McKenna Grace turned the Hunger Games arena into a red-carpet fashion moment in a striking Almée Couture gown at the London premiere of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Covered in intricate landscape-inspired beadwork and three-dimensional flowers, the dress brought the upcoming film's colourful imagery to life.
The actress, who plays Maysilee Donner in the new instalment, has been using fashion to pay tribute to the franchise throughout its promotional tour. With stylist Molly Dickson helping shape her wardrobe, Grace has embraced method dressing through looks inspired by the films' iconic costumes and characters.
Inspiration Behind the Almée Couture Gown
Grace wore an Almée Couture creation styled by Dickson, with the design drawing inspiration from the arena in Sunrise on the Reaping. Rather than simply choosing colours associated with the film, the gown recreated the landscape featured in its promotional imagery.
The fitted, floor-length gown featured detailed beadwork in shades of blue and green, creating patterns that resembled swirling skies, mountains and rolling fields. Purple flowers ran down the dress and into a sheer, shimmering train, adding colour and texture to the look.
The dress offered a direct connection to the world of Panem, where the arena becomes the setting for a fight for survival. By translating the film's scenery into couture, Grace made her premiere outfit feel like more than just a conventional red-carpet choice, but also an extension of the movie.
Mckenna Grace referencing the actual Hunger Games arena she was in pic.twitter.com/3hHJzGxWZE
— Rachel ¹⚡️💢 (@eternalroseanne) October 28, 2026
'Hunger Games' Method Dressing
Grace has embraced method dressing throughout the film's promotional tour, using her outfits to reference memorable looks from previous Hunger Games instalments. One standout appearance featured a Monique Lhuillier dress inspired by Katniss Everdeen's white wedding gown in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
She also wore a red gown reminiscent of the Calvin Klein dress Jennifer Lawrence wore to the 2011 Academy Awards, alongside an archival Betsey Johnson minidress that recalled Rue's outfit in the original 2012 film. These choices have connected Grace's promotional wardrobe to the franchise's fashion history while giving fans familiar details to recognise.
Mckenna Grace lost the Hunger Games because she ATE too hard pic.twitter.com/XNckFscA2D
— Rachel ¹⚡️💢 (@eternalroseanne) October 26, 2026
Who Is McKenna Grace in the Film?
In Sunrise on the Reaping, McKenna Grace plays Maysilee Donner. She's a tribute from District 12 who competes in the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. The character appears in an earlier chapter of Panem's history, decades before Katniss volunteers to take her sister's place in the original story.
Maysilee's storyline unfolds alongside that of a young Haymitch Abernathy, whose experiences during the competition help shape his future. The Second Quarter Quell raises the stakes by requiring twice the usual number of tributes from each district, making it a significant event in the franchise's history.
Where to Watch 'Sunrise on the Reaping'
Based on Suzanne Collins's novel of the same name, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is a prequel set 24 years before the events of the first Hunger Games film. Directed by Francis Lawrence, the story centres on Haymitch's participation in the Second Quarter Quell and the events that shape his life.
Joseph Zada plays young Haymitch, while Whitney Peak appears as Lenore Dove Baird and Elle Fanning plays a younger Effie Trinket. The cast also includes Ralph Fiennes as President Snow, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, Maya Hawke as Wiress and Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman.
The film is scheduled to arrive in cinemas in the UK and US on 20 November 2026. It will bring audiences back to Panem for another chapter in its brutal competition.
