We love AMC’s Mad Men. The utter attention to period detail that goes into the show is amazing – combine that with style, 1960′s glamour, seduction, and drama, whats not to like? To top it all off, the fashion and accessories are over the top perfection. We were lucky enough to connect with Janie Bryant – highly talented costume designer for MadMen and we asked her a few questions on what goes on behind the scenes when selecting out the gorgeous accessories for the cast.
RingSpotters: What are three adjectives that you would use to describe the rings of the MadMen era?
Janie Bryant: Gorgeous, colorful, and large!

RingSpotters: Where do you find the rings you use for the show – are they antique? custom made? a combination?
Janie Bryant: Most of the cocktail rings we use for the show are vintage pieces from the period. We search vintage stores around Los Angeles, and I also work with vendors from around the United States who specialize in vintage pieces from the era.


RingSpotters: What is your favorite ring (engagement or cocktail) from the show?
Janie Bryant: Jane Sterling’s engagement ring is probably my favorite!
RingSpotters: A number of characters have gotten engaged and married throughout the show’s four seasons – Betty Francis (Draper), Joan Harris, Jane Sterling, Trudy Campbell, Megan Calvet. What goes into selecting the character’s engagement rings?
Janie Bryant: Engagement rings and wedding bands are a slightly different story than the cocktail rings and other accessories we use for the show. Wedding bands, glasses, and watches are all part of the props department while as Costume Designer, I choose the accessories used on the show like necklaces, cocktail rings, purses, and hats. What I can tell you is that the rings are researched heavily with magazines and old movies to find the right styles for the time period and character.

Digging the jewelry yet? Here’s more inspiration get gorgeous, colorful, and large this summer.

Strikeout. 15 seasons of the Bachelor and 15 break-ups. I guess ABC really isn’t that good of a matchmaker after all. But hey, we’re all still watching aren’t we?
Season 13: Jason Mesnick and Melissa Rycroft

Engagement called off minutes after the finale aired
Ring: 1.94 carat marquise-cut diamond ring encrusted with 170 smaller diamonds set in platinum designed by Neil Lane. Total of 3.18 carats
Season 14: Jake Pavelka and Vienna Girardi
Broke up summer of 2010
Ring: $50000 2.72-carat princess cut diamond set in platinum from Neil Lane. Surrounded by 70 diamonds.
Season 15: Brad Womack and Emily Maynard
Ring: 3-carat Neil Lane ring set on platinum delicately accented with 263 round brilliant-cut diamonds around a “romantic” central cushion-cut diamond. Said to be $50,000.
We are big Gossip Girl fans and we drooled over the fancy yellow three stone Harry Winston engagement ring that Louis presented to Miss Blair Waldorf at the end of season 4. Quite the stunner isn’t it?
Every week I watch American Idol and every week I drool over the rings that Jennifer Lopez wears. I once bought 100 thin bangles to wear on both wrists after seeing her rock the look years ago. She’s never afraid to push the boundaries of style while looking elegant. And with the camera focused on her face and hands every week, why not wear 5 sparkly rings together? LOVE!