Top Three Men: Gold medalist Takahito Mura (center), silver medalist Takahiko Kozura (L) of Japan and bronze medalist Nan Song of China (right)--2014 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships Taipei City, Chinese Taipei
In my last ICE STYLE blog HERE, I discussed the LADIES and PAIRS Costumes of the 2014 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, so now it's time to get to the MEN and ICE DANCE.
Let's begin with the MEN:
Adam Rippon of the US, Short Program: Adam skated his Short Program to Suite from Carmen for Strings and Drums by Georges Bizet and Rodion Shchedrin. This above is a gloriously elegant costume hinting at a toreador bolero and remaining modern yet classic at the same time. I like it!
Adam Rippon of US, Free Skate: I've discussed this costume from Adam Rippon before for his Free Skate to L'après-midi d'un faune (Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun) by Claude Debussy. You can read that HERE. Let's just say that yes, I likey!
Chih-I Tsao of Taiwan, Free Skate: Chih-I Tsao is a skater I have not discussed before so I am happy to do so. He skated his Free Skate to Loreley by Naoki Sato, music to an anime film from 2005. I actually loved this silver and black costume. It was interesting, fashionable and it really caught my attention...in a good way. I love the epaulet detail and sequined waistband. Thank goodness he is giving me SOMETHING!
David Kranjec of Australia, Short Program: David is another figure skater whose costumes I have never discussed. This one above is what he wears to his Short Program to Who Wants to Live Forever by Queen performed by David Garrett. It is a complete jumpsuit in black with accents of red, neon yellow and splashes of sequins with a nude illusion front panel. It's a little bit "Cirque du Soleil". Now speaking of Cirque...
Dong Won Lee of South Korea, Short Program: Dong Won Lee of South Korea wears this above for his Short Program to Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra by Salvador Bacarisse. Maybe it's the puke-like colors of the pants (change that PLEASE!) or the very eye-jarring neon ombre blouson top with front flaps, sequins and applique...He looks like a Parrot from South America. This would be a good thing if...his theme and music were Brazilian, Ecuadorian, Venezuelan...well...name a South American nation.
Jeremy Ten of Canada, Short Program: Jeremy wore this costume above for his Short Program to Dance For Me Wallis (from "W.E." soundtrack) by Abel Korzeniowski. I like its simplicity and color-scheme, but at the same time, I am confused at what this has to do with the film and Arianne Phillips' fabulous costumes for the movie.
Jeremy Ten of Canada, Free Skate: For his Free Skate to Variations by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jeremy wore this colorful costume above. I like this better, only for its "Costume Kitsch" factor that is very Cirque du Soleil-like...even though this was NOT a Cirque du Soleil musical skate.
Joshua Farris of US, Free Skate: I love this costume, worn by Joshua Farris for his Free Skate to Schindler's List (soundtrack) by John Williams. You can read HERE my full thoughts.
Takahiko Kozuka of Japan, Free Skate: Oh Takahiko...this blouson top-and-black pant costume just doesn't do it for me. Takahiko wore this for his Free Skate to Introduction et Rondo Capriccioso Op. 28 by Camille Saint-Saens. The deep plum-colored top with sequins is pretty but does nothing to enhance the presentation of his skate. It is as if he bought that top at a Figure Skating Costume store. He needs to do better.
Nan Song of China, Free Skate: Nan Song wore this drop-waist blouson silver/gray cardigan with black pants costume for his Free Skate to The Mission by Ennio Morricone. There is a "suggestion" of Colonial Period Costume but to me, this looks more like Chanel Haute Couture. This is both good and not-so-good. I have to admit: I kinda like it!
Takahito Mura of Japan, Free Skate: Takahito wears his costume for his Free Skate to Shogun. It could be much better. I have discussed this costume HERE. He wore this same costume two seasons ago in 2012-2103. He needs to update it.
Ice Dance Costumes Highlights:
Emi Hirai and Marien de la Asuncion of Japan, Free Dance: Hirai and Marien of Japan skated their Free Dance to Breadcrumbs (from "Skyfall" soundtrack), Silhouette (from "Skyfall" soundtrack), Golden Eye (James Bond soundtrack), James Bond Theme. Their costumes show the dark sexy theme of the film and overall this was a good Costume show.
Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier of Canada, Free Dance: I absolute LOVE these costumes worn by Canada's Gilles and Poirer for their Free Dance to End Credit (from "Hitchcock" soundtrack) by Danny Elfman, Explosion (from "Hitchcock" soundtrack) by Danny Elfman, The Premiere (from "Hitchcock" soundtrack) by Danny Elfman, The Rainstorm by Bernard Hermann. You can read HERE of what I thought of these fab costumes.
Kharis Ralph and Asher Hill of Canada, Free Dance: Two words for these Canadians--costume-wise: GO Canada! I think these costumes were fun and perfect for their very energetic Free Dance to Samba Vocalizado, Chorado by F. de Brito and Magalenha. Watching their skate and seeing these costumes made me want to book a trio to Rio, like NOW!
Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue of US, Free Dance: These costumes worn by Americans Hubbell and Donohue for their Free Dance to Nocturne Into Bohemian Rhapsody by Lucia Micarelli wee OK; I liked hers and I also liked his...however, not together. I really DISLIKE when the woman and the man DO NOT seem as if they belong together in Ice Dance--costume-wise. And well, this was the case here.
Lynn Kriengkrairut and Logan Giulietti-Schmitt of US, Free Dance: LOVE! These were great costumes worn by US Ice Dancers Kriengkrairut and Giulietti-Schmitt. They skated their Free Dance to Spartacus by Aram Khatchaturian and these costumes were perfect reflections of that.
Danielle Obrien and Gregory Merriman of Australia, Free Dance: Two words: Oh Dear! This Australian Ice Dance team wore this colorful costumes for their Free Dance to Thunder and Blazes performed by Sounds of the Circus South Shore Concert Band, Goofus performed by Sounds of the Circus South Shore Concert Band, Complainte de la Butte by Rufus Wainwright and The Southener performed by The Merle Evans Circus Band. Now, I said "Oh Dear!" but...I actually really like these; they're fun, colorful and right for the music.
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