Figure Skating Costume Minute--NHK Trophy 2012--Costume Recap of the LADIES!

Figure Skating Costume Minute--NHK Trophy 2012--Costume Recap of the LADIES!

The Bedazzled, Feathered, and Multicolored Ladies...

Top Three Ladies: (left to right) Silver Medalist Akiko Suzuki of Japan, Gold Medalist Mao Asada of Japan
and Bronze Medalist Mirai Nagasu of the United States, ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating NHK Trophy 2012, Sekisui
Heim Super Arena in Rifu, Japan

So far this ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2012-2013 Season, I've discussed here on my blog most of these lovely ladies and their costumes--both their Short Program and Free Skate--so I will highlight here the fact that some of my TOP FAVORITE LADIES Costumes were on display at the NHK Trophy 2012 competition in Japan this past weekend--and yes, talk about some skaters I have missed--costume-wise...

Shall we begin?

Agnes Zawadzki of the USA: Agnes's costumes were on my Top Five of Best Costumes for this Grand Prix Season. For sure. I loved both her Short Program costume which she skated to Sex and the City by A. Sigman and her Free Skate costume to Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" by the Boston Pops Orchestra. I wrote about my LOVE for her Pat Pearsall-designed costumes--especially the Free Skate one HERE. Her "Sex and the City" baby blue costume (top, left) evoked the spirit of Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates "Gulf States Princess" of the movie "Sex and the City 2". And her Free Skate costume (top, right) was ABSOLUTELY STUNNING. Nothing else to say. Can't change perfection.

Akiko Suzuki of Japan: Akiko's 2012-2013 Season costumes have also gone through the "Nick Critique"--which you can read HERE. I was a bit lukewarm regarding her Short Program costume (above photo) to the "Kill Bill Soundtrack" but...

I LOVED her costume in her Free Skate to "O" from Cirque du Soleil. Here's what I said: Her costume was pretty
fabulous. It had a one-shoulder neckline silhouette, was blue and green
and had overt Peacock influences--notice the sequin applique and
feathers.I also liked the side draped "skirt" section. This was a very
well done costume. One of the best of this season for sure. Speaking of my favorite costumes...

Mao Asada of Japan: Both of Mao's costumes--for her Short Program to "I Got Rhythm" variations by George Gershwin (above)...

And what she wore for her Season 2012-2013 Season Free Skate to Music from Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky (above) were Figure Skating Red Carpet FABULOUS! I had nothing but effusive costume praise. You can read that HERE.

Ksenia Makarova of Russia: I discussed this sea-foam green asymmetrical modern costume that Russia's Ksenia Makarova wore for her Free Skate to "Megapolis" HERE. Here's a hint: I likeyyy.

Elene Gedevanishvili of Georgia: For some reason, the lovely Elene has escaped my Costume Critique so far this season. She wore this gray ombre-dyed costume for her Short Program to Music from the Schindler's List soundtrack by John Williams. I thought this was clean and modern. It's difficult to evoke--via your costume--the suffering and depth of what the film was about. So, I reserve costume judgement and say that this was OK. It does have a "practice costume"/Jr. figure skater element to its simplicity but I get it.

For her Free Skate costume to Music from Don Quixote by Leon Minkus, she went "Beaded Festive". I like that it was not an overt reference to Spain and all red and black and with a red rose. Good for her--and her costume advisers. The "fringed skirt of her costume is a trend for Figure Skating and she gets points for using that--and delicately--and I do like the paisley-like beading in her torso and the jeweled sequins framing her neckline and underbust. Overall: good Costume Job Elene!

Mirai Nagasu of the USA: I love me some Mirai. I really do. And yes, I have talked about her costumes for this ISU Grand Prix Season 2012-2013--and you can read that HERE. I liked it, overall, and yes, I talked about that fringe skirt--and yes kids--it's a TREND! But what I wanted to discuss here is how much I appreciate the back and how those diamantes continue and miter. She's a bit "Pageant-&-Tiaras" with this costume but my Pageant-Loving side, really likes it.

Sofia Biryukova of Russia:  For her Short Program, the petite Sofia skated to Music from the Seven Years in Tibet soundtrack by John Williams and I really liked her black illusion, sequined and chiffon "skirt" costume. I thought it was sexy, modern and had a nod to the film. I also liked the shot of red in the tassel detail.

For her Free Skate to Music from Turandot by Giacomo Puccini --another very popular theme this 2012-2013 Grand Prix Season--I liked this violet-hued costume that Sofia wore. It featured a nod to the Chinoiserie style, the curved nude illusion torso and the gold embroidery. It was simple, modern yet still costume-y.



***Up Next: Ice Dance and Pairs Costume Recap of NHK Trophy 2012 !

Figure Skating Costume Minute--Cup of China 2012--Ladies Costume Recap!

Figure Skating Costume Minute--Cup of China 2012--Ladies Costume Recap!

Time for the Ladies!

Mao Asada of Japan at ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2012/2013 Lexus Cup of China

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2012 Cup of China is ending today but that doesn't mean my Costume "Two Cents" has to--there's still a couple more disciplines I need to discuss--Ladies and Ice Dance, of course...So, let's see what the pretty LADIES featured in Shanghai China this past weekend:

Joshi Helgesson of Sweden:  Sometimes when I am recapping these Figure Skating Costumes and giving my "Nick Two Cents", I say (as a not-so-positive critique) "Oh that costume looks like she's an extra from Cirque du Soleil". Well kids, this costume above looks TOTALLY like it's from Cirque du Soleil, and guess what? It's because that's the music she skated to! So, here IT WORKS! Yes, the lovely Helgesson skated to "Mystere" and "Taiko" from Cirque du Soleil and the costume perfectly reflected this, working seamlessly with the music.

I loved the bright colors, the multi-colored shredded "skirt" section, and how she carried the look even to her eye makeup. Now, some may argue that it's too much--even for a Cirque du Soleil-themed skate but I am not one of those people; whoever made this costume gets lots of "Nick Costume Points"!

Amelie Lacoste of Canada: Amelie skated her Short Program to "The Feeling Begins" by Peter Gabriel. The song is from "Passion: Music for The Last Temptation of Christ". Her lipstick red costume was very "Near Eastern Princess Meets Pageant Girl", featuring crystal trim and side "cut-out''s". I like her forehead crystal "crown" but I think she didn't need the armband. It just looks as if she had extra trim and said "Oh, don't throw it away...I can use it on my arm!". Next time, keep it in the trim bin darling.

Li Zijun of China: The dainty (she's all of 5'0"!) and doll-like Li Zijun of China skated her Free Skate to Music from Sleeping Beauty by Tchaikovsky. She wore this dusty rose colored costume with intricate yet beautifully-placed sequin detail on the neckline and throughout her torso. 

 Elie Saab Spring/Summer 2011 Haute Couture

The design looked expensive and reminded me of a "Mini-me" of an Elie Saab Haute Couture gown with its delicate details.

Kiira Korpi of Finland: Kiira skated her Short Program to "The Girl with the Flaxen Hair" by Claude Debussy. I thought this was a very pretty costume. I loved the caviar beaded arm and top yoke section, which to me, was very "Old School Vera Wang" and the tone-on-tone coloring on the rest of the costume gave it dimension and interest. I'm just a little concerned with a possible "wardrobe malfunction" moment with the side above-the-chest "cut-out's" being so near and dear to her "sisters". I'm sure that's a faux cut-out and covered with illusion but still, I think design-wise, it's a bit too "cut-out".

For her Free Skate Kirra skated to Music from the Once Upon a Time in America soundtrack by by Ennio Morricone--in which she earned the Third Place Bronze Medal at the Cup of China 2012. The model gorgeous Kiira Korpi wore a mauve-colored costume with a shirred and draped torso, asymmetrical shoulder details and mini sequins strewn throughout it. I liked this costume, especially the draping and heavy-to-light crystal effect. Kiira is so pretty that I have a feeling she could put a (pink) Hefty Bag on and still look Barbie Pretty!

Julia Lipnitskaia of Russia: Julia was very, very good this weekend at Cup of China 2012, so good, she got the Silver Medal. PS: The American girls really need to STEP IT UP! If Julia is this good now, I can't imagine how FABULOUS she will be at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. I would not be surprised if she does great there and ends up on the Medal Podium. Oh, and did I mention she's ONLY FOURTEEN!

Now, in terms of her costumes, let's begin with this one above which she wore for her Short Program to "Sabre Dance" (modern arrangement) by Khachaturian. The music evokes a whirling war dance in an Armenian dance where the dancers display their skills with sabres. I always stand at attention (in my couch, of course), whenever I see a ladies figure skater wearing a body suit. Let's just say, it's not the norm by any means and at the same time, I have to be honest in that I am not such a fan. Take a look at Carolina Kostner's sequined-encrusted bodysuit with that Camel-toe! With that said, I think that her costume/bodysuit worked with the music and her super skating, even though, to me it had nothing to do with Sabres, Armenia or War Dancing.

Her costume looked more like a semi-Halloween costume for someone trying to be Josephine Baker (above). But, like I said, somehow it still worked. Is it the most attractive skating costume? No, but it was impacting. It did what it needed to do.

For her Free Skate, little Julia skated to the "Pas de Deux" from The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky . I hesitate in being too critical in my opininon because she's only FOURTEEN! But... it looks like a cheap lace lingerie. It was white with Lycra and stretch lace and has beading throughout. I am alarmed by the sheerness of the lace on a FOURTEEN year old and I think that this costume--especially on a Russian skating to a Russian composer's famed "Pas de Deux" should have been more Dame Margot Fonteyn and less Victoria's Secret.

Mirai Nagasu of USA: Mirai was the only US female skatinr competing in the Ladies discipline at Cup of China 2012. For her Short Program to "Downhill Special" by Benny Goodman, she wore this fuchsia-colored costume with diamante trim and a fringe "skirt" section. The trim led up to a halter/choker neckline. This whole "fringe" or "car wash" effect on the skirts of ladies' costumes seems to be a trend of sorts in figure skating. I guess, the costume designers are trying to find new ways of doing the skirts and showing movement. I like the bright color but overall, she is verging on a Miss Teen Pageant Girl gown.

For her Free Skate to "Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78" by Camille Saint-Saens, this royal blue costume was more elegant and seemed at least to upgrade her from a "Miss Teen" to an actual "Miss USA". I liked the asymmetrical design on the front of her torso as well as how it continued onto the halter neckline straps. Nice (costume) job Mirai!

Mao Asada of Japan: In the past, Mao Sada has been a bit hit-or-miss in terms of  her costume choices. This season, she got it RIGHT, RIGHT, RIGHT! For both her Short Program and Free Skate, she was a "Hit" on my Costume list! For her Short Program to "I Got Rhythm" variations by George Gershwin, Asada wore this coral and silver criss-cross draped and shirred costume that looked chic, sexy and like a...

Rodarte-meets-Marchesa dress. Above is a Rodarte dress from their Fall 2008 collection.

I LOVED the open back (seen above). Notice that only her upper back is covered by skin-colored illusion and the rest, completely bare. I think this is so modern and right-on! I know that there are rules in terms of how much skin can even be showing. Now, I put this question up to my readers here: do you think these rules are too "old-school" and "Figure Skating Prehistoric"? My take on this subject is a resounding YES!

For her Long Program to Music from Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky, Mao wore this gorgeous ivory, gray and silver costume which I also loved. The details on it were very Haute and I even liked the "shredded" skirt. My favorite part, however, were the wrist details. The entire look was so...

 Natalie Portman in Black Swan

Congratulations to the Top Three Ladies at Cup of China 2012: (left to right) Kiira Korpi (Bronze), Mao Asada (Gold) and Julia Lipnitskaia (Silver)--and yes kids: WATCH out for that little Julia! She may have semi-tacky costumes, but...her skating is SUPERB and could be the one to watch!



*** Next: The Ice Dance Costumes at Cup of China 2012