ICE STYLE.....ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Finals 2015/2016 Barcelona: Costumes Recap & Highlights PAIRS and ICE DANCE

ICE STYLE.....ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Finals 2015/2016 Barcelona: Costumes Recap & Highlights PAIRS and ICE DANCE

Pairs and Ice Dance Grand Prix: Costume Collage of Pairs and Ice Dance at the 2015/2016 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Finals Barcelona

This past weekend were the Finals of the 2015/2016 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating which were held in Barcelona Spain. The top skaters in various disciplines competed for the top titles.  I've discussed many of the costumes during this season's Grand Prix series here on my blog. Just go to the "Search" section (on the right of this blog) under "Ice Style" and you'll find them all.

2015/2016 ISU Grand Prix Final Barcelona Spain

So...it's time to recap some of the costumes from the PAIRS and ICE DANCE skaters. I'll do a blog on the LADIES and MEN afterward...



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

Top Three Pairs: (L to R) Silver medalists Duhamel and Radford of Canada; Russia's gold medalists Stolbova and Klimov; bronze medalists from Russia Kavaguti and Smirnov--2015/2016 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final Barcelona Spain

Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford Canada: For 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 back detail. One word: Exquisite.

Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov: Short Program (top)
to I Put a Spell on You performed by
Annie Lennox, I loved their costumes,
especially hers. She wore a black high-neck costume with a exposed side with
sequined side straps. Modern and Skating Chic.

For their Free Skate (lower photo) to Man and Shadow (The Unknown Known soundtrack) by Danny Elfman, Stolbova and Klimov wore these post-modern directional costumes. I liked these costumes,
especially her gathered and criss-cross ribbon look; very modern, very chic,
once again.  

Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov: Kavaguti and Smirnov wore these costumes for their Free Skate to Manfred Symphony by Petr I. Tchaikovski. I was more of a fan of HIS costume than hers. I liked his sheer chiffon and sequined top with sexy black pants. But for some reason, her costume looked dated and way too traditional (compared to his). I also wasn't a fan of that neck piece.

Alexa Scimeca and Chris Knierim USA: These are the costumes they wore for their Short Program to Nothing Else Matters by Metallica. These were the prefect costumes to wear for such a program. I liked her studded 80's-like bustier and his outfit, in particular, looked Rocker-Fab! Especially his finger-less leather gloves and studded belt.

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

Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte Italy: For their Short Dance to The Merry Widow by Franz Lehar, they wore these costumes. I thought these were very effective for the music. I liked the gathered tulle detail of her neckline and his "uniform"-like look was very nice.

Free Dance to La Dolce Vita by Nino Rota Soundtrack: I was also a big fan of these costumes. Her black sequined "strapless" costume was very Retro and Glam and I liked the white tulle underskirt. Luca looked sexy and very Hot Italiano in his white tuxedo shirt-and-black pant ensemble.

Madison Chock and
Evan Bates USA: Skated
their Short Dance to More by Andrea
Bocelli and Unchained Melody by
Il Divo in these looks above. I thought that Madison--as always--looked beautiful and so
feminine in this ultramarine blue dress. I liked the intricate gathering and
draping at the torso and how the multicolored sequins were used in strategic
locations. I also liked the contrast color of the underskirt. Evan's tuxedo
with tails was sharp and I appreciated how his pocket hankie was the same color
as Madison's
dress. And I REALLY appreciated him slicking his hair back and at least giving
the impression of being a little more "formal" and fancy.

Free Dance to Concerto No. 2 Adagio by Sergei Rachmaninov and Concerto No. 2 Allegro by Sergei Rachmaninov: I really liked these costumes worn by USA'a Chock and Bates. Her one shoulder ombre shaded dress was pretty and ethereal. But he was really the (Costume) star here with his asymmetrical neckline side draped top. 

Maia and Alex Shibutani USA: For their Short Dance to Coppelia by Leo Delibes, these are the costumes they wore. I was at first a bit surprised at the "Prom Princess"-like look of Maia's pink and sequin costume. But as the routine was being performed, I realized that it was very "Coppelia" a fit the dance perfectly. Alex look great, by the way. I would have liked for his costume to be a bit more "designed", but overall they both looked great.

Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje Canada: Weaver and Poje skated their Short Dance to "The Blue Danube" and "Annepolka" by Johann Strauss in these gorgeous costumes. These were stupendous. I loved both his and hers. very Luxe and very Skating Couture.

Free Dance to On the Nature of Daylight by Max Richter and Run by Ludovico Einaudi: For their Free Dance at the 2015/2016 ISU Grand Prix Finals, Canada's Weaver and Poje wore these blue-gray ombre draped costumes. I absolutely loved them. This was a costume change from what they wore for the Rostelecom Cup/Cup of Russia:

Rostelecom Cup/Cup of Russia 2015

The new costumes were beautiful, modern, ethereal and drape-gorgeous!

**NEXT UP: The LADIES and MEN Costume HIGHLIGHTS of the 2015/2016 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 

Figure Skating Costume Minute--NHK Trophy 2012--Ice Dance Costumes!

Figure Skating Costume Minute--NHK Trophy 2012--Ice Dance Costumes!

NHK Trophy 2012 Costume Finale: Get 'Em Cowgirl, Geisha Chic and Mod Fab

Top Three Ice Dance: (left to right) Silver medalists Nikita Katsalapov and Elena Ilinykh of Russia, Gold Medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White of USA and Bronze Medalists Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani of USA, ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating NHK Trophy 2012, Sekisui Heim Super Arena Rifu, Japan

Finishing my reviews of the NHK Trophy 2012, you can read my "two cents" on the Ladies HERE, the Men HERE, and the Pairs HERE...it's time for the always fantastic, never dissapointing colorful and a little over-the-top ICE DANCE costumes. First...



I think I just DIED and went to Figure Skating Costume HEAVEN:

Nicole Orford and Thomas Williams of Canada: For their Short Dance to "Sold" by John Michael Montgomery and "Tennesse Waltz" by Anne Murray. How. In the Name of the Figure Skating Costume Gods. Did I miss these throughout all my Costume Recaps this 2012-2013 Grand Prix season???? One look at these costumes, and I wanted to jump onto the ice and do the two-step and eat some hot & spicy chicken wings with them! All at the same time! Seriously.

Whoever designed these, please tell me so I can give you credit here on my blog! I demand it. Because they are fantastic. I love Thomas' red Western shirt, jeans, Western belt...he looks like the King of the Rodeo! And Nicole looks AMAZEEENG in her blue denim-like laced-up bustier and the double-tiered skirt. But can I tell you my favorite part (and I think you know by now):

Her Cowgirl Skate Boot Covers Y'all !!!I want a pair...for the next time I hit my local ice rink!

For their Free Dance, Orford and Williams toned it down and went more elegant, less "Fun Time at the O.K. Corral". Here the music, naturally, dictated their more conservative classic looks. They skated to "High Society Overture" and "Now You Have Jazz" by Bing Cosby and Louis Armstrong. I liked her apple green charmeuse halter-neck costume. It was pretty, delicate and appropriate for the music. And Thomas looked like a dapper gentleman who would be dancing with such a pretty girl. His cravat and jacquard-like vest look right.

Yu Xiaoyang and Wang Chen of China: The Country & Western theme must have been "in the water" for these Ice Dancers, because it wasn't only Canada who got bit by the Line Dancin' Bug. For their Short Dance, this Chinese Pair skated to "Oh Susanna" and "Twilight Waltz" by Johnny Gimble. These costumes were colorful--sassy and combined all the right elements for the music. Notice how they brought the red color of her notched-collar costume into his ensemble by giving him a red hankie. Smart. And yes kids, you do notice that there was "mini fringe" in her hem. Of course.

Penny Coomes/ Nicholas Buckland of Great Britain: For their Free Dance to "Basement Jaxx vs Metropol Orkest". On a positive note: I do like the colors on her costume; the bright pink and purple, combined with the black background, make for a great contrast. And I do appreciate how the purple was brought back to his gray plaid vest in the welt pockets. However, she looks like an extra in the Eurovision-like "Nutcracker" ballet segment of the "Waltz of the Flowers". It's a bit of a mess, unfortunately.

Elena Ilinykh and Nikita Katsalapov of Russia: I discussed these costumes that Ilinykh and Katasalapov wore for their Short Dance to "Andijan Polka" HERE. They were one of my FAVORITE Ice Dance Costume looks for this season. The colors, the print, her headband, his navy and gold-trimmed coat...all Costume FANTASTIC!

Cathy Reed and Chris Reed of Japan: Michigan, US-born half-Japanese brother-and-sister Ice Dance team of Reed and Reed (who represent Japan) skated their Short Dance to "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" wearing these costumes above. The bright pink and shiny fabric of her dress was a bit much, but the overall theme was appropriate for the musical. Well done kids!

For their Free Dance to Selections from "The Beatles", they went pop-art 60's Mod (well, she did!). Again, I really liked these looks. The color-blocked dress on Cathy was very on-trend with 2012 yet seem perfect for the music and ice dance. And notice, kids, how his tie had the SAME colors as her dress. If there was any critique, it's that the costume designer sacrificed him for her "outlandishness" by slapping a white dress shirt and black pants on him. But, I forgive 'em.

Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani of USA: I talked about these great costumes worn by brother-and-sister Ice Dance team of Shinbutani and Shibutani HERE. They skated their Free Dance to John Williams' "Memoirs of a Geisha" and I thought they were PERFECT.

Meryl Davis and Charlie White of USA: I wrote about these fun costumes HERE in case you might have missed it. For their "Yankee Polka" Short Dance to "Giselle", Meryl and Charlie looked great--and more importantly,
appropriate for the music. She was very "St. Pauli Girl" and maybe that's why I loved it! She would make Heidi Klum proud!