Figure Skating Costume Minute--Cup of China 2012--Ice Dance Costume Recap!

Figure Skating Costume Minute--Cup of China 2012--Ice Dance Costume Recap!

Cirque du Soleil, Can Can, Two-Steppin' Dancing Queens and Princes...Say Hello to Ice Dance:

Can Can Love: Nathalie Pechalat and Fabian Bourzat of France skating their Short Dance, ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2012/2013 Cup of China, Shanghai China

If you've been keeping up with my little ol' blog here, I've been recapping the Figure Skating Costumes at this past weekend's ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2012 Cup of China, which happened at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center in (you guessed it!) Shanghai China. I've discussed the Men HERE, the Pairs HERE, the Women HERE and now, it's time to give my "Nick Two Cents" on the Ice Dancers, always one of the most fun disciplines when it comes to fashion and costumes.

Ekaterina Bobrova and Dmitri Soloviev of Russia: When I first saw these costumes, I thought, "Are they skating to a Disney film?". Then after a little research, I found out that for their "polka/waltz" Short Dance, they actually skated to "Say a Word About the Poor Hussar" by Andrei Petrov and music from the Air Crew soundtrack by Alfred Schnittke. Now,  I was still a bit perplexed because I had no idea what these songs were from. More research and I found out that the second "Air Crew" one is from a Russian film about an airplane crash (Ummm, OK...) but then I found out that the first song (Hussar) is from a Russian comedy/drama historical/period TV movie:

BINGO! That's why they are dressed liken that!! Yeayyy...

He was the officer and looked dapper, polished and strong. I especially loved the bold red stripes set against the white pants which made for nice lines to look at as they skated and especially, when extending his legs.  She was the ultra soft, feminine counterpart and looked romantic and pretty.

For the Free Dance to "Man with a Harmonica" from the Once Upon a Time in the West soundtrack by Ennio Morricone, they went the polar opposite of what they wore for their Short Dance--modern, contemporary looks that seem to be quite the trend with a lot of Ice Dancers as of late; they do the "costumes" in their Short and go a little more contemporary for their Free.

Madison Chock and Evan Bates of USA:  For their "Polka/Waltz" Short Dance, these two cuties from the US skated to Selections from Quidam by Cirque du Soleil:

On the IceNetwork.com site, it says that Madison designed the costumes for both the Short and Free Dance for this season. I liked these "Cirque" costumes. The colors were impacting, vibrant and perfect for the dance. Like Joshi Helgesson of Sweden, it is a bit over the top, but she looked sexy and still "Soleil" fun. I also liked Evan's slim. fitted velvet midnight blue-colored costume, although I'm not a huge fan of the "all-in-one" costume. While I think it works with Madison's costume, it is a little "Costume Store" looking for my taste.

For their Free Dance, Chock and Bates danced to Selections from Doctor Zhivago composed by Maurice Jarre. I like the striking black and white colors but I am always afraid of white dresses with figure skating especially when the makeup rubs up against it. I think they look clean and safe with their costumes here, I only wished they might have "punched" them up a bit more; these costumes need a little more "pizzazz". His especially--it looks like a weird hybrid of a Roman toga/Russian soldier. Again, I think they wanted to go a bit softer, especially after what they showed for their Short Dance. And, as I stated above, they certainly are on trend with the more minimal, modern aesthetic of the Free Dance. I just wish they were a little less minimal and a bit more modern.

Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri of Italy: OK, let me get this out of the way: LOOOVE! When I saw them step into the ice to do their Short Dance, I think I quietly exclaimed "Now, these are Costumes!". For their Short Program, they skated to a Waltz sung by Luciano Pavarotti and a Polka by Strauss. These two looked like they came out of a Vienna Austria dinner theatre and straight onto the Shanghai ice! These costumes blend camp, color, and actual historical period costumes and do it superbly.

I especially love the back "lace up" detail of her intricate corset and how the gold was brought back to his ensemble in the trim. Well done Italia!

For their Free Dance to "Summer" and "Winter" from The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi, Guignard and Fabbri they went the semi-contemporary route (Che Sorpresa!). It was a nice counterbalance from their previous Short Dance costumes. I like the sequined multicolored butterfly motif in her dress. It looks like a pretty DVF cocktail dress but still seems costume-y enough for a dance like this.

Victoria Sinitsina and Ruslan Zhiganshin of Russia: Let's see, I wonder what type of music these two kids skated to?? I hope it wasn't Tchaikovsky "Swan Lake"....And I was right (not a difficult guess!), Sinitsina and Zhiganshin skated their "Polka/Waltz" Short Dance to "Tennessee Waltz" by Eva Cassidy and
"Country Polka".  I always love when another country does "US Country and Western" and takes it to a whole other level! These outfits were fun, "Line Dancing"-festive and impacting with the colors and details; such as her ribbon lacing on the sides, puffy sleeves and her ombre dyeing effect. I also love his faded denim vest and jean look. He looks pretty HOT and I would warn him to be careful if he ever mistakenly ends up at a Gay Rodeo. He will be MOBBED!

Nathalie Pechalat and Fabian Bourzat of France: Pechalat and Bourzat won the Gold Medal at this past weekend's Cup of China 2012 and Congrats to them. For their "Polka/Waltz" Short Dance to "Gaite Parisienne" by Jacques Offenbach and "Sous le ciel de Paris" performed by Yves Montand. They went Can-Can Fab with their costumes, giving a cheeky homage to their home nation, but at the same time looking like a pair of extras in a Clint Eastwood Western Movie. I liked the fuchsia and black color contrast. Notice how they used a little bit of her fuchsia on his vest's welt pockets. I also like his turned-down French Cuff.  Good clean "Can-Can" Costume fun.

For their Free Dance--once again like may of the other Ice Dance competitors--they went "Anti-Costume" and donned more contemporary looks. Pechalat and Bourzat skated to "Miss You," "Angie," "Symphony for the Devil" and "Start Me Up" by The Rolling Stones. Their "costumes", if you could call them that were what I would call "Boho Hippie Chick Meets 'Survivor' Reality Show Contestants". It was a bit of a mish-mash.

She wore a cami-like tunic top (or was it a dress) that was a teeny bit short and her black panties kept showing whenever a turn or a lift occurred. The panties were cute but..it was still  distracting to say the least. She had accessories on her forehead and a long dangling necklace that I guess were there to reiterate the "Hippie" part but they looked a bit contrived. He looked like he belonged in a "Jesus Christ Superstar" revival. To sum it up: I wasn't a fan. But who cares, they got the Gold! Although, let's just say, I really, really miss this:

Pechalat and Bourzat's costumes from last season's "Mummy and Pharaoh" themed Free Dance. I so wish there was a way to bring these back! S'il vous plaît

Figure Skating Costume Minute: Cup of China 2012--PAIRS Costume Recap!

Figure Skating Costume Minute: Cup of China 2012--PAIRS Costume Recap!

Vampire Fab, Asymmetrical Bodysuits,  Chippendale's Hair, Retro Costumes and a Toreador:

Don't Try This at Home: Stolbova and Klimov of Russia, 2012/2013 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Cup of China, Shanghai China

Continuing with my Cup of China 2012 Costume blog recaps here--now--as promised--the PAIRS--we begin with one of my favorite Pairs Costume Looks of this season so far...

Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov of Russia: To their Short Program to "Interview with the Vampire",
these two went ALL OUT with their costumes! Ksenia donned an
asymmetrical body suit with side lace and brocade section mimicking a
corset:

I especially LOVE the tiny sliver of red sequined applique attached to her neckband, representing the blood spilling from the "Vampire Kiss". And take a look at Fedor's too-pale makeup: soooo perfect! 

Speaking
of perfect, his costume as well: fabulously detailed waistcoat/vest,
ruffled blouse, the contrast back with slit-open back. Both of their
costumes were Vampire-PERFECTION!

Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov of Russia: Continuing with the Russians, Pairs skaters Kavaguti and Smirnov skated their Short Program to Johann Strauss II's "The Blue Danube".
The positives: they were semi-elegant and contemporary and I liked the
contrast of him being in black and her in ivory. Negatives: I just wished her
costume would have had just a little more "drama". And yes, his messy hair looked "Chippendales" douchey. I wonder if there's a word in Russian for that.

For their Free Skate to "February", Kavaguti and Smirnov went a bit "old school" with their Pairs Costumes--his stretch body suit and her bedazzled look both seem to vibe costumes I
would have seen many Winter Olympics ago. Yet somehow they still made them look modern.

I especially liked her costume. The high neck combined with the open back and long sleeves was elegant and chic. I think what helped modernize the costumes was the unique color of blue. Also, who doesn't like seeing Smirnov in a body suit! Speaking of Traditional Pairs
Costumes...

Kirsten Moore-Towers and Dylan Moscovitch of Canada: For their Free Skate to "Queen Medley",
these costumes were very "retro" in terms of the styling and details;
including his blouson ombre-dyed top and her "flashy" diamante-studded
design. These costumes make sense with the music, but, I wish they were
more updated for the 21st Century; they just looked so
I-just-got-in-a-local-ice skating shop..in 1984.

Qing Pang and Jian Tong of China: Pang and Tong of China skated on home turf at the 2012 Cup of China. They performed their Short Program to "Scott and Fran's Paso Doble".
The costumes were as intense and fiery as the music. His Toreador
costume is intricate, expensive-looking and perfectly theatrical (with
all that embellishment) for a Grand Prix competition. It was also very
traditional in its styling which contrasted her costume: 

I already reviewed these costumes when Pang and Tong competed at Skate America, but upon further inspection I am questioning my opinion of her outfit. Pang wore red and black lace--very typical Spanish costume colors but there was not one Sevillana ruffle in sight. Hers was (supposed to be) a modern and very sexy Señorita. But,
it was a little "all over the place" with the details: There is a one-shoulder strap, lace in the midriff, at
the hem and on her arms, and then, there's something that looks like a
horseshoe detail/design on her torso. Upon closer inspection, it's two
steps away from looking like a whickety-wack mess. What do you
guys think?



***Up Next: The LADIES Costume Recap from 2012 Cup of China!!

Figure Skating Costume Minute--Cup of China 2012--Men's Costume Recap!

Figure Skating Costume Minute--Cup of China 2012--Men's Costume Recap!

Ross Dress For Less Looks, a Slick Haircut, Japanese Men "Queening Out" and Much More:

Gold Medalist Tatsuki Machida of Japan, 2012/2013 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Lexus Cup of China, Shanghai China

The third of six events of the 2012/2013 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating--the Lexus Cup of China--occurred this weekend in Shanghai China. As you know, I love writing about the fabulous (and some, not so fabulous) figure skating costumes here on my blog--so, here we go: time for Cup of China 2012!

Let's begin my Costume Recap with the MEN:

Brian Joubert of France: 2007 World Champion Brian Joubert performed his Short Program to "Genesis" by Justice and "Aerodynamic" by Daft Punk. His soundtrack was very electronica/French House and so it was appropriate for his costume to be less "Costume Period" and more contemporary. The top section featured black illusion and faux leather trimmed in gold. I call his look "Manly Flashy". And I like it! Unfortunately, Joubert had to withdraw from the event because of abdominal pain and fever prior to skating his Free Skate.

Tatsuki Machida of Japan: For his Short Program to "F.U.Y.A.", he wears this "costume" above. If you're a regular reader of my blog here---you may know that I am NOT A FAN of the I-just-got a shirt, belt and pants from 'Ross Dress For Less' look for the Men. In general, it looks so 1996 and shows a lack of creativity in part of the design team. But on a good note for the look above: the shirt is at the very least, slightly interesting with its bold print. Now on the complete opposite end...

THIS is one of MY FAVORITE COSTUMES so far this season! Machida wears this costume to his "The Firebird" Long Program" (which he debuted earlier this year at Skate America). It's GORGEOUS, music-appropriate, theatrical and really highlights how important it is to have a great costume to go along with your program. Oh yes, and he took the Gold for his skate.

Adam Rippon of the US: Cutie Adam Rippon is the only American competing in  the Men's portion of 2012 Cup of China. He skated his Short Program to Puccini's "Nessun Dorma", an aria from the famous opera "Turandot". The story of the opera is taken from a collection of Persian and Central Asian stories and fairy tales.

Usually, this opera is a celebration of fantastic and very extravagant Mongol/Persian/Central Asian costumes. So, I was surprised that Adam's look was so NOT THAT; he wore a black jumpsuit that suggested an extra in a "Star Trek" movie, and not really a Persian Prince.

For his Long Program to "The Incredibles", he wore this gray pant and black shirt "costume" above. So boring Adam. He's doing that "Ross Dress For Less" thing I dislike--the whole pants-and-belt look...

I'm not expecting a red lycra body suit with a big yellow, black and orange "i" on it but give me SOMETHING!

On a Nice Note:

Before (left) and After (right): Loving the new haircut! So dapper Adam! I do miss those wonderful curls of yours but, I get it, it was time to become a more "mature and slick" Adam. Now, if we can just improve on your costumes, you'd be PERFECT! I'm suspecting that with the new haircut and costumes, they are trying to make Adam less ethereal and give him more strength. Personally, if this is the new approach, I disagree with it. I think Adam is a beautiful and artistic skater and that is his strength. I always feel you should stick with what you do best and improve on that.

Daisuke Takahashi of Japan: To his Short Program to "Roll 'n' Roll Medley", "The Stroll", "Rudy's Rock", Takahashi went "Tokyo Elvis" with his get-up and I LOVED it! It was exuberant, music-appropriate and a big hit with all his little girl fans (they were all there at the Cup of China!)...

Now, you might notice that in his costume, Takahashi is also doing the "Adam Rippon" belt-and-pant thing, but (a BIG BUT!), he really "brought it"--costume-wise--with that red-and-black custom jacket, the beaded top underneath and even did his hair a la "Rock 'n' Roll". The difference is that his look doesn't seem as if he went to a department store, bought it and an hour later, performed in it.

At this weekend's 2012 Cup of China, Takahashi skated his Long Program to "Pagliacci". I also liked this costume here. It had overt references to the famous operatic clown but yet ragged, de-constructed. This was a very thought-out look and costume. Kudos to this modern, yet still Figure Skating theatrical-perfect "Pagliacci" costume. I've said this before, but it bears repeating, I really love how these Japanese MALE figure skaters embrace the whole costume part of their performance and think "outside the box" and are not afraid to "Go For It". I say Doumo arigatou gozaimasu to the Male Japanese skaters for "Queening Out"! Note to US Male Figure Skaters (except you Johnny Weir!), just because you're actually thinking of the costume part of your performance and skating doesn't mean your buddies back at home are going to think you've gone "pansy fancy" on them! Who cares what they think and well, follow the Japanese guys and Go For It!



Next Up-- Lexus Cup of China 2012: The Pairs!