FASHION Magazine

Despite being set in a dystopian future, style inspiration for the highly anticipated second Hunger Games film The Hunger Games: Catching Fire seems to be rooted in the futuristic fashions of today. In a series of stills gradually being released by the studio, Jennifer Lawrence and Elizabeth Banks are shown wearing looks that appear to be inspired by the Fall 2012 collections of Alexander McQueen and Christopher Kane.

The Telegraph has confirmed that brand representatives from Alexander McQueen are denying that any dresses were custom-made for the movie, but the style inspiration is unmistakable. In one image Banks, who plays the uptight Effie Trinket, wears a standout look with red ruffles that fits right in with Sarah Burton’s Fall 2012 Alexander McQueen collection. Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence also dons a McQueen-esque look in a promotional image which shows Katniss Everdeen looking as regal as a queen. The Telegraph shares another image that has Katniss on stage with co-winner of the Hunger Games and potential love interest Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) wearing a sleek dress with Christopher Kane’s signature moiré pattern from his Fall 2012 collection.

As we’ve already attested to (twice!), one of fall’s most dominant trends is undoubtedly the black-on-black leather look made staple by fictitious mastermind Lisbeth Salander in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Since such a tough as nails getup isn’t, well, everyone’s cup of tea, we challenged our Style Panelists to appropriate some portion of the look into their every day wardrobes. From Adventures in Fashion’s Vickie Laliotis’s girlie peek-a-boo sweater and faux leather skirt to Hello Elo’s Élodie Parthenay’s sleeve tattoos, this look varies in degrees of perfect execution.

Question 15: How do you transition your summer wardrobe into fall while it’s still warm outside? How can I incorporate fall’s leather look into my fall wardrobe »

Or jump to: ALEX GRANT, TORONTO | CARA MCLEAY, VANCOUVER | ELODIE PARTHENAY, MONTREAL | LOLITTA DANDOY, MONTREAL | MO HANDAHU, HALIFAX | VICKIE LALIOTIS, EDMONTON

It’s that time again! Oscar has spoken, and the nominations are in. Although we would’ve liked to see Tilda Swinton, Elizabeth Olsen, Kirsten Dunst, Shailene Woodley, and Charlize Theron be part of the Best Actress hoopla, it’s probably on Meryl lock anyway. We combed the Pre-Fall collections (with one couture exception) and plucked the gowns we think Oscar’s Best Actress nominees should consider for February 26. Let the countdown begin!

View our picks »

We round up bubbly for bath time, holiday hair pins and moisturizer that won’t leak in your bag. Also, we pick three products to help your skin battle the brutal months ahead.

View our most wanted beauty items for winter »

Word: Hacker

Meaning: Someone who uses computers and technology to gain unlawful access to data; someone who uses that access to mess with the digital world.

Usage: “Computer hackers are frequently denigrated as mere digital pranksters. But some are now finding they have the power to change the world for good” — from the dek of a Guardian piece by The Revolution Will Be Digitised–author, Heather Brooks.

The red carpet brought out three great hairstyles this past week: Rooney Mara’s side-parted bangs, Scarlett Johansson’s retro updo, and Sandra Bullock’s long, shiny locks. On a scale of easy to impossible, Bullock’s style is one you can achieve as quickly as it takes for your flatiron to heat up—whereas you’d need a second set of hands (or more!) to master Johansson’s pinned-up curls. Check out our tips for trying each of these looks at home and let us know which is your favourite on Twitter and on Facebook!

We’ve certainly seen actors embrace the characters they play while a film is in production, but Rooney Mara seems to be holding on to her Lisbeth Salander style long after David Fincher called “Cut!” on The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. True, blunt-cut bangs take a long time to grow out, and Mara is wise to keep her hair black if she’s soon due on set for the sequel. But paired with that deep-purple lipstick and stark neutral eye—it’s seems Mara’s not ready to give up Salander’s gothic-grunge look.

Fortunately, Mara’s once-demure style shines through, making her aesthetic appear very modern and not at all like the gothic glamfest that other bright-eyed beauties (Evan Rachel Wood, we’re talking to you!) are fond of.

Ready to go a little dark? Find out how to get Rooney Mara’s look from the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund red carpet »

After reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, you’ll most likely want to become the twisted anti-heroine Lisbeth Salander. However, given the lack of job openings for high-tech crime-solving vigilantes, it’s much easier to dress like her—and now especially so with H&M’s newest collaboration. The Swedish retailer is bringing the Swedish character’s signature style to the masses: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (that is, the American version of the film) costume designer Trish Summerville has created a dark and industrial collection inspired by Salander. The pieces all have a worn-in, personalized feel and include slashed T-shirts, rough-cut denim, and tight-fitting leather jackets and pants—in a range of moody greys, maroons, and black. And thankfully, there’s not an actual dragon tattoo to be seen.