Figure Skating Costume Minute--Trophee Eric Bompard 2012--Costume Recap of the MEN

Figure Skating Costume Minute--Trophee Eric Bompard 2012--Costume Recap of the MEN

Bonjour Paris!

Jeremy Abbott of USA skating his Free Skate at Trophee Eric Bompard 2012 at the Omnisports Bercy, Paris, France

This weekend was the next in a series of international figure skating competitions, the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating. Elite skaters from all over the world are entered in the individual events either by being seeded or
by invitation. The seeding of top skaters at Grand Prix events basically
takes into account their placement from the previous World
Championships, as well as their ISU international ranking. Skaters who
are not seeded can be invited by the hosting country and each country
can invite up to three of their own skaters for each discipline. This is
to give a balanced field throughout the series, as well as allowing the
hosting country a chance to showcase their top competitors.

We started with Skate America, Skate Canada International, Cup of China, Rostelecom Cup (Russia) and now, it's France for the Trophee Eric Bompard 2012. The French installment of the Grand Prix of Figure Skating is held at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, often abbreviated as POPB or Bercy, an indoor sports arena and concert hall on boulevard de Bercy located
in the 12th arrondissement of Paris. But enough of the where, how and when...it's time for my Costume Recap. Let's begin with the MEN:

Jeremy Abbott of USA: Last month for my "Skate America" blog, I discussed this hot little costume that Jeremy Abbott wears for his Short Program to "Spy" by Nathan Lanier.  Here's what I said back then: I really LIKED this costume. The asymmetrical holster--very Hipster Fashionista, the slick back hair, the (almost) fingerless gloves...

For his Free Skate to "Bring Him Home" performed by Steven Jamail --the song "Bring Him Home" is from "Les Misérables" and as some theater-aficionados know, is probably Valjean's best known solo, where he is begging for God to save Marius and send Marius home to him and Cosette. Abbott's costume does give a nod to the clothing worn during 19th Century France with the puffed-sleeve shirt and waist wrap/cummerbund. The colors are rather drab but it's understandable knowing what the song is about and the theme. And also, as a skater and when it comes to his costumes, Jeremy tends to stick to a very safe and masculine style.  I'm not sure we'll be seeing frills, ruffles, Swarovski crystals and feathers a la Weir or Lysacek any time soon from him. With that being said...it doesn't mean I, for one, can't wish he would. At least once! But for this program he stays true to the theme and it works. On another note: CONGRATULATIONS for getting the Silver at Trophee Eric Bompard 2012! Good job Jeremy!



And speaking of frills and Swarovski Crystals...

Brian Joubert of France: Little French Hottie McHottie Joubert skated to Music from the Inception soundtrack by Hans Zimmer.The costume features a unique lace-mesh top and a very impressive sequined "exploding heart" right on the chest. I'm not sure what it all means and how it pertains to the film but I am sure someone who's an "Inception"-buff would quickly school me here if they want to.

 Ken Watanabe and Marion Cotillard in "Inception"

This is the style of costume that is becoming more and more popular with European and Japanese skaters. And I, for one, am all for it! I think it works especially well for Joubert who is known as an athletic-style skater. It helps to bring a visually artistic and more delicate side to his rather masculine approach to skating. I'm sure this isn't an accident amongst his "team" in creating his entire look for the season.

Nan Song of China: He skated his Free Skate to "Symphony No. 4" and "Romeo and Juliet Overture" by Tchaikovsky in this red and black satin and velvet costume with crystals, insets, and criss-cross and pointed details. I appreciate the color and Barry Manilow "At The Copa...Copacabana" aspect of this costume, but it all looks so 1984. It's like they went to the "Figure Skating Costume Archives" and dragged this out from the back of a now-retired male figure skaters suitcase. It's just so polyester-y and two seconds away from a "Carnival Cruise Ship" Dinner Theater Show.

 Pass the Paella: Japanese figure skater Takahito Mura skating his Short program to

"Malaguena" by Ernesto Lecuona

Takahito Mura of Japan: I've already discussed the costumes that Japanese figure skater Takahito Mura has worn during this 2012-2-13 Grand Prix Season for both his Short Program and Free Skate. You can read my reviews HERE. But since he did win the Gold at Trophee Eric Bompard 2012 this weekend, I felt that he--and his costumes--should be included.

Above is his Spanish Bullfighter-themed costume he wore to his Short Program to "Malaguena" by Ernesto Lecuona. I liked it overall-the beading and jeweled trim on the shoulders, neck and side pant panels were fantastic and the shot of blood red in his waist sash was just right for the music and fiery skate.

For his Free Skate to Music from the TV series Shogun, he wore this above. I also reviewed this already HERE and I also liked it. And from looking at the metallic grommeted details throughout the top of the costume in the top right photo, I am now an even bigger fan!

Top Three Men: (left to right) Silver Medalist  Jeremy Abbott of USA, Gold Medalist Takahito Mura of Japan and Bronze Medalist Florent Amodio of France, ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Trophee Eric Bompard 2012 at
Omnisports Bercy, Paris, France

***Up Next--The Ladies Costume Recap of Trophee Eric Bompard 2012

Figure Skating Costumes: The World Figure Skating Championships Moscow: The Men!!

Figure Skating Costumes: The World Figure Skating Championships Moscow: The Men!!

The Dandy Men...Ruffled Collars, Brocade Vests, Sequins and Carnival Cruise Dance Troupe Colors!!!

Go Canada: Patrick Chan of Canada wins Gold at the 2011 World Figure Skating Championships

The 2011 World Figure Skating Championships just finished in Moscow at the Megasport Ice Rink in Moscow Russia. There was a time there when no one knew if the Worlds would even happen since originally, they were scheduled to take place in Tokyo Japan. Following the massive earthquake and tsunami, the International Skating Union had to come out with a statement which read: "The Japanese Skating Federation regretfully and reluctantly declines hosting the Championships."
Soon after this announcement, the ISU had received bids to stage the event from Russia (Moscow), Canada (Vancouver, British Columbia), the United States (Colorado Springs, Colorado or Lake Placid, New York), Finland (Turku), Croatia and Austria.
And Moscow won and they put on a great show (Kudos to Moscow!).

With the watchful eye of Prime Minister Putin (seen above NOT cracking a smile, as usual), the Championships took place. Well, of course, as you know I LOVE me some Figure Skating Competitions--yes, for the sport which I am a fan of, but mainly for the COSTUMES!
So, here I begin my "Nick Verreos Worlds Figure Skating Costumes Report" and I start with THE MEN (naturally!):

Patrick Chan of Canada:

Patrick Chan of Canada won a Gold for his near-perfect skating and as you can see above, he was just a "tad" bit excited. He set new records for both his Short Program and Free Skate. In terms of Costumes (which is what we REALLY care about here!), he wore the same costumes for the World Championships that he featured at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2010/2011 Cup of Russia back in November of last year. For his Free Skate to "The Phantom of the Opera" by Andrew Lloyd Webber, he wore a metallic brocade vest with fitted jacket and white bow-tied shirt underneath.

And for his Short Program to "Take Five" by Paul Desmond, he wore a black vest with contrast white piping and sequined "Argyle" diamond details in the back--finished off with sequined-studded "tuxedo" pants. He is serious and all "business" from the front, but...

A Sequined Party in the back!

And now onto the Costume Changing Boysssssss...
Daisuke Takahashi of Japan:

In contrast with Parick Chan most of the other top male skaters did change their costumes (which I was happy about but a bit strange for just the last event of the season). Japan's Daisuke Takahashi--he, of the KRAZEE coiffed and hair-sprayed hair (do Japanese girls like that??)-- changed BOTH his Short Program and Free Skate costumes. Same music, different costumes.

Last year's Free Skate Costume looked like this above: Billowing bishop sleeves in sheer black with diamantes, and a double-breasted vest in red and black. While for the 2011 World Figure Skating Championships last week, Takahashi wore this:

Notice something "kinda" similar? Same Costume, but different "Color Way" kids! So, if you want to get technical, it's really still the same costume.

Now, for his Short Program last year at Skate America 2010, he wore this colorful and very "A Night At The Copacabana" ensemble. Well darlings, I think he and his "people" didn't think it was "Latin" enough because this past week, he wore THIS:

He went from looking like the Conductor of a Band in Havana Cuba to the "sexually questionable" dancer on a Carnival Cruise to San Juan Puerto Rico! And I for one, LOVE IT! First of all: The color and prints are FAB-U-LOUS!!! And I especially love that he embraces the costumes along with the accompanying music. He doesn't do it 65%, he goes 110%!!

Nobunari Oda of Japan:

Now, onto another Japanese Skater, baby-faced Nobunari Oda--He also changed his costumes. At Skate America 2010 last year, he wore this above for his Free Skate--a white "blouse" with a "hint" of black applique and an asymmetrical ruffle collar/neckline.
But for the 2011 Worlds...

He got rid of the cascading ruffle and added more black embroidered applique, which I think was a wise decision. The shirt has much more of an impact now. I think he might be learning from his country-mate Takahashi: Take it from 65% to 110% darling! He did, in his own baby-faced way.

Takahiko Kozuka of Japan:

The other top Japanese skater, Takahiko Kozuka also did (kind of) a Costume Change, when it came to his Short Program. At last year's ISU Grand Prix Final in Beijing China, he wore a pinstriped vest and pants, along with a "retro" printed shirt.

Well, for the 2011 Worlds, he thankfully got rid of that vest as seen above. I am NOT a fan of those ubiquitous vests for Male Figure Skaters (Boys: It's getting TIRED!!!). And exposed the shirt that was hiding underneath in all its "What Thrift Store Did He Get That From?" glory.

Brian Joubert of France:

Hunk of all Figure Skating Hunks (I mean SERIOUSLY, look at THAT...Upper Leg Muscle!). Anyhow--Monsieur Joubert changed costumes for his Free Skate to Symphony No. 9 by Beethoven. Above is his new Free Skate Costume, a powder blue stretch lace (now you KNOW you are a so-called "Real Man" if you are comfortable enough with your masculinity to wear POWDER BLUE STRETCH LACE!) plunging-neck top with UBER tight blue pants. To be honest, I'm not so much a fan of this new costume. He looks like a Ballet Dancer from a third-rate ballet company in Suburbia USA, but (at least) it is an improvement from...

This (above) costume which he last wore at the ISU Figure Skating Championships in March 2010 in Torino Italy. The whole top looks like a costume reject from Mad Max-meets-Braveheart. Brown and muted mustard have NEVER been my favorite of color combinations, darlings.

And...Finally: An Honorable Costume Mention Goes to: Amodio Florent of France

A Futuristic Mexican "Mariachi" featuring a studded vest with CHAPS!!! And a Michael Jackson Tribute in Blue Sequins, suspenders, and fingerless gloves. It just doesn't get any better! Enough said. Thank you Florent. Merci.