About the Book...
The Hunger Games Meets The Bachelor
The Selection is a book series set in a future dystopian North America. This novel takes place in a world years after a fourth World War. North American countries have united to form the nation Illea, which is governed by one royal family: King Clarkson, his wife, Queen Amberly, and their son Prince Maxon. And while the royal family lives in a palace with unlimited means, the rest of the nation is not so lucky. The people of Illea are divided into castes each assigned a number; Ones include the royal family and Eights are the homeless community. Wealth determines placement in the castes and even though someone can move up or down, falling lower is much more common. The jobs and how people contribute to this community is determined by their caste. In the nation of Illea, princesses are married to form alliances with other nations. For princes, marriage is an opportunity for women in Illea. The Selection is a competition and opportunity for thirty-five young girls of Illea to raise their station and vie for the Prince’s heart. For America, this is the last thing she wants. America, a Five, is a musician, who does not desire to be a princess. She would much rather stay at home with her family, play her instruments, and marry her first love, Aspen. Aspen, a Six, is a servant, who can’t commit to America because he is ashamed of his station and believes he won’t be able to provide for her. When America is chosen for the Selection, she is thrown into a completely unfamiliar world, full of teenage drama and the finer things in life she has never had access to. She slowly begins to fall for Prince Maxon but finds herself in a love triangle when Aspen shows up at the palace with a raised station for becoming part of the royal guard. Meanwhile, she is also competing with the other thirty-four women who want to be with Prince Maxon.
Costume Inspiration
The costumes for this project are modern day fantasy. This story is The Hunger Games meets The Bachelor. There is a fine line between fantasy and contemporary. The lower the castes the more rugged and more bland. The fabrics are basic and the colors are neutral. The higher castes have brighter colors and more extravagant fabrics. Once the selection begins, brighter hues are incorporated in the designs and we see more silhouettes. The Prince and guards are influenced by modern day royalty with accents similar to fantasy princes. They are also influenced by military uniforms. The women’s attire is influenced by red carpet gowns and designer dresses seen on TV, like Gossip Girl. They are full gowns that accentuate their waist in a very feminine aesthetic. The color palette of all of the characters are complementary with one another but are not meant to match to one specific person.
Inspiration Board
The Characters
America
She begins as a Five who through the course of this book evolves into a Three for being part of the Selection. As a Five, she is a musician, who performs at parties for wealthier castes. Her family is not the poorest in Illea, but food and warmth were not always guaranteed. As a Five, her attire is very basic and not very colorful. She has a few dresses, that she wears when she works, otherwise she is in shorts and tunics. America’s aesthetic is simple, classic, graceful, and southern. She is fearless and speaks her mind. She has bright red hair that makes her stand out amongst the other Selection girls. As part of the Selection, her style remains simple and graceful through the colors and silhouettes, even though she is now in gowns. She is independent and knows what she likes. This helps her receive pants to wear around the palace to help her feel more comfortable and at home.
Musician Look - Illustration
Musician Look - Flats
Jumpsuit Look - Illustration
Jumpsuit Look - Flats
Princess Look - Illustration
Princess Look - Flats
Aspen
He is a Six, which is considered an indoor servant. He cleans homes and will take any work, in order to help provide for his large family. He is in love with America, but his station and lack of money makes him question if he is right for her. He doesn’t want to lower her caste and fears he can not give her the life she deserves. He is tall, dark, and handsome. When he is pulled into the draft to serve his nation, he lands at the palace, where for the first time in his life he is well dressed and well fed. He goes from a rugged young man to clean cut soldier. He is protective but knows his place in the world. America is the one thing he is willing to fight and go against the rules for.
Servant Look - Illustration
Servant Look - Flats
Guard Look - Illustration
Guard Look - Flats
Celeste
She is the “mean girl” of the selection. She was raised in privilege as a Two and is willing to do whatever it takes to become the next princess. She manipulates situations in her favor and uses her looks and station as a model to push herself forward in the competition. She doesn’t mind showing skin and is confident in everything she does. Although she is confident and successful in her own right, she fears being forgotten.
Princess Look - Illustration
Princess Look - Flats
Prince Maxon
He is young ruler, who feels the weight of the world on his shoulders. He is a tall, crisp, and clean young man. He has honey colored short hair and brown eyes. He is always dressed to look his best. Maxon is benevolent and cares about his people. He is hopeful about the Selection and falling in love. The more time he spends with America, the more relaxed he becomes, which can be seen in his attire.
Georgia Whitaker
She is one of the leaders of the northern rebellion. She doesn't take herself too seriously and her outfits reflect that. Her clothes are pieces she has found and refurbished or redesigned. Her jean jacket with the rebellion eight point star embroidered on it is a staple garment of hers. She becomes a fast friend to America and an ally to Prince Maxon during the Selection.
Mood Board
