Project Runway: The Hunger Games Edition

L-A: Ally is sick and I kind of need the mental health day. Or something. Whatever. We like reading what our unpaid staff have to say, so we got them to do some writing. Expect to see funtimes from Anthony, Mel, Intern Krista and Annabelle over the next two weeks. Today is from Anthony on a book I mean to read, but haven’t gotten around to because while I like YA, I have issues with dystopian shit. I will give in though.

Anthony: For a long time, I put off reading The Hunger Games. I knew it was popular, and there was a good chance I would be a fan, but I didn’t feel the urge to commit. Actually, I was afraid it would delve into that supernatural teen romance melodrama that we’re all plagued with thanks to Stephanie Myers’ elaborate, sparkle ridden dreams. But recently, at the recommendation of a good friend whose taste in books is pretty solid, I picked up the first book in The Hunger Games Trilogy.

I’m now obsessed.

It’s hard to describe why I love The Hunger Games so much. Why I think Katniss needs to get over herself and just accept her hotness. Why Gale is kind of a nuisance. Or why Peeta is total dreamboat. It’s been a while since a series of books has captured my attention so completely and I had been trying to sort out why until I read a review with this fantastic line,

“It’s like Gladiator meets Project Runway”.

An observation so astute and concise, once I read it I felt as free as Angelina’s leg at the Oscars. It was so obvious; the leg and the comparison. Fashion is a major plot point in The Hunger Games trilogy, but it’s really in the first book that the narrative switches from fantasy literature to Tim Gunn’s Finishing School.

Without giving too much away to anyone who hasn’t read the books yet (and I stress yet), The Hunger Games contestants are styled by citizens of The Capitol, where haute couture is casual wear and where Gaga would blend into the background. It’s all about colour, contrast, body modification and glitz. Not glamour, but good, old fashion kitschy glitz. Almost like a city filled with Real Housewives and with more glitter.

With the movie being released next month, I thought I’d put together my own looks:

A True Capitol Lady:

The goal of any good Capitol resident is to stand apart from the crowd so a gangbang of colours and patterns are totally cool. Since no one does ambivalently crazy fashion like Scandinavia, I started looking for dresses on Marimekko’s site.

The Liisa dress is a colour blocking dream and very Capitol worthy; when your dress has more vowels than stitching, you’re on the right track.

To punch up the glitz, I found some nail-spiration from Refinery29 and took a dip into Sephora’s catalog. I figure some gold glitter on the face – yes, the whole face – and some virbrant purples and blues on the eyes and lips would complement the colours in the dress. For accessories, you can never go wrong with a floppy hat and these killer earrings from Etsy are just too good to pass up. Finish off your look with these sparkly peep-toe shoes from Marc Jacobs.

You’re ready to hit The Capitol!

 

 

A Proper Capitol Gent:

Now, for the fellas who want to watch a bunch of attractive teens fight to the death in The Hunger Games, you obviously want something comfortable since you’ll be sitting quite a bit. If I were to live in The Capitol, I’d want to keep my personal sense of style, which means plaid, sneakers and chinos. I love these Earl Grey pants from Bonobos and paired with this colourful plaid shirt,

I feel I’d be able to bring Lumberjack Chic to the mainstream. Most of the men wear makeup in The Capitol, so I guess I’ll have to choose some too… twist my rubber arm, y’all! I’ve never been much for lip makeup so I’d go with a nice, soft stain just for highlighting effects. The real pop would come from my eyes and this Kat Von D eyeshadow kit has the perfect colours to pair with my plaid. Tacky as it may sound, the only wise choice would be the powder blue shadow; find an eyeliner to match and I’m set, really. And since I hate wearing anything but sneakers, these sick leather Converse kicks by John Varvatos will be perfect.

The final touch? A little slap of gold in the form of this ice-cream charm.

After looking at these fashion boards, I feel like we’ll see some variation of these looks at Coachella this year. Maybe I’m not cut out for Capitol life… or maybe I’ve spent too much time around Vancouver hipsters. To quote Tim, “I’m concerned”.