Skating Couture: Highlights of some of the figure skating costumes seen at the NHK Trophy 2015, Nagano Japan
This past weekend was the last of six events on the 2015-2016 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating competitions in advance of the Grand Prix Finals. The event was the 2015 NHK Trophy and it was held in Nagano, Japan. I've covered my Figure Skating Costumes Highlights of 2015 Skate Canada HERE, 2015 Cup of China HERE, and the 2015 Rostelecom Cup of Russia HERE, so now, of course, it's time to talk about some of the costumes from 2015 NHK Trohpy.
Let's start with the LADIES:
Top Three: (L to R) Silver medalist Courtney Hicks of USA; gold medalist Satoko Miyahara of Japan; and bronze medalist Mao Asada of Japan--2015 NHK Trophy Nagano Japan
Mao Asada Japan: I've discussed Mao Asada's Free Skate Costume HERE so I wanted to talk about her Short Program costume to Bei mir bist du schoen, a famous Yiddish song from a Yiddish musical. Her costume was a fuchsia pink number with silver diamante crystals with pink trim sewn in flower-like patterns. It also featured long sleeves and an open back. This was quite feminine and pretty. It wasn't ground breaking in its design, but the color was impacting and the high neck and open back made for a striking image.
Satoko Miyahara Japan: Gold medal winner Satoko Miyahara skated her Short Program to Firedance from "Riverdance" by Bill Whelan. She was very "Carmen"-like in this red with black netting trim costume. The design also had scrolling applique and sequins. I wasn't a fan of this. For some reason, it didn't look polished or expensive enough. I did like the hints of black contrast and the red rose in her chignon hairstyle but besides this, it was just not that interesting of a design.
Free Skate to Un Sospiro by Franz Liszt: Miyahara wore this fuchsia pink costume featuring silver and multicolored diamantes and a scroll-like front bustier design. The skirt had tiers in an ombre-like pink coloration. The look was pretty and very starting-out ballerina. Nothing spectacular about this. She looked like she was part of the Junior Skating group. I'm sure it must be difficult to make her look sophisticatedsince she is all but a mere 17-years old. But I do appreciate the beautifully tiered skirt and the fantastic skate that won her the gold!
Courtney Hicks USA: Silver medalist Courtney Hicks wore this costume for her Free Skate to Elizabeth The Golden Age (soundtrack) by Craig Armstrong and A.R. Rahman. The costume featured bright canary yellow fabrication with multicolored sequin work. There were color and style nods to the grand mustard yellow costume worn by actress Cate Blanchett in the "Elizabeth The Golden Age" film. And I did like the subtle tiara in her updo hairstyle.
Short Program to The Feeling Begins by Peter Gabriel: I really liked this costume on Courtney. The color, the sequin work, the design. And her elegant hairstyle. She looked like a top skater wearing a chic modern costume. Well done.
Ashley Wagner USA: I've written about her Free Skate costume HERE so it was time to talk about her Short program to Hip Hip Chin Chin performed by Club des Belugas. Especially since...she changed it! Can you spot the difference between the left and the right photos above? The left is the new costume and the right is the one she wore previously at Skate Canada 2015 Grand Prix. Similar silhouettes but the new one is much more "Haute" for sure.
Before: The previous Short Program costume was a halter neckline black number with a simple stretch chiffon skirt, featuring subtle sequin detail--and that back sequin stripe...
After: The newer Short Program costume was much more designed, more sophisticated, more FABULOUS! I loved the fringe skirt and I especially liked the degrade effect of the front torso crystals. This, kids is what a well-done, EXPENSIVE figure skating costume looks like! Very good.
Alena Leonova Russia: Alena skated her Free Skate to Summertime performed by Carmen McRae, Jailhouse Rock by Elvis Presley, In Other Words by April Stevens, Sing Sing Sing performed by the Andrew Sisters in this fun costume above. I liked the bias-cut plaid in the torso/midriff and how it continued onto the skirt. The rest of the costume featured a gathered top with crystals, a red rose at the waist, gloves and arm feathers. This was fun and appropriate with the music.
Short Program to Smile performed by Nat King Cole, Overture - Unveiling the Statue (City Lights soundtrack) by Carl Davis, Terry's Theme (from Limelight soundtrack) by Charlie Chaplin: I also like Leonova's Short Program costume. She always has a knack for making a statement when it comes to her costumes and this little number was no exception. The minute I saw her on the ice I thought "Charlie Chaplin", and lo and behold, that's what she was skating to. I think that's a good thing.
Anna Pogorilaya Russia: Anna skated her Short program to Bolero for Violin and Orchestra by Walter Taieb and Vanessa Mae wearing this wine-red costume. The design featured nude illusion sections with red pieces intertwined. The costume was VERY Anna and very daring.
Mirai Nagasu USA: Mirai skated her Free Skate to The Great Gatsby (soundtrack). This was the perfect costume interpretation of that film. There were Art Deco-like sequins, flapper-like details, the 1920's headpiece. The costume itself was pretty stunning and I also loved the crystal wristbands/cuffs.
MEN-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yuzuru Hanyu Japan: First off, Yuzuru did AMAZING!!!! His Free Skate at this past weekend's 2015 NHK Trophy was EVERYTHING! Now, back to the costumes...Yuzuru skated his Short Program to the same music he skated to last season Ballade No. 1 op. 23 in G minor by Frederic Chopin but his 2014-2015 Season costume was slightly different. See if you can spot the difference. The top photo is the newer version which he wore at the 2015 NHK Trophy. In the newer costume, his cummerbund is copper as opposed to black and the top/blouse is a more subtle ombre shading and features panels (on the midriff side and sleeves) of gold.
PAIRS-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford Canada: Gold medal winning Pairs couple Duhamel and Radford skated their Short Program to Your Song by Elton John, performed by Ewan McGregor. I loved the bright red color and the criss-cross gathered draping in her costume's torso. I also liked that Eric's shirt and tank matched hers and especially his crystal buttons. Oh and can I add, HOW HOT does Eric look with that five o-clock shadow??!! Welcome to the beard club darling.
Free Skate to Hometown Glory by Adele: Great multi jeweled neckline piece on Meagan's costume and I loved the gathered halter neckline detail.
Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres France: James and Cipres of France skated their Short Program to Hometown Glory by Adele. Now, I love a unitard/jumpsuit. Especially a good one. And this one on Vanessa is a fabulous one. I like the heavy sequin neckline and wrist detail as well as the faux leather shoulder and high-hip accents. And yes, Morgan looks hot in his costume. All that faux leather strapping and criss-cross belting is very Leather Bar Lite. And I likey.
