The Hunger Games Fashion

I never expected fashion to play a major role in The Hunger Games. (I'll try to steer clear of specific spoilers here, but I might give away some general things so stick to looking at pictures if you're still waiting to read the books.) Even though fashion is not a part of Katniss' everyday world, once she volunteers for the games, she is polished, primped, buffed, and styled far beyond her comfort level. The work is necessary to entice the viewers in the Capitol and win her favor with fans and sponsors. Katniss is not at all comfortable with her duty as a style star, but as the series progresses she learns to wield the power of fashion to her advantage and ultimately that of Panem.

The Hunger Games: Fight Fear with Fire by fashionbeccafabulous

Only one event comes along in District 12 that requires specific dress, The Reaping. Katniss and the other teenagers turn out in the best dress they can manage. For this reaping, Katniss' mother lets her wear one of her own dresses, a simple blue one. I created two options, unsure of how fancy the dress would be. The one on the right gets my vote though. Which do you think?

Reaping Clothes : Katniss Everdeen : The Hunger Games by fashionbeccafabulous

Katniss expresses her confusion for Capitol fashions in her observations of the ever-overdressed Effie Trinket. If a trend exists, Effie will find a way to wear it, and she will manage to do so while wearing every other trend available. Her impractical and fanciful dress is a stark contrast to the simple attire Katniss prefers.

Hunger Games: Effie's Flutter Fashion by fashionbeccafabulous

When it comes time to be presented to the masses, Katniss knows she will never be able to compete with the trained public presence of career tributes like Glimmer from the much wealthier District 1. She is sexy, poised, and comfortable with fancy dresses and high heels.

Hunger Games: Glimmer Glamour by fashionbeccafabulous

Once the Games begin, Katniss is allowed to return to her fashion comfort level. She is at home in utilitarian leather boots, basic pants and tee, and useful jacket.

2011 In Books: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins by fashionbeccafabulous

Below are some more of The Hunger Games inspired looks. Which fashions are you most looking forward to seeing in the film?

Hunger Games Style Inspirations by fashionbeccafabulous on polyvore.com

Spring Dresses 2012

Spring dresses usually mean florals. Large floral prints are popular again (because they will always be), but there are a few other strong trends this season for the fauna averse. Stripes, graphic prints, color blocking, print mixing, and strong pastels are all big trends for 2012. Here's a little something for the trendphile and the traditionalist.

Top: yellow lace balloon mini dress, ASOS $80.57 (and in plus sizes!)
red print asymmetrical dress, Plastic Island at Nordstrom $108
green color block silk dress, Donna Morgan at Nordstrom $138
Middle: red and white striped maxi dress, Anthropologie $148
blue asymmetrical tonal dress, Vince Camuto $128 (Larger sizes available at Nordstrom.)
sky blue pleat dress, Mod Cloth $127.99
striped silk dress, Banana Republic $130
Bottom: seersucker with neon trim, Jessica Simpson at Macy's $98
yellow floral halter sundress, Anthropologie $158
mixed print mini dress, The Limited $53.94
teal crochet sheath dress, INC International at Macy's $140

Alexander McQueen Fall Winter 2012

In four seasons, Sarah Burton has used prairie fauna, ice queens, the ocean, and flowers as her inspirations. Each show has been lovely. The fabric caressed, stitched and decorated with the greatest care. This season is no different from the snowy schoolgirls

to the elaborate petal dresses made of mongolian fur, ostrich feathers and pleated silk.

When it was announced Kate Middleton was wearing Alexander McQueen to marry Prince William, I feared the label was heading for a softer, more romantic image. Not that there's anything wrong with romance and frothy dreams. That's why I always looked forward to John Galliano's confections for Christian Dior.

 While I appreciate that Burton decided to have a show of skill instead of a show for sale (before Alexander McQueen's death, Sarah Burton's job was to translate his runway show into the more wearable clothing they would sell the upcoming season), I feel she's channeling Galliano, not McQueen. McQueen's shows had tension, an off-centerness. One could argue that the gleaming visors and horse-shoe trimmed shoes provide that contrast to this flower extravaganza, but I disagree. No doubt, these clothes are beautiful and finely made, but I have no story review for you this year because these are Dior clothes to drool over, not McQueen characters breathed to life.

Image source: vogue.com.

Paris Fashion Week FW12: The Japanese

Comme des Garçons presented a show made for paper doll, or perhaps the show was best suited to flat Teletubbies who wore paper doll clothes. While there were interesting shapes and some fun geometry, mostly the show focused on the flat and stuck to cliches like leopard print and sequins. I guess it was a commentary on the state of fashion.
Issey Miyake introduced new fabric technology and innovations, which are a little hard to follow in an online slideshow. I most enjoyed the fun tights.
Junya Watanabe put punk rock styling on a collection that bounced between masculine and feminine. Classic menswear in restyled shaped mashed up against prairie dresses that eventually turned very dark and interesting.
Tsumori Chisato never takes the typical approach. When most designers go for a skiing inspiration, they focus on the clothing, but Chisato took inspiration from the entire ski vacation with gondolas, scenery and slopes playfully appearing in prints with a mix of colors, knits and shapes.
Yohji Yamamoto mixed a lot of references, but his game of peek-a-boo seemed to be the unifying theme. The models seemed mostly shrouded in draped jersey and oversized knits, but glimpses of their corsets and tassels revealed a surprising risque side.

Image source: style.com

Paris Fashion Week FW12: Giambattista Valli, Pedro Lourenço, Paco Rabanne

Who: Giambattista Valli
What it made us think of: TV static and test patterns
What we liked: monochrome, chrome edged shoes, 60s shapes, bold patterns, coats, metallic lizard
What we didn't: fur (this season's been awful with ill-used fur), sheer slits

Who: Pedro Lourenço
What it made us think of: Pattern blocks and Gallop!
What we liked: TV static prints, riding boots
What we didn't: Widening coats, color blocking

Who: Paco Rabanne
What it made us think of: St. Joan of Studio 54
What we liked: chain mail, blue, silver, gold, metallic trim shoes, cocktail dresses, 60s shifts (this is a 60s revival line, so way to not pull a Balmain) 
What we didn't: Lots of summer here (really, I'm just mad that this stuff isn't in my closet).

Image source: style.com and vogue.com.

Project Runway All Stars: Finale Part 1

We now only have one episode remaining before the Project Runway All Star winner is revealed.
I. Can't. Wait.

What Happened

The designers were challenged to created a five piece collection in four days. After a very cool visit to the Marie Claire offices, the designers had a chance to sketch and hit up Mood before returning to the workroom, which had been divided into three separate work spaces. Each of the judges visited for some Q&A time until Angela arrived with the dreaded All Star Twist (because five looks in four days to win a quarter of a million dollar prize isn't twist enough). The designers would have to create a sixth look for their original models using fabric scraps from their past challenges. Also, they would get 24 hours of help from an eliminated designer. Mondo picked Mila. Austin picked Anthony. And Micheal ruined the alphabet game by picking April (at least he stuck to "M"s and "A"s). After the short help session and best one liner (Anthony called Austin's blouse "Dead white lady."), Joanna kicked out the helpers and gave light-speed critiques. Cliffhanger.

I absolutely hate that they didn't get to do a full collection or at least get more time. These crazy time limits don't make for great fashion. Why couldn't they have had a week or even two?

After The Runway

Mostly this was a rehashing of fights that looked worse because of how they were edited. However, I did like hearing how each designer came to fashion. Mondo talked about a path that involved drawing, studying piano, working with a milliner, doing some junior sportswear in NYC, breaking his hip and moving back home then ending up working in a theater as a stitcher. Austin talked about his road to acceptance and support from his mother. And Michael talked about his very cool mom who never saw anything wrong with his love for fashion from the time he took apart his sister's clothes when he was two.

The Collections So Far

Austin: He says his collection is a mix of Fragonard (French painter), Madame de Pompadour (official chief mistress of Louis XV, eponym of Pompadour/French heels, someone who met The Doctor), modern day rock stars and Hasidic gentleman. Also, it's a wedding theme (surprise). Overall, it's just very Austin from what I can see/understand.

Michael: He is going on a resort safari. This works with the animal print trends and his very resort-ready vibe. He called it a crusade: "Indiana Jones and the Last Costello." I hope he finds ways to make this interesting or it could all have been done before.

Mondo: After struggling to the point of insanity, Mondo landed on a "therapy" theme. He didn't just go for shock therapy (though he included it). He branched out for inspiration from acupuncture and the look of ink blots. It's looking very strong (but I am very biased at this point).

Who Will Win?

My vote is for Mondo. I want him to win. I think his concept has the most potential (I suppose Austin's does, but it's too confusing). Also, he went to a really dark place emotionally, which usually means he made something amazing.

Cast your vote for the winner in the comments. Tell us why, and what you think of this final challenge. Also, what were your favorite one-liners and digs? ("Starlet Scarlett")

Paris Fashion Week FW 12: Haider Ackermann, YSL, Rue du Mail

Who: Haider Ackermann
What it made us think of: How fabric might look flowing through a rainbow hourglass.
What we liked: The draping, cinching, structure, colors, layering, texture, everything. I want this collection to walk off the runway and into my closet. It's some of Haider Ackermann's best work ever.
Who: Yves Saint Laurent
What it made us think of: A sophisticated dominatrix who may also be a cult leader.
What we liked: Belts, leather, structure, chain mail, zippers, calla lily jewelry
What we didn't: Repetition
Who: Rue du Mail
What it made us think of: Variations on TV static and test patterns
What we liked: Color blocking, textures, cutouts, shoes
What we didn't: The variation of techniques often made it feel disjointed.

Image source: style.com