For Trish Summerville, fashion is anything but a game.
The edgy, award-winning costume designer created the intricate, oftentimes outrageous looks for “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” the second movie in the futuristic, book-based film series in which kids are forced to fight to the death.
Summerville is new to the “Hunger Games” franchise, as is “Catching Fire” director Gary Ross, but she’s no stranger to movies based on novels, having designed costumes for “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.”
“Catching Fire” hits theaters Friday.
How would you describe your working experience?
It was great and painful all at the same time. Like every project, I’m so happy that I was offered the opportunity to do it, but I’m so controlling and meticulous. I’m my own worst enemy.
Did you take any inspiration from the first film?
We didn’t really have to stay true to anything because in the world of the Capitol, fashion changes so much. With Katniss, the thing I wanted to stay true to and honor was the hunting jacket and her hunting boots.
What was your vision for main characters Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson)?
She and Peeta are of their people. I wanted to keep this raw, down-home aesthetic. … The transition starts as they go on the Victory Tour into the Capitol, and you see the [styles] escalate in fashion and fit, having these high-end clothing pieces.
How did you design each district’s distinct wardrobe?
I wanted to incorporate what each district made or grew. For the textile district, there’s a lot of color there, a lot of tapestry. I even had the makeup department stain [the actors’] hands like they’d been working with dye. For the fishing district … there are fisherman’s sweaters, seashells.
Tell us about Katniss’ amazing wedding gown.
I’d been following a [Jakartan] designer named Tex Saverio. His designs are really quite intricate and elaborate. We did Skype sessions back and forth. I wanted to … subliminally show that she’s the Girl on Fire and also wanted to maintain that she’s the Mockingjay, so I asked him to incorporate feathers.
