Sometimes going Mad is a good thing

Yesterday evening I discovered perhaps the coolest online version of paper dolls ever created, over at my good friend Sher’s fantastic blog. I immediately sprinted (if only in my mind) over to the AMC website, my Lucite purse trailing in the wind, my perfectly coiffed hair teetering dangerously close to falling out of place, in order to turn myself into a Mad Men character as quickly as possible!

Yes, dearest readers, that’s right, just days after their announcement of a contest for a walk-on role on the show, Mad Men has found a way to turn every one of their adoring fans into cast members: a Mad Men character generator.

As someone who never grew out of playing with dolls, loves fashion and is a huge fan of MM, I found it positively exhilarating (not to mention ridiculously fun!) to turn myself into a new Sterling Cooper office gal. I like to think I’d give Joan a good run for her money in the vixen department, yet veer on the sweeter, good girl side alla Peggy. Perhaps in my younger days I might have even been a model like Betty Draper.

If you too want to morph yourself into a MM character, it’s as easy as humming the tune to Mad Men theme song. Pop over to the AMC site and suit (or dress) up in your favourite quintessential early sixties look, add an extra prop or two, and pick a setting where you think your character would most feel at home.

Since discovering this awesome MM generator on Sher’s blog, I’ve subsequently spotted at least three of my gorgeous blogging friends who’ve transformed into wildly chic Mad Men ladies, too. Gina from For the Modern Pin-Up, Andi from Andi B. Goode, and Amy from I Love Retro Things. You all look sensational, gals!

If you’re curious as to what my MM alter-ego looks like, here she is.




Oddly they did not have an exact match to my hair colour, which I thought was funny, as it’s quite similar to Joan’s and thus would have made a lot of sense to include (also, for some strange reason my character is missing one of her shoes). Nevertheless I think this is a fairly decent virtual representation of myself, which was worlds of fun to create! If you’re a fan of this show, be sure to swing on by the AMC site and go Mad, Men that is! :)

Are you Mad Men material?

That’s the question Banana Republic, in conjunction with AMC, is asking fans of this popular (and wildly stylish) show. If you feel like you were born to roam the halls of Sterling Cooper, you're invited to swing by your nearest Banana Republic location (between July 21st and August 11th) to pick up an application for your chance to score a “walk on” part on an episode of Man Men.



Along with your entry form, applicants need to submit a photo of themselves – but not just any ol’ snapshot, you need to show the good folks at AMC you very best Mad Man inspired outfit! Tell me, does it get any more thrilling for a fan of this awesome TV programme than to have a chance to show off your impeccable vintage fashion skills?

Whether your inner Mad Man (or woman!) channels the sultry vixen-esque look of Joan, the prim and proper mother next-door style of Betty, or the sweet but ever so slightly flirtatious look that Peggy sports, it’s time to dig into your closet for your best early 1960s pieces and get those camera lenses clicking!



The incredibly lucky winner of this (potentially once in a lifetime) contest will be handpicked by Man Men creator Matthew Weiner himself, and will receive, along with their immortal spot on television, a $1,000 Banana Republic gift certificate. (Please do note though that the contest is only open to residents of America and Canada.)

If you need some style pointers when it comes to nailing the Mad Men era look to a tee, I highly recommend checking out Super Kawaii Mama’s series of posts that cover this very topic. (Should you be looking for a gorgeous pen on a chain such as the one Joan is rarely seen without, be sure to check out the link to just such an item I mentioned in a post last May.)

What do you think, my wonderful readers, would you want to enter this contest? Do you think you have what it takes to land a role on the coolest show to ever pay homage to the sixties? While I don’t think I’ll be entering myself, I will certainly be following the results closely online and plan to post information on the winner once it becomes available.

To everyone who participates in this fantastic contest, I whole heartedly wish you the very best of luck! Have a blast dressing up in your favourite Mad Men look, and be sure to flash the sort of confident smile that might just land you the chance to rub elbows with the Drapers!


{*Both images in this post via AMC*}