ICE STYLE.....ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Finals 2015/2016 Barcelona: Costumes Recap & Highlights--LADIES and MEN!

ICE STYLE.....ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Finals 2015/2016 Barcelona: Costumes Recap & Highlights--LADIES and MEN!

Men and Ladies Costumes: Costumes Highlights of the 2015/2016 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Finals Barcelona

In my last ICE STYLE post HERE, I talked about the PAIRS and ICE DANCE Costumes Highlights of the 2015/2016 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Finals which occurred a couple of weekend's ago in Barcelona Spain. Now, it's time for the LADIES and MEN.



LADIES--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mao Asada Japan: For her Short Program to Bei mir bist du schoen, a famous Yiddish song from a
Yiddish musical, her costume was a fuchsia pink number with silver
diamante crystals with pink trim sewn in flower-like patterns. It also featured
long sleeves and an open back. This was quite feminine and pretty. It wasn't ground
breaking in its design, but the color was impacting and the high neck and open
back made for a striking image.

Free Skate to Madame Butterfly by
Giacomo Puccini: I liked this for the
most part. The ombre-like shading of the delicate lilac color, the obi-like
cummerbund at the waist...there were details I appreciated. It just seemed
to lack Costume DRAMA, which I expect especially with such a dramatic
musical backdrop. And the proportion of the sleeves are a bit
overwhelming. I would, at the very least, shorten the sleeves by a few inches.
But overall, she looked beautiful.

Satoko Miyahara Japan: Satoko Miyahara skated her Short Program to Firedance from
"Riverdance" by Bill Whelan and was very
"Carmen"-like in this red with black netting trim costume. The
design also had scrolling applique and sequins. I wasn't a fan of this. For
some reason, it didn't look polished or expensive enough. I did like the hints
of black contrast and the red rose in her chignon hairstyle but besides this,
it was just not that interesting of a design.

Free Skate to Un
Sospiro by Franz Liszt: Miyahara
wore this fuchsia pink costume featuring silver and multicolored
diamantes and a scroll-like front bustier design. The skirt had tiers in an
ombre-like pink coloration. The look was pretty and very starting-out
ballerina. Nothing spectacular about this. She looked like she was part of the
Junior Skating group. I'm sure it must be difficult to make her look
sophisticated since she is all but a mere 17-years old. But I do appreciate the
beautifully tiered skirt!

Evgenia Medvedeva Russia: For her Short Program to Melodies of the White Nights (soundtrack) by Isaak Schwarz, Evgenia wore this marsala/wine-colored costume with small
sequined crystals. The costume was very Figure Skating 101 in its design and I
wished for something a little more extraordinary.

Free Skate to "Music
from W.E. Soundtrack" by
Abel Korzeniowski (Right): Here, Evgenia gave me what I was asking
for. I liked this blue sequined costume. She looked liked Wallis Simpson in
this costume, or at least vibed her look, even with her pale skin and dark
hairstyle.

Elena Radionova Russia: For her Free Skate to "Titanic"
(soundtrack) by James Horner to this costume above. The costume was
trying to give hints of a turn-of-the-century look worn by actress Kate
Winslet when she played Rose DeWitt Bukater. Elena's
costume was lilac colored based with a pink/red waist sash and sequins
throughout the top section. This was half Adolescent Figure Skating Costume and
half-Professional; it seemed a tad bit too "youngish"-looking but I
get that Elena is, after all, only 16 years old. But still, I wish her costume
here showed slight maturity.

Ashley Wagner USA: For her
Free Skate to Diamonds (from "Moulin Rouge" soundtrack), One Day
I'll Fly Away (from "Moulin Rouge" soundtrack), The Show Must Go
On (from "Moulin Rouge" soundtrack, she wore this costume above. I really liked this
white with gold sequin applique design. I especially adore the "necklace". While it was the same Free Skate as last season, Ashley completely changed up her look. The costume was more "Bollywood" Diva and less "Nicole Kidman
Moulin Rouge" and I loved that.

Gracie Gold USA: For her Short Program to El Choclo by Angel Villoldo, Gracie wore this chic black and red costume featuring a nude illusion open back, red and silver crystals. It was very Moderno Tango Couture. She said that this costume is like a "Louboutin" shoe...since it's got the pop of red from underneath. #LoveIt



MEN-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yuzuru Hanyu Japan: For his Short Program to the same music he
skated to last season, Ballade No. 1 op. 23 in G minor by Frederic
Chopin, Yuzuru wore this costume above. It
was a slight change (very slight) from what he wore last season to
the same music. The cummerbund is
copper as opposed to the original black and the top/blouse is a more subtle
ombre shading and features panels (on the midriff side and sleeves) of gold.
 I liked this.

Patrick Chan Canada: For his Short Program to Mack the Knife performed by Michael Buble, Canada's Patrick Chan wore this "contemporary"-looking costume comprised of a white dress shirt, v-neck sweater and gray trousers. The look is not much of a costume but it worked with the Michael Buble music. I'm usually not a fan of a non-costume costume but I'll give Patrick a pass...this time. But, he still should have put on a belt. That I won't forgive him; he looks "undone". And if he ever does put on a belt, I hope he makes sure that it is a nice non-Ross Dress-For-Less one.

Daisuke Murakami Japan: For his Short Program to Bring Him Home performed by Josh Groban from "Les Miserables", Daisuke wore this draped neck creme "blouse" with black pants costume. He accessorized it with mustard colored gloves and thin brown belts. It was a very cleaned-up Jean Valjean.

Shoma Uno Japan: For his Short Program to Legends by Sacred Spirits, Japan's Shoma Uno wore this black, gray and silver sequined costume. I liked the unusual embellishments on the top and how it blended seamlessly (almost) with the sold black pants.

Free Skate to Turandot by Giacomo Puccini performed by Vanessa Mae and Nessun Dorma by Giacomo Puccini performed by Paul Potts: Shoma Uno's costume featured an ombre yellow and olive green top with gathered neck as well as a sequined embellished velvet vest. The colors blended nicely and gave hints of the Puccini "Turandot" opera and its Central Asian/Persian story theme.

Javier Fernandez Spain: For his Short
Program to Malaguena performed by Paco de Lucia and Placido Domingo,
Javier wore this costume above...and I liked it! I though he looked sexy (Hola!!),
sharp and very much like a Fab Toreador! The almost blood-red color of his
satin blouse was strong and impacting and his velvet and sequin satin shawl
collared vest was MUY BUENO!

ICE STYLE.....NHK Trophy 2015 Figure Skating Costumes Recap! LADIES, MEN, PAIRS

ICE STYLE.....NHK Trophy 2015 Figure Skating Costumes Recap! LADIES, MEN, PAIRS

Skating Couture: Highlights of some of the figure skating costumes seen at the NHK Trophy 2015, Nagano Japan

This past weekend was the last of six events on the 2015-2016 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating competitions in advance of the Grand Prix Finals. The event was the 2015 NHK Trophy and it was held in Nagano, Japan. I've covered my Figure Skating Costumes Highlights of 2015 Skate Canada HERE, 2015 Cup of China HERE, and the 2015 Rostelecom Cup of Russia HERE, so now, of course, it's time to talk about some of the costumes from 2015 NHK Trohpy.



Let's start with the LADIES:

Top Three: (L to R) Silver medalist Courtney Hicks of USA; gold medalist Satoko Miyahara of Japan; and bronze medalist Mao Asada of Japan--2015 NHK Trophy Nagano Japan

Mao Asada Japan: I've discussed Mao Asada's Free Skate Costume HERE so I wanted to talk about her Short Program costume to Bei mir bist du schoen, a famous Yiddish song from a Yiddish musical. Her costume was a fuchsia pink number with silver diamante crystals with pink trim sewn in flower-like patterns. It also featured long sleeves and an open back. This was quite feminine and pretty. It wasn't ground breaking in its design, but the color was impacting and the high neck and open back made for a striking image.

Satoko Miyahara Japan: Gold medal winner Satoko Miyahara skated her Short Program to Firedance from "Riverdance" by Bill Whelan. She was very "Carmen"-like in this red with black netting trim costume. The design also had scrolling applique and sequins. I wasn't a fan of this. For some reason, it didn't look polished or expensive enough. I did like the hints of black contrast and the red rose in her chignon hairstyle but besides this, it was just not that interesting of a design.

Free Skate to Un Sospiro by Franz Liszt: Miyahara wore this fuchsia pink costume featuring silver and multicolored diamantes and a scroll-like front bustier design. The skirt had tiers in an ombre-like pink coloration. The look was pretty and very starting-out ballerina. Nothing spectacular about this. She looked like she was part of the Junior Skating group. I'm sure it must be difficult to make her look sophisticatedsince she is all but a mere 17-years old. But I do appreciate the beautifully tiered skirt and the fantastic skate that won her the gold!

Courtney Hicks USA: Silver medalist Courtney Hicks wore this costume for her Free Skate to Elizabeth The Golden Age (soundtrack) by Craig Armstrong and A.R. Rahman. The costume featured bright canary yellow fabrication with multicolored sequin work. There were color and style nods to the grand mustard yellow costume worn by actress Cate Blanchett in the "Elizabeth The Golden Age" film. And I did like the subtle tiara in her updo hairstyle. 

Short Program to The Feeling Begins by Peter Gabriel: I really liked this costume on Courtney. The color, the sequin work, the design. And her elegant hairstyle. She looked like a top skater wearing a chic modern costume. Well done.

Ashley Wagner USA: I've written about her Free Skate costume HERE so it was time to talk about her Short program to Hip Hip Chin Chin performed by Club des Belugas. Especially since...she changed it! Can you spot the difference between the left and the right photos above? The left is the new costume and the right is the one she wore previously at Skate Canada 2015 Grand Prix. Similar silhouettes but the new one is much more "Haute" for sure.

 Before: The previous Short Program costume was a halter neckline black number with a simple stretch chiffon skirt, featuring subtle sequin detail--and that back sequin stripe...

After: The newer Short Program costume was much more designed, more sophisticated, more FABULOUS! I loved the fringe skirt and I especially liked the degrade effect of the front torso crystals. This, kids is what a well-done, EXPENSIVE figure skating costume looks like! Very good.

Alena Leonova Russia: Alena skated her Free Skate to Summertime performed by Carmen McRae, Jailhouse Rock by Elvis Presley, In Other Words by April Stevens, Sing Sing Sing performed by the Andrew Sisters in this fun costume above. I liked the bias-cut plaid in the torso/midriff and how it continued onto the skirt. The rest of the costume featured a gathered top with crystals, a red rose at the waist, gloves and arm feathers. This was fun and appropriate with the music.

Short Program to Smile performed by Nat King Cole, Overture - Unveiling the Statue (City Lights soundtrack) by Carl Davis, Terry's Theme (from Limelight soundtrack) by Charlie Chaplin: I also like Leonova's Short Program costume. She always has a knack for making a statement when it comes to her costumes and this little number was no exception. The minute I saw her on the ice I thought "Charlie Chaplin", and lo and behold, that's what she was skating to. I think that's a good thing.

Anna Pogorilaya Russia: Anna skated her Short program to Bolero for Violin and Orchestra by Walter Taieb and Vanessa Mae wearing this wine-red costume. The design featured nude illusion sections with red pieces intertwined. The costume was VERY Anna and very daring. 

Mirai Nagasu USA: Mirai skated her Free Skate to The Great Gatsby (soundtrack). This was the perfect costume interpretation of that film. There were Art Deco-like sequins, flapper-like details, the 1920's headpiece. The costume itself was pretty stunning and I also loved the crystal wristbands/cuffs. 

MEN-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yuzuru Hanyu Japan: First off, Yuzuru did AMAZING!!!! His Free Skate at this past weekend's 2015 NHK Trophy was EVERYTHING! Now, back to the costumes...Yuzuru skated his Short Program to the same music he skated to last season Ballade No. 1 op. 23 in G minor by Frederic Chopin but his 2014-2015 Season costume was slightly different. See if you can spot the difference. The top photo is the newer version which he wore at the 2015 NHK Trophy. In the newer costume, his cummerbund is copper as opposed to black and the top/blouse is a more subtle ombre shading and features panels (on the midriff side and sleeves) of gold. 

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

Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford Canada: Gold medal winning Pairs couple Duhamel and Radford skated 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 gathered halter neckline detail.

Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres France: James and Cipres of France skated their Short Program to Hometown Glory by Adele. Now, I love a unitard/jumpsuit. Especially a good one. And this one on Vanessa is a fabulous one. I like the heavy sequin neckline and wrist detail as well as the faux leather shoulder and high-hip accents. And yes, Morgan looks hot in his costume. All that faux leather strapping and criss-cross belting is very Leather Bar Lite. And I likey.