Capitol Couture - Hunger Games Inspired Fashion for Net-A-Porter

The fashion of the Hunger Game's Capitol is about to make its way here in reality. Net-A-Porter paired up with Trish Summerville to design a new clothing line reminiscent of the eccentric and extravagant fashion the Capitol citizens are known for.

Move over Cinna, we have Trish Summerville!

Photo Courtesy of  capitolcouture.pn

While the citizens of the Capitol are known to dress in outlandish costumes complete with candy coloured hair and bright makeup, I expect the line to be more subdued, reminiscent of Cinna's designs for District 12. Net-A-Porter says the capsule collection will launch in November, featuring "laser-cut leather, streamlined silhouettes and dramatic evening-wear."

Personally, I'm hoping for a recreation of Katniss' mockingjay dress and some amazing boots.

The collaboration between Summerville, Net-A-Porter and Lionsgate is not the only part of the Hunger Games fashion. As a part of the it's viral marketing campaign, the marketing team for the new movie, Catching Fire, launched the Capitol Couture website. The site features different designers, their opinions on how they would dress the different characters and what their interviews would be like, as well as collections that could have been inspired by the 12 districts.

Photo Courtesy of disneydreaming.com

Photo Courtesy of fanpop.com

Photo Courtesy of  capitolcouture.pn

While this collection delights us fashion-lovers and fans of the book, others are not so sure about the message, debating whether or not designing such a line is causing us to "become" the Capitol.

I understand the message of the books, having read them soon after the first movie came out - the Capitol thrives on violence between the districts as a course of pleasure and entertainment - which is seen by the way they dress, in luxury and extravagance. The gross perversion of the Capitol is meant to be an extreme mirror of the life of the 1%, or even the first world compared to developing nations. We lay back in our ignorance akin to the majority of the Capitol's citizens, while our governments condone wars and violence against each other in countries such as Syria or Iraq. While I wouldn't say we consider these wars to be entertainment compared to the Hunger Games, it's a form of control, used by both the Capitol government and the governments of our world.

Photo Courtesy of  capitolcouture.pn

I can't say I disagree with Suzanne Collin's message, however, I do disagree with those saying that by designing a line inspired by the Districts and the Hunger Games, we are suddenly becoming the Capitol. I get that yes, by slapping the Hunger Games name on it, it becomes a part of the viral marketing for the new movie, Catching Fire, and yes, it will be making money due to the viral campaign as well as the name. Summerville is an award-winning costume designer, where the fashions she designed for the Capitol received attention from fashion- and beauty-lovers around the world. Who couldn't love the sleek lines of Katniss' and Peeta's opening ceremonies costumes, or the whimsy of Effie's promotional photos featuring Paperself false lashes. Is it really a surprise that when she finally designed a collection for Net-A-Porter, available to all, that she wouldn't use her well loved designs for the Hunger Games movies and adjust them to suit our own needs? While it may be considered easy success, it also means she knows her audience and is catering to them and current trends, in this case, the new movie. Can we really consider using one's own designs to inspire a new collection as giving in to the same values as the Hunger Game's Capitol? Is it truly any different than the new collections appearing every fashion week?

Photo Courtesy of  capitolcouture.pn

Lace and Denim

Remember my Seattle trip where I drowned my sorrows at the All Saints store? This little lace number is one of the two dresses I bought. It's super versatile and I can wear it anywhere, at any time, for anything. Basically, it's my new love.

The denim jacket tones down the more formal aspect of a shift dress and makes it school appropriate. A few gold bracelets help to jazz it up a bit, and this Botkier purse is the perfect size to fit my iPad in.

Dress: All Saints (Old) (Similar here)

Jacket: American Eagle

Bag: Botkier Lucy

Shoes: Franco Sarto

Back To School Basics

It's been nearly three weeks since I went back to school, and time is passing amazingly quickly. This semester is going to be over very soon I think, but perhaps it's because I'm so swamped with homework. I tend to have a standard uniform for school - something comfy and chic at the same time. While the weather isn't quite cool enough for my standard sweater dress and leggings ensemble, I'm still wearing skirts galore.

I definitely prefer to dress in basics during the school year. No Jeffrey Campbell Litas for me there... usually. I use to wear a lot of kitten heels and flats to school, but as I've kind of run them down (ie. they have no soles anymore), I'll be wearing pumps more often. Not as comfortable, but I'm usually sitting anyways.

I couldn't resist buying this skirt when I saw it. It's so pretty and reminds me of a mermaid (my name is Arielle)!

 For school, flats or wedges are my go-to. These ones by Sam Edelman are super comfortable and the coral-reddish colour gorgeous! Makes for a nice pop of colour when I end up in neutrals. You'll definitely see them in my cooler weather outfits.

A watch is an essential accessory, especially if you have profs who are really picky with cell phone use. A chunky headband added a bit of Gossip Girl inspiration.

Top: TNA (Similar here)

Bottom: American Eagle (Old)

Shoes: Sam Edelman (Old) (similar here and here)

Accessories: Michael Kors watch (Old) (Similar here)

Sunday Brunch

Some old shots of what I wore to brunch with a friend during the summer.
I love Sunday brunch with my girl friends. It's an awesome way to relax during school and catch up with everyone. It also gives me a chance to wear some of the dressier clothes in my closet. On this particular day, my friend and I tried out a new place called Monki. Their hashbrowns are to die for! Normally we tend to go wherever our cravings take us, whether it be pancakes or dim sum. I can't wait to try out some of the other brunches and patios on 17th Ave. though.

I fell in love with the cutouts on this dress. It's so subtly sexy, even though I definitely need to use double-sided sticky tape in order to keep everything in place. Cutouts along with the super deep v seem to make the top a bit more flimsy, and if I'm not careful, well...

Water colour prints are my absolute favourite type of print. Normally, I'm not much of a print person, but if it's a soft water colour, I'll be all over it. I can't help myself, I just love soft, feminine, flowing designs. Water colours are perfect for that.

I kept my accessories simple as this dress is a bit of a standout piece. A few gold bangles and a small flower headband are a nice way to accentuate the warm off-white of the dress and pink and green print.

Zara dress (old)
Nine West clutch (old)
Barbie sandals (old)

Blue Skies

 Finally got around to wearing this electric blue skirt today in order to adopt two new rabbits. You can check them out on my instagram, they're super cute! 

I adopted the rabbits from a friend whom I think I can officially say is the king of adoption. He takes in so many animals that need homes, and his parents said he had to give these two guys away to make more room in the house and save money. I had two rabbits when I was younger, both of which passed away a few years ago. This opportunity came up right as my family was thinking about getting a new one. So happy to have some cute little fellas to trip over again!

I've had this skirt for a few weeks now - it came in right before I left for Seattle. Unfortunately, I ordered a size too large. Thank goodness my family is full of good seamstresses who were able to put a dart in the back (and line it up with the seams). Thanks lil sis! I really ought to learn some basic sewing skills before I move out.

 A new favourite bracelet I picked up in Seattle. I think I'm going to replace the black cord with a gold chain and clasp when I have time to do a bit of DIY-ing.

 What do I love? Asymmetry... zippers... blue.... This ASOS skirt has it all!

 I'm still looking for the perfect crop top to go with this skirt. Zara has a few I want to try on with it, but for now, a white tank top will do. This one is VERY sheer, and low cut, so I threw on a white bandeau underneath. I'll need pick up a few new colours though to jazz it up a bit.

 Another love purchase courtesy of Zara. I don't know what I would do without that store. I'm so glad they have an online shop now, as I find their stock changes so quickly and once I do decide I want to make a purchase, they're out of stock! 

Top: H&M
Bottom: ASOS
Shoes: Zara

Vancouver and Seattle Photo Diary

I've been on a road trip for the past week. I left for Vancouver to visit some friends, and eat a ton of food. My family pretty much only goes to Vancouver to eat amazing sushi and xiu long bao (soup dumplings). I really recommend Shanghai River in Richmond for xiu long bao. If you want to see all the photos from Vancouver (most are of food, so I won't post them here, check out my instagram @ahrieru. 

You can check out the Seattle portion below, and what I wore for a day full of travel and shopping.

My family then headed down for a day trip to Seattle. Well, technically two days, but I spent so much time at the outlet mall that we only got to eat in Seattle, everything else was closed. Seattle is worse than Calgary! Everything closes so early. I miss Vancouver already. And I regret not buying another pair of Joe's Jeans from the outlet. Ah well, next year. 

Originally, I had planned on buying the Phillip Lim pashli bag while in Seattle. Unfortunately, they didn't have the cobalt blue one in the size I wanted. I also went on a hunt for a lace jacket I saw on the Target website. Unfortunately not one Target had it in my size. Seattle, stop selling out of everything I want to buy!

Since what I planned on purchasing didn't work out, cue some retail therapy at the All Saints flag store. Talk about some amazing decor there! I should have taken pictures, but I was too busy trying on clothes. Their decor was as unique as their designs, tons of vintage sewing machines and custom leather chairs. I bought two dresses, a lace one that I can dress down for school, and an emerald silk one that I have no idea how to wear casually. That one is currently resigned to fancy gatherings, but I can't wait til I get a chance to wear it!

After the unfortunate lack of purse shopping, my family and I headed to Pike Place to explore a bit and eat. Pike Place Chowder is absolutely amazing if you go. Apparently they win every chowder competition and have been forbidden from competing now. I really recommend their sampler, so that you get to try most of their flavours (or just get their smoked salmon bisque, it was delicious!). There's some awesome little boutiques in the Market, as well as in the downtown area in general. I wish I had a few more days to really explore them!

Pike Place Market

The Seattle Great Wheel

Overlooking the ferris wheel. This leopard print scarf was two dollars at Daiso in Vancouver! Definitely one of my favourite purchases (besides my new dresses) this trip.

The flower stalls in Pike Place are beautiful, and super cheap! It's $15 for one of the large bouquets! I'd buy flowers all the time if they were that price in Calgary!

There are coffee beans on the sidewalk! Pike Place is home to the original Starbucks, across the street from these beans.

The infamous gum wall in Pike Place. Interesting, but still really gross.

Wahh, putting my sunglasses up messed up my hair!