Stylist

A stylist was a citizen of the Capitol who was responsible for designing the clothing for one of two tributes from their chosen or assigned district leading up to the annual Hunger Games.

Purpose[]

Stylists were responsible for selecting their tribute's wardrobe, styling them for both private and public appearances. These clothing choices played a critical role in conveying the tribute's public persona to the audience, and this could either attract or drive away sponsors before the actual commencement of the Games.^[1]

Tasks[]

Stylists created every item of clothing their tribute wore for the duration of their stay in the Capitol. Additionally, each stylist delegated tasks to their own three-person prep team of beauticians.^[1]

Tribute Parade[]

At the Remake Center, a tribute would be prepared by their prep team before being seen by their stylist. Said stylist would introduce themselves and give their tribute the costume they would wear while riding in their chariot. These costumes traditionally represented some aspect of their district's industry.^[1]

Training[]

Stylists individually picked out their tributes' training outfits.^[2] In the films, the tributes were given uniforms to wear instead.^[3][4]

Interviews[]

The stylists also designed outfits for the tributes' night of interviews, which took place on the evening before the Games. This was the last chance for the tribute and stylist to make an impression on the audience before the Games themselves.^[5]

Arena[]

Stylists were the only members of the tribute's team to accompany them right up to the start of the Games. They rode with them to the site of the arena in a hovercraft, traveled with them through the catacombs, and kept them company in their Launch Room. There, they put the finishing touches on their tribute's appearance. Stylists had no say in the arena wear, as the uniform was the same for everyone, but they could style the tribute's hair and give them their tribute token. They could only speculate what the arena might be like based on the uniform's materials and the design choices made.^[6]

Victors[]

If a stylist's tribute emerged from the Games as a victor, they were responsible for styling the new victor for closing ceremonies.^[7] When the victor's support team rose up from beneath the stage for the occasion, the stylist was the third person introduced, after the prep team and escort but before the mentor.^[8]

Victory Tour[]

The stylist of a winning tribute also designed all of the victor's outfits for their Victory Tour. Stylists and the rest of the support team personally accompanied the new victor throughout these public appearances.^[9]

History[]

At the time of the 10th Hunger Games, the position of a stylist had not yet been created. Tributes were simply thrown into the Capitol Arena in whatever they had worn to the reaping, which had likely become rather dirty and soiled. The exception was Lucy Gray Baird, whose colorful dress had been repaired and cleaned up by Tigris before her interview.^[10]

Most stylists stayed in the profession for a long time, "constants in the ever-changing pool of tributes." Due to their many appearances over the years, they were familiar to the audience. Newer stylists were typically given the least desirable districts, such as District 12; however, even newcomers to the role could request a certain district.^[1]

74th Hunger Games[]

Cinna undertook his first year as a stylist alongside his partner Portia during the 74th Hunger Games. He specifically requested District 12, and he became the stylist to Katniss Everdeen, while Portia styled Peeta Mellark. The two stylists devised a harmless type of flame to use on the District 12 tributes' black costumes, which made Katniss and Peeta stand out, instantly endearing them to the Capitol audience.^[1]

Second Rebellion[]

During the Second Rebellion, Portia and her prep team were executed on live television after Peeta was rescued from the Capitol.^[11] All stylists from the third Quarter Quell died during the war, but it is unclear which side was responsible or through what means this was carried out.^[12]

Known stylists[]

Trivia[]

• Tigris unofficially styled her cousin Coriolanus Snow's tribute, Lucy Gray Baird, during the 10th Hunger Games. Due to their personal relationship and Snow's considerable influence on the future of the Games, it is possible that Tigris inspired him to create the stylist position.

References[]