ICE STYLE.....Figure Skating Costumes Recap/Highlights of the Sochi 2014 Olympics Ice Dance Costumes!

 USA Gold: Gold medalists (center) Meryl Davis and Charlie White waive to the crowd at the Ice Dance Finals Sochi Olympics Medal Ceremony, Iceberg Skating Palace Sochi Russia

Last night were the Ice Dance Finals at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. I had the pleasure of being invited to be part of NBC's "Olympic Ice" show on NBC.com to talk about the Ice Dance costumes with 2002 Olympic gold medalist Sarah Hughes earlier yesterday (yes, I woke up very early to watch the finals here where I live in Los Angeles). You can watch my "Nick Costume Recap" HERE. But, here on my blog it's time to discuss the highlights of the Ice Dance costumes and the running theme: Costume Changes! First off, time to congratulate Meryl Davis and Charlie White for getting the gold medal, along with silver and bronze medalists from Canada and Russia respectfully:

Raise Your Bouquets: (left to right) Silver medalists Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada, gold medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White, and bronze medalists Elena Ilinykh and Nikita Katsalapov of Russia--Iceberg Skating Palace Sochi Russia

Now, time for the Costumes-- I want to start with Davis and White, the gold winning Ice Dance pair:

Meryl Davis and Charlie White of the U.S., Free Dance to “Scheherazade” by Nikoli Rimsky-Korsakov: I LOVE these costumes. They belong together--both  Meryl and Charlie meet my criteria that the costumes must have something to do with the music/theme. Meryl looks exotic, sensual and utterly hypnotic, which is what Scheherazade should be in this draped and jeweled costume. In the past, I scoffed at Charlie's tussled messy hair and how I wished--for some of their more elegant programs--that possibly he could have at least added some gel. But I take it back; his messy surfer-boy-like hair works in ANY ice dance he is in. Period. 



Her costume was a different color from what she had worn for the Figure Skating Team Competition at the Sochi 2014 Olympics a couple of weeks back:

Meryl Davis and Charlie White of the U.S., Free Dance, Sochi 20-14 Olympics Team Competition--Her costume was the same but a different color-way as we say. This one was teal-colored while the one she wore to the finals was lilac. She had worn the lilac one to the U.S. Nationals in January:

 Meryl Davis and Charlie White at the Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships at TD Garden on January 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts 

Meryl Davis and Charlie White of the U.S., Short Dance to "My Fair Lady": This above is what they wore for their Short Dance and I liked it since it reflected more of Audrey Hepburn's character in the iconic film and the blouson sleeves/neckline were more in tune with the Period of the movie. It was designed by Randall Christensen of Randall Designs. Christensen, in case you didn't know, was the Costume Designer for ABC's "Dancing With The Stars" from Season 2-12. So, if anyone knows how to create performance, dance-heavy costumes, it is him! This pink costume on Meryl above was a change in what she had previously worn during the entire season for the same program (also designed by Randall Christensen):

 Meryl Davis and Charlie White of the U.S., Short Program costumes, before the Sochi 2014 Olympics

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada, Free Dance to Petit Adagio by Alexander Glazunov, Waltz in Concerto No. 2 by Alexander Glazunov, Allegro Moderato by Alexander Skriabin: Scott wore all black with blouson sleeves and Tessa wore a dusty rose dress with chiffon knee-length skirt and scroll-like sequin applique. Her costume was pretty and delicate, if not a bit underwhelming. But I did recognize the gorgeous and very expensive-looking crystal applique bodice work. This above was a costume change--for Tessa AND Scott--from what they wore for the same Free Dance during the Team Competition:

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada, Free Dance costumes, Sochi 2014 Figure Skating Team Competition: Tessa wore a bright red dress with heavily detailed gold trim and sequins reminiscent of a Faberge egg, while Scott's shirt had contrast red piping, insets and buttons. These costumes seemed very "Russian"--the music itself was Russian-composed. I like the more subtle dusty rose costume which she chose for the Finals. I'm not used to see Tessa costumed so "elaborately".



 Costume Change Queen (and King):

Canadian Costume Changes: For this same Free Dance program, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir have worn these other looks/costumes above. On the left is what they wore at the Canadian Tire National Figure Skating Championships/Canadian Nationals 2014 in January 2014 and the right photo is what they wore for ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2013/2014 on December 2013, Japan.



And then there was another Costume Change:

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada, Short Dance to Foxtrot: Dream a Little Dream by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong; Quickstep: Muskrat Ramble by Louis Armstrong; Foxtrot: Heaven by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong: Scott wore a white tuxedo shirt, black suspenders, bow tie and pants. Tessa wore a black shimmering dress with Art Deco-like neckline detail. This was a costume change for Tessa from what she wore for the Figure Skating Team Competition Short Dance program:

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada, Short Dance, Sochi 2014 Figure Skating Team Competition/Short Dance: Tessa wore a black dress with pointed "car wash" hemmed skirt and black sequin detail. I liked the black dress/costume she wore to the Finals better; the neckline detail seemed more refined, delicate and interesting.

Elena Ilinykh and Nikita Katsalapov of Russia, Free Dance to "Swan Lake": I love these costumes. Simply one of the best of the Ice Dance. Elena and Nikita are the Supermodels of Sochi; both are beautiful and both looked stunning in their costumes. From the photos above (left, the Sochi 2014 Ice Dance Finals tonight and right, the Sochi 2014 Figure Skating Team Competition). I wanted to highlight if you noticed something different/missing--costume-wise. If you guessed her headdress, you are right...(and gloves!):

 Elena wore a red and silver crystal headdress/crown on her forehead for the Finals above, while she went crown-less for the Team Competition. Speaking of crowns...

Elena Ilinykh wore a silver tiara for the ISU Grand Prix NHK Trophy 2013

Ekaterina Brobova Dmitri Soloviev Brobova of Russia, Free Dance to "Man with a Harmonica" from the Once Upon a Time in the West soundtrack by Ennio Morricone: These costumes above--and program/music--were from their 2011-2012 Season. She wore a black uneven hemmed dress with plunging square-shaped neckline and Dmitry, a gray loose sweater and dark gray pants. This was modern and directional but not impacting enough for the Olympics. I am not sure why they changed their programs and went back to a previous one--as well as previous costumes--these were the SAME costumes they wore for the 2011-2012 Season. 



Previously--for the 2013 Season...

Their Free Dance was to Music from The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi and "Lacrimosa" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and they had different costumes for this program: At the Russian Nationals 2014 in late December 2013, Bobrova and Soloviev wore these ombre blue/gray and ivory costumes above...

 And before that, they wore these costume above for the 2013 ISU Grand Prix Finals in Japan in mid December 2013

And before that...they wore two of my favorite costumes of the season back in November 2013 at the ISU Grand Prix Lexus Cup of China 2013. These were spectacular bird-like costumes. They looked like Paris Runway Ravens ready to take
off into an amazing ornithological pas des deux. They thought
about everything--from her chic runway-like hairstyle to the unusual
"feathered wings" that were attached through her arms and back; simply outstanding! I wish they would have worn these to the Sochi 2014 Olympics (as well as skated to the music that corresponded with these).

Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte of Italy, Free Dance to Overture from Barber of Seville by G. Rossini: Speaking of costume change, Anna Cappellini of Italy changed her costume for this Free Dance. Previously (as seen in the photo on the right), she had worn a deep red ruched and draped costume with fringed hem. The costume she wore for the Finals was ivory, ruched and gathered at the torso and ruffled at the hem with "fan" details at the bodice. Which one do you guys like best? The new, or old one?

Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani of the U.S., Free Dance to "Michael Jackson Medley": Maia changed her costume--slightly--for this Ice Dance Final. This costume above, a black with silver crystals, neckband and arm-bands was different from...

...what she wore for the Sochi 2014 Olympics Figure Skating Team Competition (photo above). The change was very slight. The one above featured a one sleeve/shoulder silhouette and different torso styling. Even though it was subtle, it was still a different costume. Alex's costume stayed the same. One of my favorite details of their costumes is...

 Alex's red sequined lapel lining which he snaps open to display toward the end of their program

Maia and Alex Shbutani--"The Shib Sibs"--also had a Costume Change for their Short Dance:

Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani of the U.S., Short Dance to a Michael Bublé medley: Alex's costume was a bow tie-less tuxedo shirt with black buttons and black pants, while Maia wore a very pretty blue costume with nude illusion top and corseted midriff featuring gorgeous silver beading. Her costume was a change from what she had previously worn...

...at the 2014 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships/U.S. Nationals on January 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts:this time she wore a deep magenta-colored chiffon dress with a sweetheart neckline and heavily beaded bodice.

Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the U.S., Free Dance to Selections from Les Misérables by various artists: Madison designs all their costumes and this dusty rose pink dress on her was a costume change from what she had worn previously. This above was lovely and reminiscent of the "Cosette" character. It featured an ivory ruffled neckline and lightly corseted bodice and slight hi-lo hemline. It was a change from what she wore at the U.S. Nationals last month:

Madison wore this dress/costume above at the 2014 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships/U.S. Nationals in Boston, Massachusetts in January. This dress had a gathered bust more heavily sequined bodice/midriff and shredded chiffon shoulder straps. Evan--like most of the other Ice Dance male partners--stayed the same; he looked sharp, elegant and perfect as the Ice Dance Marius of "Les Mis".

Congratulations to the Top Three medalists! And especially Meryl Davis and Charlie White for winning the Gold Medal! Go USA!

Ice Style....2013 Hilton HHonors Skate America Costumes Recap Part 2: The Men and Ice Dance!!

It's Figure Skating season once again and I am soooo excited about it--for a couple of reasons. First, I love watching the sport and second, I love seeing the COSTUMES (naturally!). This past weekend was the first of the 2013-2014 Grand Prix series--the 2013 Hilton HHonors Skate America. In a previous post, I discussed the Ladies and Pairs of 2013 Skate America...

 Firebird Boy: Tatsuki Machida of Japan

 Scheherazade Royals: Meryl Davis and Charlie White of the US

And now it's time to talk about the MEN and Ice Dance. So, let's get to it--Let's begin with The Men:

Adam Rippon USA Free Skate: Rippon got 2nd place at 2013 Skate America and he wore this costume for his Free Skate to "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun" by Claude Debussy. I liked the soft diagonal draping detail on the top and how it still somehow, remained fitted and sexy. The sprinkling of the crystals was just the right amount and I liked the solid black pants to go with it. Adam has worn similar style tops with this modern draping, but I liked this richer color. It matched his more "grown up" style and attitude this season. This costume was designed by Jan Longmire, who also did Ashley Wagner's.

Jason Brown USA, Short Program: Jason skated his Short Program to "The Question of U" by Prince. If there's anything I can say about it is that it sure looks like something Prince would wear, FOR SURE! There's a lot going on: the ruffles on the sleeve hems, the sheer sleeves, the purple velvet vest, the crystal-studded yoke, the oversized crystal jeweled buttons...I could go on...and on. Under any other circumstances (i.e. NOT skating to Prince), I would have given this costume a "Huney! What Were You Thinkin'?", but here I think it kind of works. And I do like those crystals down the side of his pants--look how it makes the line of his leg look above.

Free Skate: For his Free Skate to "Reel Around the Sun" by Bill Whelan, an Irish composer and musician. The skate was very "River Dance-y" and so was his costume. Once again, this was also a lot and in need of editing. If you take the top and pants apart, each is good on their own, but together, it makes him look like a Gypsy guitar player in a very touristy restaurant in Bulgaria. I liked the elaborate pants and belt detail. I thought they looked very luxe. The top, on the other hand, looked  cheap in comparison. I think if the crystals on the collar and sprinkled throughout the shirt had been removed, it would have be much better. Both of his costumes were designed by Elena Pollack.

Takahiko Kozuka Japan, Short Program: Kozuka skated his Short Program to "Unsquare Dance" by Dave Brubeck in this costume. the ensemble featured a color-blocked cropped black and white notched collar jacket with a red pocket hankie, shirt with apple green detail and black pants. The jacket is ill-fitting and too lose and the red pocket hankie looks cheesy. I also don't like the black "Men's Warehouse" belt to finish it all off. He looks like a DJ at a Wedding in new Jersey...in 1986.

Taksuki Machida Japan, Free Skate: First place Winner Tatsuki Machida of Japan skated his Free Program to Music from The Firebird by Igor Stravinsky. He wore this FABULOUS costume that was all things GREAT! I loved all the color, detail, sequin work, multidimensional feathers. All in all, it was pretty outstanding and perfect for the music and skate. You knew IMMEDIATELY that he was skating to The Firebird the minute he stepped onto the ice. Now, if you think you have seen this before on Machida, you were right: last season (2012-2013), he also skated his Free program to this music and wore THE SAME COSTUME:

 Tatsuki Machida winning the Gold at the Cup of China Grand Prix 2012--in the same fabulous costume.

Alexander Majorov Sweden, Short Program: Majorov skated his SP to Khorobushka by Bond. I liked the intricacy of his jacket and all the detail. It looked like a Toreador/Russian soldier. I just wished that the red would have been a sharper red as opposed to a muted one. With his pale skin coloring, it would have helped to have a stronger color up top.

Max Aaron USA, Free Skate: First of all, I LOVE his haircut! So 80s and so NOW! And perfect for his beautiful curls. OK, enough gushing on about his hair--now back to the costume. 2013 US Champion Max Aaron skated his Free Skate to Music from Carmen performed by Rodion Shchedrin and the Boston Pops Orchestra...and what a surprise and shocker: NO Toreador Costume! No red! No bejeweled bolero in sight! Kudos to Max and his costume designer for coming up with such a directional and modern look for his been there-done that music. If you don't know by now, I really liked this. I liked how perfectly it fit him and I loved the juxtaposition of the semi-nude stretch chiffon with the solid stretch velvet. Good job!



Ice Dance:

Cathy Reed and Chris Reed Japan, Short Dance: brother and sister team of Reed and Reed skated their SD to "Putting on the Ritz". Their costumes were sassy, colorful and right for the quickstep and foxtrot aspects of the dance and music; they looked very "Broadway Musical". I appreciated the angular lines of the torso detail of hers especially.

Free Dance: For their FD to "Shogun II Total War Soundtrack", their costumes were perfect if not, well too literal. Cathy was the geisha, of course and Chris the Shogun warrior. I liked the ombre pink in her kimono and golden obi. Chris' blue and white with black pants Shogun costume was very impacting as well. Now, while I did like both their SD and FD costumes for this 2013-2014 season, I can't help but admit that I will REALLY MISS last season's:

 Reed and Reed of Japan, in their 2012-2013 Season Short and Free Dance Costumes

Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani USA, Short Dance: For their 2013-2014 Season SD, this brother and sister Ice Dance team skated to a Michael Bublé medley. They wore very "Dance hall" costumes reminiscent of something one would see on "Dancing with The Stars" (but without all them over-the-top CRAY-CRAY bedazzling, thank you very much!). I thought they looked elegant and sleek, especially hers. I kind of like that Alex went sans tie and dinner jacket--as if they've been doing a Dance Marathon and it's almost time to be done. But what do you guys think? Would you have preferred him in full tuxedo look? Let me know.

Free Dance: For their FD to a Michael Jackson medley, the Shibutani's wore these costumes above. Love. love, and Love! It would have been so predictable for their costume designer to go for the typical Michael Jackson look, whether it be a red leather motorcycle jacket or a Billi jean suspenders, hi-water pants and penny loafers look, but these were anything but. I liked the modernity of Maia's sleek dress featuring black illusion and solid fabric with crystals throughout. And Alex's jacket was cool and very complimentary with Maia's dress.

Meryl Davis and Charlie White USA, Short Dance: Five-time reigning US Champions, Meryl Davis and Charlie white skated their 2013-2014 Season SD to My Fair Lady by Frederic Loewe. I thought these costumes were beautiful, elegant and just right for the music. Charlie looked dapper and very old-school luxe in his tails, vest and cravat. I would have liked his floppy surfer-boy hair to be (at the very least) slicked but I know I am barking up the wrong tree trying to get Charlie to put any product in that hair of his! Meryl's pink dress was so pretty. I loved the simplicity of it but it still packed a strong elegant punch with  those correctly placed silver stones in the neckline and waist.

Free Dance: For the FD to "Scheherazade" by Nikoli Rimsky-Korsakov, Davis and White wore these costumes above. We all know the story of Scheherazade of course and besides the fact that their FD illustrated it masterfully, their costumes were also complimentary to it. I have to admit that I liked hers better than his: Charlie's purple jacket looks a little too busy, especially next to her but I get what they were going for and how it relates to the story. I did, however like Meryl's blue costume which featured a gathered up front section, halter wrap top and bejeweled waist. She looked very Near East Princess in this. I'm not so sure of the hairstyle (at first I thought that she had cut all her hair off!) since I think it ages her slightly but besides this, well done.

Congratulations for winning the Top Ice Dance prize at Skate America 2013!!!

Until the next Grand Prix and more Figure Skating Costumes and Ice Style of Season 2013-2014!