ICE STYLE.....2016 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships Costumes Recap: The LADIES!

ICE STYLE.....2016 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships Costumes Recap: The LADIES!

Razzle Dazzle Ladies: The Ladies at the U.S> Figure Skating Championships, Xcel Energy Center Saint Paul Minnesota

All Photos of the Figure Skaters by David Paul

This past weekend, beginning last Friday, I had the pleasure of attending the 2016 U.S. Figure Skating Championships--the U.S. Nationals of Figure Skating--in Saint Paul Minnesota. As you may know (if you read my BLOG here), I am a big fan of figure skating and especially commenting on figure skating costumes. I was scheduled to fly to Minnesota to do my NV Nick Verreos line on the EVINE Live TV Shopping Network (which is headquartered in Minnesota), so when my partner David Paul and I realized that this would be during the same time as the U.S. Nationals...well: Done & Done! We bought tickets to all the competitions during the weekend and boy, were we happy we did! The Championships were very exciting this year with lots of surprising results. Now, naturally, I'm here to discuss my favorite subject: THE COSTUMES!! So, up first: The Ladies...

Gracie Gold: Gracie skated her winning Free Skate to The Firebird by Stravinsky in this fire red costume. Even though the costume wasn't as "exuberant" as, say, what Anna Pogorilaya wore when she skate to the same music, I still liked this costume. The look featured a red asymmetrical hemline, sequins and feathers at the bust and "arm gloves" and an interesting sequined vertical back detail. It was a subdued, elegant Firebird.

Polina Edmunds: Polina skated her Free Skate to Gone With The Wind: Film Soundtrack by Max Steiner wearing this costume giving a slight nod to the Scarlett O'Hara costume. The emerald green bow detail adds a nice pop of color to the almost-entirely ivory costume. I especially liked the fluttery sleeve details as well as fluttery skirt. I get that Polina is young and her costumes usually reflect this but I would love to see a bit more "maturity" and refinement to her costumes; they're always two seconds from being almost too "Disney" safe.

Ashley Wagner: Ashley skated her Free Skate to Moulin Rouge: Film Soundtrack in this costume above. I almost always love all of Ashley's costumes. There's always a feeling that someone in her costume designing glam squad is reading Vogue magazine and there are elements of high fashion and a certain "skating couture" aspect. I love the gold leaf sequin work in her torso and how similar it is to the costume worn by Nicole Kidman:

Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge

Mirai Nagasu: Mirai skated her Free Program to The Great Gatsby: Film Soundtrack wearing this costume which I ABSOLUTELY LOVE! It's chic, expensive looking and has the look of Haute Couture 1920's flapper chic, in keeping with the film's costumes. The beading work on the top section looks extraordinary. And I admire the "mini" flapper fringes at the hem of the skirt. I also liked her sequined headband since this was very period-right. I almost think with all that going on, it might not have been necessary to add those sequined cuffs. But overall: Costume fabulous!

Tyler Pierce: Tyler performed her Free Skate to Danse Macabre by Saint-Saens in this costume above. The look featured a midnight blue-shaded ensemble with violet-grey sequined illusion. I liked the dark coloring since this definitely mirrored the Danse Macabre music and I especially thought the jagged/pointy edges of the torso detail added visual interest.

Bradie Tennell: Bradie skated her Free Program to Tango in Ebony by Maksim Mrvica. Naturally for a Tango-themed skate, one would expect a red colored costume as seen above. The addition of amethyst-colored sequins added some depth and visual texture to the crimson-red color base. The look featured a scooped neckline with "plunging" front, long sleeves and split-skirt. I thought this was nice; nothing extraordinary but adequate for the music.

Hannah Miller: Hannah skated her Free Program to Prelude La Boheme Act One & Non piangere, Liu (from Turandot) by Giacomo Puccini; Il Pristine (from The Postman film soundtrack); Vissi d'arte (from Tosca) by Puccini) in this blush colored sequined costume above. I really liked this costume and was a bit surprised at how refined and expensive-looking it was. This was a "Top Tier" skater costume for sure. If I had to pick a favorite part of this costume, it would be the front neckline sequin work which looked as if she was wearing layers upon layers of very expensive diamond and jeweled necklaces. Gorgeous.

The back (as well as front) detail reminded of a gown designed by Venezuelan designer Gionni Straccia worn by Miss Venezuela 2009 Marelisa Gibson when she won her crown (above)

Karen Chen: Karen performed her Free Skate to Les Miserables medley by Claude-Michel Schonberg in this costume. Not really sure what this black and silver gray sequined costume has to do with Les Miserables but I thought it was pretty and impacting. I can see a "hint" of Les Mis in the "lacing" down the front of the costume (maybe a nod to the period costumes of that time?) but overall, this costume might be best suited for a more "razzle dazzle" musical accompaniment like "Chicago".

Courtney Hicks: Courtney skated her Free Skate to Elizabeth: The Golden Age Film Soundtrack in this ocean blue costume above. The look featured gold sequin work that emphasized the torso and gave a look of an Elizabethan corset. I also notice the front scoop which mimics the same hemline of those period tops, as well as double layer of chiffon at the skirt which gives me a hint of the paniers of those times (sans the crinoline and boned petticoats). Overall, Courtney did look quite regal in this especially with the mini tiara and diamante "necklace".

Mariah Bell: Mariah skated her Free Skate to Born on the Fourth of July film soundtrack. I have to admit that when Mariah came out and I saw this "American Flag"-inspired costume, I expected to hear John Philip Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever" as her music, she would take a baton from the audience and start twirling it...but alas, no John Philip Sousa and no baton (insert sad face). But even though it was such an overt "Americana" homage, the costume designer still managed to make the design quite fashion-forward and innovative with the open back and one-sleeve detail.

Ashley Cain: Ashley performed her Free Skate to Bolero for violin & orchestra, performed by Vanessa-Mae in this deep lilac colored costume. the look was both sultry, slighty exotic and had Near East influences, albeit a bit "Disney Princess"-like. The halter neckline was quite pretty and back crystal sequin detail very red carpet-worthy. The thin sequined headband (a big trend for the ladies in Figure Skating), was a nice touch and I get that it added that "exotic" detail.



Finally...

Christina Cleveland: Christina skated her Free Skate to Harem performed by Sarah Brightman in this overtly exotic sequined costume. This look very much mirrors the Harem music and I was surprised to see such an intricately designed costume on an American figure skater; I expect this more from the Russian ladies skater, although it did remind me of  Michelle Kwan's 1996 Salome costume. I liked it for its intense no-holds barred costume punch.



**NEXT UP: THE MEN...Costume Highlights from the 2016 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships!!!

ICE STYLE.....NHK Trophy 2015 Figure Skating Costumes Recap! LADIES, MEN, PAIRS

ICE STYLE.....NHK Trophy 2015 Figure Skating Costumes Recap! LADIES, MEN, PAIRS

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.

ICE STYLE.....2015 Rostelecom Cup of Russia: Figure Skating Costumes Highlights--Ladies, Men, Pairs & Ice Dance!

ICE STYLE.....2015 Rostelecom Cup of Russia: Figure Skating Costumes Highlights--Ladies, Men, Pairs & Ice Dance!

 2015 Rostelecom Cup of Russia

The fifth in the 2015-2016 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating competition event was held this past weekend: the 2015 Rostelecom Cup of Russia. The competition was held at the Small Sports Arena of Luzhniki in Moscow Russia. In my continued love of figure skating--and particular--figure skating costumes--I have already discussed Skate Canada 2015, Cup of China 2015 and now it's time for the Rostelecom Cup of Russia 2015...

 Russia Skating: 2015 Rostelecom Cup of Russia 

 Here are my Costumes Recap/Highlights...Let's begin with the LADIES:

 I Won!--Russian figure skater Elena Radionova reacts as she relaizes she has won the gold medal--2015 Rostelecom Cup of Russia 

Elena Radionova Free Skate: Elena skated her Free Skate to "Titanic" (soundtrack) by James Horner to this costume above. the costume was trying to give hints of a turn-of-the-century look worn by actress Kate Winslet when she played Rose DeWitt Bukater. Elena's costume was lilac colored based with a pink/red waist sash and sequins throughout the top section. There were also small fluttery "cap sleeves" hanging over the shoulders/arms. This was half Adolescent Figure Skating Costume and half-Professional; It seemed a tad bit too "youngish"-looking but I get that Elena is, after all, only 16 years old. But still, I wish her costume here showed slight maturity.

Short Program to "Je T'aime" by Laura Fabian: I actually loved this peach colored costume worn by Elena for her Short program. The top section was quite exquisite and the back (lower left photo) was quite beautiful. I also kind of liked the wrist "bracelet" details that were actually nude gloves with bejeweled details.

Evgenia Medvedeva Short Program: Russian Evgenia Medvedeva skated her Short program to Melodies of the White Nights (soundtrack) by Isaak Schwarz wearing this marsala/wine-colored costume with small sequined crystals. The costume was very Figure Skating 101 in its design and I wished for something a little more extraordinary.

Free Skate to "Music from W.E. Soundtrack" by Abel Korzeniowski: Here, Evgenia gave me what I was asking for. I liked this blue sequined costume. She looked liked Wallis Simpson in this costume, or at least vibed her look, even with her pale skin and dark hairstyle.

Adelina Sotnikova Free Skate: Sochi Olympics gold medalist Adelina Sotnikova skated her Free Skate to "Je Suie Malade" by Laura Fabian. besides the fact of the timely importance of this theme and skate--and costume--I liked this look for her. The costume--black gathered netting coming from a multicolored heart--looked modern, chic and right--for the skate and music. It also reminded me of the Valentino Fall 2014 Ready-to-Wear gown below:

Valentino Fall 2014 Ready-to-Wear

 Russian Triple Trophy Win--(L to R) Evgenia Medvedeva silver medal, Elena Radionova gold medal, Adelina Sotnikova bronze medal--2015 Rostelecom Cup of Russia

 MEN------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Javier Fernandez Spain: Javier won the gold in Men's at the 2015 Rostelecom Cup of Russia. This, above, is what he wore for his Free Skate. Click HERE for my comments.

Adam
Rippon USA Free Skate: Adam skated his Free Skate to a Beatles Medley including "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band". I liked this costume.
It showed off his fat-free figure (is it OK to say "figure" for men?)
and at the same time had design hints of the iconic Beatles Sgt. Pepper music.
He wore this...

 At "Skate Canada 2015" and I wondered HERE what, if anything, it had to do with the music, theme, and his skate. Needless to say, I was glad he made the change.

Adian Pitkeev Russia Free Skate: 2015 Rostelecom Silver medalist Adian Pitkeev skated his Free Skate to The Mission (soundtrack) by Ennio Morricone. I thought this was an appropriate costume to this skate and music. I liked the deep keyhole and light diamante crystal sequin detail. It also fit him very well. 

Ross Miner USA: For Ross Miner's Short Program, he wore this black and slate-gray costume outfit for "New York State of Mind" by Billy Joel. I am normally not a fan of the black short/trousers look for ANYONE--man, pairs male partner...you name it! But I liked this on Ross. I think what I liked the most were his pants; at the very least, they were design-interesting. Now...what can we do about that Ross-Dress-For-Less belt?

PAIRS-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kristen Moore-Towers and Michael Marinaro of Canada: For their Free Skate to "Romeo and Juliet (soundtrack) by Craig Armstrong", I liked this coordinating ombre lilac costumes. Her mini-crown was on-trend and the sequin work on her costume--in particular--was very good.

Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov Russia Free Skate: For these Russian Pairs' Free Skate to Man and Shadow (The Unknown Known soundtrack) by Danny Elfman, they wore these post-modern directional costumes. I liked these costumes, especially her gathered and criss-cross ribbon look; very modern, very chic. 



ICE DANCE---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje Canada: For their Short Dance to "The Blue Danube" by Johann Strauss. I loved these costumes worn by Canadians Weaver and Poje. He looked regal, dapper. And she looked very Haute. Both were a vision of costume perfection.

Free Dance to On the Nature of Daylight by Max Richter and Run by Ludovico Einaudi: Modern, chic and so right! I also liked these costumes worn by Weaver and Poje for their Free Dance, especially her one shoulder black and nude illusion sequin dress. Modern, chic and the perfect accompaniment to the program.