By Piya Sinha-Roy
LOS ANGELES, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Katniss Everdeen not onlywields the bow and arrow of hope in "Catching Fire," the secondinstallment of "The Hunger Games" film franchise, she is alsothe muse of a new high-fashion line that carries the film'sfictional world of the Capitol beyond the screen.
"Catching Fire" costume designer Trish Summerville's16-piece collection was launched on Monday for luxury onlineretailer Net-A-Porter, aptly labeled Capitol Couture.
The collection of clothes and accessories are drawn fromSummerville's designs for Katniss, the stoic heroine played byOscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence. The designer also hopes CapitolCouture will attract the website's high-fashion clientele to theseries of young adult films.
"For a Net-A-Porter client that is interested in our line,it piques their interest if they don't know the film, they'll gothen see the film," the designer said.
"Catching Fire," out in theaters last week, sees Katnissbecome a symbol of revolution against the oppressive Capitolgovernment ruling the fictional world of Panem, and has alreadystormed the box office with more than $307 million worldwide.
Hollywood films have often partnered with big brands topromote new releases. "Catching Fire" distributor Lions Gate spent roughly $55 million on marketing for the film,including deals with Subway fast-food restaurants and Procter &Gamble Co's CoverGirl cosmetics.
But films such as "Hunger Games" that are aimed at a teenand young adult audience are not the likeliest showcases forhigh fashion, which generally draws an older female clientelewith the additional income to spend.
Summerville hopes her collection, priced between $75 forT-shirts to $995 for a laser-cut patent leather dress inspiredby Katniss' chariot outfit, will accommodate all budgets.
"It was important for me to have things that the fans couldrelate to and also that appealed to the Net-A-Porter clientele,"Summerville said.
"This isn't particularly for the 'Catching Fire' fan base,it's just a venture we went out upon to try and exhibit some ofthe fashion in the film," she added.
FANS ATTUNE TO HIGH FASHION
High fashion and film have enjoyed a long relationship,taken to a new level in the 1990s by HBO television series "Sexand the City," which showcased latest collections by designerson the characters. Patricia Field, the stylist of the show andits subsequent films, also designed a "Sex and the City"inspired collection for UK retailer Marks & Spencer.
Earlier this year, Baz Luhrmann's big screen adaptation of"The Great Gatsby" saw its leading actress, Carey Mulligan,channeling Daisy Buchanan in striking Prada designscreated for the film by costume designer Catherine Martin, whodrew straight from the Prada archives.
Summerville, who also created actress Rooney Mara's edgytransformation in 2011's "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," saidshe turned to "Hunger Games" fan sites when designing theaesthetic of the second film, and found high-fashion lookssuggested for both Katniss and Effie Trinket, the film'soutrageously dressed Capitol spokeswoman.
Lions Gate also created a Capitol Couture website, an onlinemagazine set in the fictional world of Panem, that showcased thestyles explored in the film, from the Districts to the Capitol.
Actress Elizabeth Banks, who plays Effie, said hercharacter's high-fashion looks represented a bigger picture ofthe film's theme of revolution.
"We don't wear the clothes because they're cool-looking, wewear the clothes because they represent the excess and the powerof the Capitol. It's always meant to be a juxtaposition ofwhat's going on in the districts," Banks said.
One look that Summerville said she was proud of curating forEffie was a fitted dress adorned with hundreds of featherspainted to look like Monarch butterflies, taken straight fromthe Alexander McQueen spring/summer runway. Banks wore the dresswith high heels and a butterfly hair piece.
"Everything is uncomfortable, everything is constricted, andthat's also a really strong reminder of the society they livein. Their only freedoms come in the form of personal adornment,they don't have true freedom yet," Banks said.