually can pretend it’s still Fashion Week.

All of the money raised goes toward MAD’s education program for kids. They’re hoping to raise that money with a youthful crowd of fashion and art enthusiasts which is why tickets start at just $150 (which may sound like a lot, but isn’t for a benefit, a party and a good cause).

You can buy your tickets here or here if that doesn’t work. And my dream dress here.

Makes My Heart Sing: It’s taking every ounce of self control not to run down Crosby Street and buy this skirt from Opening Ceremony and wear it everyday. I want it. I need it. But if I do buy it, I will hang my head in shame next year and wonder what came over me. {OpeningCeremony}

Pepe La Pugh: Remember Gareth’s cube? Well just in case it meant more to you than to me and you’re still trying to recapture that moment in the garage, you can buy the “double-Mohican” head piece created by Pugh and Ruth Hogben at ShowStudio’s shop. {ShowStudio}

WWJoanDo: Shirley Manson and Elijah Wood star in Oliver Peoples’ Spring lookbook. The totally random pair channel the stars of Mad Men - probably Joan and Don - and look pretty fantastic doing so. {Blackbook}

The Puppet Show: Fashion finger puppets are coming our way thanks to the kids at Rubbish. Put us down for one mini ALT. {NY Times}

What’s Your Damage? A while back we heard that Heathers was coming to Broadway. Today comes news that it’s getting remade for TV. {Variety}

Sporty Spice: Who knew Resurrection’s Katy Rodriguez was such a jock? Because really an unassisted triple play is pretty major. {VF Daily}

Bye Bye Birdie: Faran’s take on the stylings of Ann Margaret, Betty Draper, Mona Sterling and the rest of the Mad Men ladies in the second episode of the season. {AMC}

Bend it Like the Other Beckham: Heidi Mount plays Posh Spice in this on-line only editorial from V. Though “chasing her kids all day,” really? {V}

Not So Fast: Gen Art, the nonprofit organization known for supporting emerging designers (including at points Zac Posen, Sari Gueron and Phillip Lim) is having serious financial trouble. This tipster says, “Gen Art deserves to die.” {Gawker}

Biba-licious: Biba’s up there with Halston as one of the brands we can’t quite keep track of. It’s just been announced that online retailer Marisot will launch Biba for fall using inspiration from past collection. Um, okay. {VogueUK}

Made Over & Under: Trinny and Susannah, the British makeover artists extraordinaire, are coming to America. Actually, they’re already here, taking Eric Wilson shopping and plucking poor souls out of Times Square and into Zara, including one woman who’d never heard of Elle MacPherson. {NYTimes}

In my ramp up to last Sunday’s season premiere of Mad Men, I re-watched the first season. Of course, the ladies’ outfits (and Don, duh) made me swoon just as much as the first time around. But something else stood out that I hadn’t paid much attention to initially—the sleepwear. Most specifically Betty Draper’s short, flowy, chiffon nighties.

Now, I still pretty much look like a college girl in a dorm when I crawl into bed at night, but I’m seriously considering stocking up on a few of these romantic numbers. Don’t you love how Betty lounges around all day in one sometimes? (She evens shoots at neighbors pigeons!) And they do look incredibly comfortable, even for hot summer nights. Plus, the little robes that go over them? Love!

I found some great ones on Etsy here and here that I’m loving lots.

What about you? Would you wear proper lady pajamas a la Betty?

I’m currently in the middle of a retro sneaker moment. I’m feeling little shorts and sneaks without socks as my casual August uniform.
And my new blue Chucks are in the process of being worn in properly as I write.

But the whole look got me thinking about my old Tretorns. I remember going with my 7th and 8th grade cheerleading squads (yes, I’ll cop to middle school cheerleading) to this store in Indianapolis called Shoe Carnival, where they gave all these crazy discounts if you did weird stuff like, say, a cheer or some awkward game. I can’t even describe to you how random this massive monstrosity was. There were lots of flashing lights and megaphones and quite possibly, actual clowns. But I digress. Not only did those Tretorns look super cute with our uniforms (Go Wildcats!) but I wore them constantly with every preppy thing I owned.

This is the perfect end of the work day find that makes me smile…and will help you waste countless hours if you’ve got them to spare.

You know I love Mad Men: its impeccable styling, every perfect little detail in the set design, and of course the stellar writing and acting.

Now, thanks to the good folks at AMC, you can insert an animated version of yourself into scenes from the show. Or just create the Mad Men version of you - from body type, to hair and makeup, clothing, and accessories, right done to a ciggie or a martini if you’d like.

The little lady pictured is the first one I’ve done of myself - who knows how many I will create before I tire of this program?

I just hope cartoon Don Draper would hit on cartoon me.

Heads are so hot right now. This summer, it started with the resurgence of the hat. Over the past few years, we’ve heard people asking, “Why doesn’t anyone wear hats anymore…like men in the fifties…like Humphrey Bogart? It’s so classy!”

Enter Mad Men, to show that yes, those hats were damn classy. Sometimes people just need a little boost to start wearing a new (or new/old) trend. Though currently the look is less business and more casual - it’s not just for company presidents and Hollywood stars.

We hardly recognized January Jones in the August issue of Elle since we really only know (and love) her as the WASP-y chic, increasingly independent wife of Don Draper (swoon!) on Mad Men. She actually looks a little like Naomi Watts here with Donatella.

But we digress. She looks slick and cool and we appreciate that they didn’t do a modern “Betty” photo shoot, what we’re really excited about is that this means that Mad Men will be returning to us soon. August 16th in fact.

Of course we love the drama and the plots. But what lured us in from the beginning was the styling and the set design. It’s just perfection. Who knew AMC had it in them?

Uh oh.

One of the upsides to this whole recession thing has been the total drop-off of celebrity clothing lines. We thought we were free and clear of the phenomenon for at least a couple years, but alas, no luck.

WWD broke the story on Hilary Duff’s new line for DKNY a la Rachel Bilson. This one’s called Femme and includes fringed tanks, faux-leather leggings, t-shirts with detachable chain necklaces and crystal strapped tanks. She’s grown out of her Stuff by Hilary Duff line and is excited to be a part of “the perfect line for young girls who can’t afford to buy a lot of clothes these days.”

Then, tucked into a strange story about DVF’s luncheon for Jessica Alba’s Elle shoot is this: ” [Alba] has her own fashion project in the works.” But we can’t even speculate on what Jessica Alba has to offer the struggling fashion industry.

Instead, we’ll take solace in the news that Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant is finally launching her own line and keep our heads down and our minds focused on next week.

Our Tom Ford wardrobe dreams have been slashed much too soon.

Arianne Phillips, best known as Madonna’s personal stylist, will be dressing the cast for A Single Man. Her past film credits include Walk the Line and Swept Away. Her past Madonna credits include the icon’s last four tours, loads of Givenchy and an influx of Gucci leather jackets.

While we might not always love Madonna’s sartorial choices, we did love June Carter Cash’s and can’t wait to see what Phillips does with another 1960’s cast.

Meanwhile, Ford’s said to be collaborating with a couple of Mad Men’s production designers on the sets.

So if Tom can convince Don Draper to make a cameo, this should be the best looking film of the year.

The first person to DIY the tulle leggings at Nicole Farhi, and send us a pair, wins a prize.

Not sure what it is yet, but you’ll want it.

Promise.

The Brit-only designer showed a Peter Som-inspired collection of dresses and skirts layered over sheer leggings and long sleeved shirts for a delicate, if not at times confusing, look at the Royal Opera House yesterday morning.

We loved the way Farhi threw a matching printed bra and skirt over a differently printed top, or the way the stylist did. We loved the Betty-Draper-goes-to-the-beach looks toward the end. And we loved the sun hats and the orange blush that made it look like the models were trying really hard not to smile.

There was nothing fashion forward about it, which is especially noticeable in London, but it was pretty - and comfortable.