Figure Skating Costume Minute--NHK Trophy 2012--Pairs

Figure Skating Costume Minute--NHK Trophy 2012--Pairs

Lots of Crystals, Spartacus Fab, Last of the Mohicans Sexy, More Headbands and a Fringed Skirt...

Top Three Pairs: Silver Medalists Kirsten Moore-Towers and Dylan Moscovitch of Canada, Gold Medalists from Russia Vera Bazarova and Yuri Larionov, Bronze Medalists from the USA Marissa Castelli and Simon Shnapir, ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating NHK Trophy 2012, Sekisui Heim Super Arena, Sendai Japan

Continuing with my Costume Recap of this final ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2012-2013 competition (before the Grand Prix Finals), it is now time to discuss the Pairs at the NHK Trophy and who stood out in terms of costumes. So, let's get started...

Vera Bazarova and Yuri Larionov of Russia: I've discussed the Gold-winning pair of Vera Bazarova and Yuri Larionov and their Free Skate costumes to Music from the Spartacus soundtrack by Aram Khatchaturian HERE. I thought these costumes were FABULOUS! I would say without a doubt, one of my favorite Pairs Costumes of the Season, by far. They could have gone "Halloween Spartacus Costumes from a plastic bag"-tickety tacky, but they didn't. They were the complete opposite; polished, theatrical, costume-y but with a dash of red carpet couture.

Marissa Castelli and Simon Shnapir of USA: Congrats to the US pairs of Castelli and Shnapir for getting Bronze at NHK Trophy 2012. These two skated their Free Skate to "Payadora" by Julian Plaza, an Argentinian Tango. The costumes were designed by Yumi Nakamura, Julie Marcotte and Paul Ginande. Since it is a tango, it makes sense they would go red and black with their costumes. I like his better than hers. I think it was great to add the crystal-encrusted bib to his black tuxedo shirt, therefore transforming the usually yawn-inducing black outfit so many of the male skaters tend to go for. Hers just didn't seem creative enough in my eyes and didn't really compliment his costume. They almost seem to not really belong together. Take a look at the Russians at the top of the post and how they BOTH work together, as an example of what I mean.

Lindsay Davis and Mark Ladwig of USA:  Davis and Ladwig skated their Short Program to Beethoven's "5 Secrets" by OneRepublic and The PianoGuys in these costumes. They were designed by Dawn Imperatore and Stephanie Handle. Now, here was a case in which I loved hers but not his. Lindsay's costume was pretty, classical and had elements of very on-trend "Grecian Goddess" draping. I LOVED the gold shoulder details and accents. You could take this costume, lengthen it just a bit, and voila: it's a pretty cocktail dress. Bring it to the floor: a Miss Universe-worth gown! But poor Mark, he looks like he stepped out of a 1987 figure skating show! I'm just not that much of a fan of the blouson tops on male figure skaters. They look dated. I'd rather see tight, fitted. These boys have got .000032 % fat so why not show it!

Nicole Della Monica Matteo Guarise of Italy: I've discussed Della Monica and Guarise's Short Program costumes which they wore to the music of "Nothing Else Matters" by Metallica (seen above) HERE. Let's just say that I wasn't amused. It's a bit too Bad Night at the Disco. It's supposed to vibe Metallica, rock & roll and the 90's...not so mucheey. With that being said, Matteo looks MOLTO HOT!!

For their Free Skate to Music from The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, they wore these blue costumes with with white ruffle trim. I am so sorry but these look cheap. What is with that ruffle treatment? It screams "Arts & Crafty" and so something that one would find on a dress for a four-year old girl. This was a Costume Letdown. They didn't honor the music nor the fact that they come from a country so famous for its high quality fashion.

Kirsten Moore-Towers and Dylan Moscovitch of Canada:  Again, I've covered the above costumes this Canadian pair wore for their Free Skate to "Queen Medley". You can read it in full HERE. In short, I thought these costumes were very "retro" in terms of the styling and details;
including his blouson ombre-dyed top and her "flashy" diamante-studded
design. But they were too 1984-retro. I wished they were a bit more 21st Century, but still with a hint--just a hint--of the retro.

I have not discussed what Moore-Towers and Moscovitch wore for their Short Program seen above. They skated to "A Motley Crew" from the Micmacs soundtrack. "Micmacs" was a 2009 French comedy film was described as a "satire on the world arms trade" (go figure!). These very bold and colorful red, white and black costumes scream more "Cirque du Soleil" and less "Micmac". But, I still liked them. The asymmetry of his jacket/vest, bold print, red piping together with her costume which combined the same color and styling elements, worked. But still, someone out there reading this who is a "Micmac" aficionado might have to enlighten me on what harlequin black, white and red costumes have to do with this French film...because I still have NO IDEA.

Anastasia Martiusheva and Alexei Rogonov of Russia: For their Free Skate, Russians Martiusheva and Rogonov skated to Music from the soundtrack of The Mission by Ennio Morricone...

Conquistadors (left) and a portrait of Maria Luis de Parma (right) queen consort of Spain, 18th Century

These were pretty great costumes which combine a little of the 18th century "Conquistador" look, a little bit of Reina Isabella II and some "Dancing With The Stars" sexiness. I liked how the "belt"-like detail and accents seen on her costume (above-bust neckline and arms) was then carried over--and more heightened--on his costume, trying to reproduce the heavy belts the men of those times would wear.

Alexa Scimeca and Chris Knierim of USA: For their Free Skate, this very cute American pair (who incidentally only announced their partnership in April of this year) skated to Music from The Last of the Mohicans soundtrack by Randy Edelman, "500 Nations" by Peter Buffett...

They took the rather drab costumes from the film and "Disney"-ized them. Alexa and Chris looked like characters from a "Disney On Ice" version of "Pocahontas". He was cute in a white top with neckline beading while Alexa was Pretty and Sexy in her turquoise blue one-shoulder sequined costume, the very "Figure Skating Costume" on-trend headband and in case you didn't notice, yes...

 A fringed "skirt". They get "Nick Costume" A's for these. 



***Next Up: My Final Costume Assessment of "NHK Trophy 2012"--The Ice Dance!

Figure Skating Costume Minute: Skate America 2012 Pairs and Men's Costume Recap!

Figure Skating Costume Minute: Skate America 2012 Pairs and Men's Costume Recap!

Figure Skating Is BAAACKKKK!!!!

 Mens and Pairs Top Three--Skate America 2012, ShoWare Center Kent, Washington

Figure Skating Fans Around The World Rejoice: Season 2012-2013 is ON!!! Over the weekend, was Skate America 2012, the first of six events in the 2012-2013 season in ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating, a series of senior-level invitational competitions.

 ShoWare Center Kent, Washington--site of Skate America 2012

The Hilton HHonors Skate America 2012 occurred at the ShoWare Center in Kent Washington (about 21 miles from Seattle) from October 19-21st. I attended last year's Skate America and LOVED it. So let's get to the Costumes, which is, after all, one of the main reasons I LOVE Figure Skating--besides all the amazing athleticism, of course--



Let's begin with Pairs:

USA--Caydee Denney and John Coughlin--For their Short Program they did a "Swing Medley" skated to one of my favorite pieces of music, "Concierto de Aranjuz" and for their Free Skate, they used "Phantom of the Opera". I liked the costumes for both programs. I liked his better on his Free Skate and hers better on the Short. What I am most happy about is that Caydee toned down her garish eye makeup for both--compared to what she did when they won the US Figure Skating Championships last February:

Turquoise Eye Shadow Princess: Caydee Denney vibing "Toddlers & Tiaras" with her eye makeup last year

France--Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres--For their Short Program to "Rhumba d'Amour" and "Safri Duo", this duo chose to wearing contrasting colors--which is typical of pairs. I like her purple halter neckline costume although it is a very predictable look. Especially for a country known for its HAUTE COUTURE, they could have done better (on her costume). I think Morgan looked HOT and yes, there is that PLUNGING neckline that has been so prevalent in the last few years among the men.

China--Pang Qing and Tong Jian--Pang and Tong--Short  Program to "Scott and Fran's Paso Doble"--They were very "Carmen" on COUTURE CRACK. He was the Toreador. Perfect. She was the One-shouldered Señorita with a Dragon-Lady Twist. I think these costumes were FABULOSO! These two really understand Stage Presence, performance and the importance of Costumes to the entire show.

China--Pang Qing and Tong Jian--Pang and Tong--Free Skate--For their Free Skate, they skated to "Variations on an original theme Enigma"--She wore a lilac colored costume with silver sequins and he wore a darker lilac v-neck shirt with (yawn) black pants. It's so typical for the guys to wear black pants. I almost give them an instant "Nick Negative 5 points" when I see it. I know why they want to do it. But, by now, I am so "over it", I'd rather see dark BLUE or a very deep PURPLE instead! Seriously. Both her costume and his shirt--even though they look as if they are very intricately and very expensively embroidered--still look very Figure Skating Costume Store bought. These kids needs better and more High Fashion-looking costumes for their Free Skate. Period.

Russia--Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov--They were the Gold Medal Winners overall. For their Short Program, they skated to "Love Theme from The Godfather" (top photo) and for their Free Skate, they did it to "Violin Muse, Partita for Violin No. 2 and Chaconne" (bottom photo). Their Free Skate costumes were far more interesting. Although I did like her Short Program deep violet halter costume with neck chains. But...their Free Skate looks were much more ethereal, exploratory--costume-wise. His was especially ultra feminine, and yes, only Maxim could make wearing asymmetrical pleated chiffon look SO BUTCH.



The Men:

Michal Brezina of Czech Republic--My favorite costume for him was what he wore for his Short Program to "In The Hall of the Mountain King". Dark; both very feminine and masculine; there's slight "bling-bling" with the sequins, and chiffon volants for flutter effect. I like it.

 

Doug Razzano of the USA in his Short Program to "Piano Concerto No. 2  Allegro Scherzando by Rachmaninoff "-- Doug was
appropriately costumed. The deep violet-blue is elegant and the chiffon
neckline ruffles with swirly applique and sequins bring s to mind a
romantic and very classic feel.

 

Konstantin Menshov of Russia in his Short Program Costume to "Lillies of the Valley" looked like a Macy's INC model from 1992. The dress shirt, black pants and that tacky belt? How do you say "Huney. Try again" in Russian?

Japan--Yuzuru Hanyu--Japanese skater Yuzuru Hanyu skated the BEST Skate of his career and the highest score EVER recorded for his Short Program to "Parisienne Walkways". For his Long Program, he skated to "Notre-Dame de Paris". I liked both costumes but especially the one for his long program. The big cross, the ombre dyed ivory and red shirt, the one sleeve ruffle and one black glove. Lots of details and he was not afraid to "Go For It"!

And Yuzuru was definitely paying homage to Johnny Weir (as seen from the photos above). And if he is not...I'm sure Johnny will be happy to let him know who the ORIGINAL is!

Jeremy Abbott USA: For his Long Program, Jeremy Abbott skated to "Bring Him Home from Les Miserables"--His costume was well, less than a costume. I get that the Men love them black pants Yes, I know...Jeremy's are brown) but I am bored of seeing so many black/brown pants. Like I said above, give me NAVY BLUE at the very least! Also, the costume is still a very integral part of one's performance and while I get that this one is depressing and serious, the costume doesn't have to be depressing also; a beige shirt and brown pants? Jeremy, please, I want to see just a little bit more.

Short Program Love: For his Short Program, Jeremy skated to "Spy".  I really LIKED this costume. The asymmetrical holster--very Hipster Fashionista, the slick back hair, the (almost) fingerless gloves. This costume--even though it's still a gray shirt and very tight dark gray/black pants--works with the music and performance--and still, keeps this Fashion Designer/Commentator (moi) interested.



Blue and Black Theme:

Armin Mahbanoozadeh of the USA: He skated his Free Skate to "Dr. Who" wearing a black and blue stretch top and black pants...

Doug Razzano USA skated his Free Skate to "Queen Symphony by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Tolga Kashif"--he also wore a blue and black stretch top with black pants...WHO, was the BEST blue-and-black Men's Costume?

Finally...Here's my Pick for Best in Men's Costume at Skate America 2012:

Tatsuki Machida of Japan--Free Dance Costume--He skated to "The Firebird" and his costume was FABULOUS! The neckline and upper torso red and yellow sequin detail was marvelous and went perfectly with the black illusion rest of his top. This is a PERFECT Men's Costume for that particular music. Not every male can get away with this look (at this point we know we'll never see Jeremy Abbott or Patrick Chan sporting this style), but if you can carry it off, and Tatsuki can, then Go For It!



*Next Up, The Ladies and Ice Dance Costumes at Skate America 2012