Figure Skating Costumes: The World Figure Skating Championships in Moscow: The Ladies!!

Figure Skating Costumes: The World Figure Skating Championships in Moscow: The Ladies!!

Some Old and Some New...Costumes...that is:

Semi-Smile, Basic Smile, and Big-Ol' Smile: (L to R) Korea's Yu-Na Kim (Silver), Japan's Miki Ando (Gold) and Italy's Carolina Kostner (Bronze), 2011 World Figure Skating Championships

On my previous post, I gave my "Nick Two Cents" on the Mens Costumes of last week's 2011 World Figure Skating Championships, so now of course, we are onto the Ladies. The ultimate Gold Medalist of the Ladies was Japan's Miki Ando...

The Silver, a teary-eyed Yu-Na Kim (who had not competed since last year's World Championships and was "the one to watch") and finally, Bronze went to Italy's Carolina Kostner. Costume-wise there were some same-old same-old for this competition and some new. And speaking of NEW, leave it to Russia's Alena Leonova to shake things up--just a little bit--not on the Costume Front, but the HAIR front. Read on kiddies...

Same Costumes:
Carolina Kostner of Italy:

Roberto Cavalli Muse, Carolina Kostner, stuck to the same costumes she used last year during competitions for both her Short Program and Free Skate. For her Short "Galicia Flamenco" Program, she wore an elegant royal blue with black applique lace detail "one-shoulder" costume. Great color, looks well-made and a nice variation on the "Uh Oh, is she about to do 'Carmen'???" Spanish Sevillana look.

For her long--or Free Skate-- again, she stuck to the same costume she's worn before: An asymmetrically draped-and-shirred "Grecian Goddess" number in light pastels and muted golds.

I love these kinds of costumes since it kind of reminds me of the one I created for Sacha Cohen on the "Thin Ice" Challenge of Project Runway Season 2 almost six years ago. In other words, you ain't gonna hear any criticism here darlings...

Semi-Costume Change: Rachael Flatt of the USA

The lovely Rachael Flatt of the USA wore a deep lipstick red "sweetheart neckline" silver crystals and red sequined "Empire line" costume during her Free Program routine at the 2011 Worlds last week. It looked the same as what she had previously worn before. However...I thought something was different:

And after a bit of photo research, yep, I was right: She added sleeves! Above is what she wore at the Four Continents in Taipei Taiwan as well at the 2010 U.S. Nationals--sans sleeves. I like it either way, although my preference would be without sleeves. She looks FAB in strong vibrant colors that also play with her strong and vibrant blond hair--as well as her skating!

Now onto the Costume Change Ladies:

Mao Asada of Japan:

For the 2011 World Figure Skating Championships, Mao Asada kept her same Free Skate lavender-colored costume which she has worn in previous competitions. However, she has almost always changed her Short Program "Tango" costumes.
Here's a sampling:

ISU Trophee Eric Bompard in France (above) in November 2010, and...

One month later at the Japan Figure Skating Championships, December 2010.

Here's the "new-and-improved" red-and-black costume she wore at the 2011 Worlds last week for her short program. Mao is rather hit-or-miss with her costume choices. Sometimes they veer on looking a little too "Toddlers and Tiaras" and something out of a soccer mom's sewing room. And then, when she tries to go a little "sexy", she still somehow has to put some poufy pom-poms or cheap-looking diamante trim. I like the twist-knots and more directional draping of this costume. At least she gets "Nick Verreos Improvement" points.

Yu-Na Kim:

Yu-Na Kim skipped out last year's entire Grand Prix series, wanting to concentrate instead on last week's 2011 Worlds. She came in a VERY Good Second but was saddened and crying throughout the Medal Ceremony (I just wanted to hug her!). In terms of Costumes, she always picks fabulously designed and very expensive-looking costumes that make her look like a Pro as well as a bit of a Figure Skating Fashionista. Since she hadn't competed in about one year, both her Short and Free Programs Costumes were NEW! (Yeayyy for Yu-Na!).
Let's take a look at last year's compared to the new ones:

Before: Short Program Costume--This chic one shoulder sequined number was very Art Deco and "red carpet" worthy.

Now: Yu-Na is still giving one shoulder but with a "twist".This black stretch velvet with blue and silver sequins is both pretty and modern at the same time.

My favorite part is the side and back and how it all seamlessly works its way around her torso.


Her last Free Skate Costume was this blue ensemble featuring a halter neckline with a crystal sequin halter neckline. Once again, she stuck to elegant, lady-like and never too gaudy, kitschy or over-the-top. Just right, for her and her routine.

Now, she chose a modern serious black and silver sequined costume that was again, almost "figure skating costume" text book perfect. I like the curved sequin detail and I especially like that those sequins look Swarovski-expensive (as opposed to poor Mao Asada's I-just-went-to-Jo-Ann's Fabrics-of Tokyo sequins).

And Now, Onto Miss Hair-Krazee: Alena Leonova of Russia

Oh yes, kids, that's one of my favorite Figure Skaters (in terms of KRAZEE Costumes), Alena Leonova of Russia. First of all, I won't even go into her costumes, because I have talked about that dingleberry monstrosity already which she wears to skate to (appropriately enough) "Polka (Circus)" and "La Strada" for her Short Program. Her hair now is all poufy, curly and very Bette Midler. If she thinks that's a good thing, her Gay Russian Hairdresser(I'm guessing here!) may have ill-advised her.

Here's her hair not too long ago--very "Dorothy Hamill Growing Out". The costume, by the way, has changed if only slightly. It seems that she has had it made in several "color ways" as we can see from above and...

Here, both from the ISU Cup of Russia in November 2010.

And for her Free Skate last week at the 2011 Worlds, Miss Leonova, slicked it all back-- her hair that is. She is such a CHAMELEON! I think she's just growing her hair out and can't think of nothing else to do. But even then, this look is a bit "Tanya Harding after a couple of Vodka Tonics" for my taste.


I still have to defer to this hair above. Keep it simple up top Alena. But go Сумасшедший (crazy) with the Costumes!!! PLEASE????

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.