ICE STYLE.....2013 NHK Trophy Costumes Recap Part Two: The Men and Ice Dance! Costume Changes and What Would Make Me SHAKE! Keep Reading...

Japan and Russia Costume Highlights: Male figure skater Daisuke Takahashi of Japan (left) and Ice Dance team of Elena KIlinykh and Nikita Katsalapov of Russia (right)

 Daisuke Fans: A scene at Yoyogi National Gymnasium Tokyo Japan while Japan's Daisuke Takahashi is about to skate

Wrapping up my Costumes Recap for this past weekend's ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2013 NHK Trophy, in my last post HERE I talked about the LADIES and PAIRS so now, it's time for the MEN and ICE DANCE. Once again, I've discussed some of these skaters already in some previous posts for Skate America 2013, Skate Canada 2013 or Cup of China 2013--and some I have not. Oh, and there are more Costume Changes! Let's begin...

Daisuke Takahashi Japan, Short Program: Japan Figure Skating SUPERSTAR Daisuke Takahashi skated his SP to Sonatino for Violin by Mamoru Samuragochi in this very elegant yet dark costume. I really liked this look for him. It was all black and featured a tight fitting top with long sleeves and asymmetrical hem with leather-like panels and a crystal center front.

Free Skate: For his FS to Medley of Music by The Beatles, he wore this draped jersey cowl-neck top  with black stretch velvet pants. While I love the top and it's draping, I have to say that if I was a costume designer and I knew that I would be designing a costume to go with a "Beatles Medley", I am not sure I would have created this ethereal look. It screams "Nijinski" more than The Beatles. But when you see the skate and hear that the Beatles medley was done in classical music style, it does kind of work. Kind of.

Javier Fernandez Spain, Short Program: Javier debuted his Season 2013-2014 skate at NHK Trophy 2013-This above was the costume he wore to his SP to "Satan Takes a Holiday". I wanted to know a little bit more about the music (to get a sense of where this costume came from) and I found out that it was written by bandleader Larry Clinton in 1937, and Wikipedia says that it was "originally used as background music for 'magic acts and midnight spook shows' ". Interesting. Just like his costume. The ensemble featured a striped pant and "shirt" look with an elongated vest/jacket (I think) that hugged over his...um, buttocks, in black with back panels of oversized houndstooth. Oh, and for some reason there were also accents of red and yellow (for Spain perhaps?). It was all a bit "kooky" for me. To be honest, I thought it was fun and at least, visually exciting. I just felt the top "vest" section was a bit too long. The proportions seemed a bit off and the houndstooth on his back was distracting.  Now, speaking of a bit "kooky"...Take a look at what he wore for his Exhibition skate:

Let's Get Physical: Spanish male figure skater in his "Gala Exhibition" skate entitled "Aerobic Class" (of course!) at NHK Trophy 2013. I rarely discuss these Exhibition costumes, but after seeing these pics, how could I not??!!! He looks like a character from a Pedro Almodóvar movie and I am LIVING for it!



Now, back to the actual competition costumes:

 Jeremy Abbott Free Skate Costume at NHK Trophy 2013 this past weekend

Jeremy Abbott FS Costume at Skate Canada 2013 two weeks ago

Jeremy Abbott USA, Free Skate: Jeremy skated his FS to "Exogenesis Symphony Part III (Redemption)" by Muse--the same music he skated to during the 2011-2012 Season. Now, I remembered that in my Skate Canada 2013 post, I discussed his costume but I realized "wait, he changed!". The look he wore at NHK Trophy in Japan this past weekend was different from what he wore at Skate Canada 2013 two weeks ago. Both costumes were designed by Elise Fife. I'm not sure which one I like best. I am on the fence. I do like the ease and fluidity of the new top and he finally wore a bit of color! Which one do you guys like best?

Nobunari Oda in his Free Skate costume--NHK Trohpy 2013 this past weekend

 Nobunari Oda Free Skate Costume at Skate Canada 2013 two weeks ago

Another Costume Change: Japanese male figure skater Nobunari Oda changed his costume as well for his Free Skate to "William Tell Overture" by Giacochino Rossini. The new look has a much more detailed yellow blouse/shirt and brown velvet vest. I have to say that this new costume is so "Disney Prince" Costume from a Halloween shop. And he has such a juvenile look already, this only makes him look more like a kid working at an amusement park. I think I liked the first one better. But what do you guys think? NHK or Skate Canada?

Sergei Voronov Russia, Short Program: Voronov skated his SP to "Two Guitars". I thought this was a good look for Sergei; clean, vibrant with the black and white and I really appreciated the designs/print in the jacket--are those peacocks? fish? abstract paisleys? Whatever it is, it is kind of a cool jacket--something I would see at Men's Paris Fashion Week.

Ice Dance

Elena KIlinykh and Nikita Katsalapov of Russia, Free Dance--Well I wonder what these two very good-looking Ice Dancers from Russia skated to for their Free Dance? If you answered "Swan Lake", yep, you are correct! (it's not so difficult). I thought these costumes were marvelous! She was "Classic Swan Lake" and he was "Punk Roller Disco Swan Lake". And they went together beautifully: modern, retro, classic, a little Fashion Runway. Oh and yes, it does kind of help that both of them are GORGEOUS!

Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier Canada, Free Dance: For their Free Dance to Music from the Hitchcock soundtrack by Danny Elfman and "The Rainstorm" by Bernard Hermann, they wore these costumes. First of all: I really liked this Free Dance: it was original, creative and taking Ice Dance to a more adventuresome and directional level, I was intrigued and wanted to see what more they can do. In terms of their costumes: I liked! They were dark yet glitzy; interesting and went with the Hitchcock music.

Cathy Reed and Chris Reed Japan, Free Dance: I discussed these costumes which they wore for their Free Dance to "Shogun II Total War Soundtrack" already HERE in my Hilton HHonors Skate America 2013 post.

Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani USA Free Dance: I also talked about these great costumes the Shibutani's wore for their fun Free Dance to a Michael Jackson medley HERE in my Skate America 2013 post. I loved them!

Meryl Davis and Charlie White USA, Short Dance Costumes to My Fair Lady by Frederic Loewe--NHK Trophy 2013

Meryl Davis and Charlie White USA, Free Dance Costumes to "Scheherazade" by Nikoli Rimsky-Korsakov--NHK Trophy 2013

I talked about both these SD and FD costumes HERE in my Skate America 2013 blog post--I LOVED both and thought they were exquisite. I especially like the pink bodice of Meryl's SD dress; it looks like a woven satin boned and corseted bodice of a ball gown. The fit is DIVINE. Speaking of DIVINE: their Free Dance is TIMELESS, incredible, moving...it's ALL THAT! Now, if I have one secret wish, I would SHAKE with Style Glee...if Charlie slicked back his hair for the Short Dance for the Sochi Olympics. Literally, I would SHAKE!!!! That would really do it for me! (I'm crossing my fingers!).

ICE STYLE.....Lexus Cup of China 2013 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Costumes Recap Part Two: The Men and Ice Dance!

Top Three Cup of China: Silver medalist Maxim Kovtun of
Russia (left), gold medalist Han Yan of China (center) and bronze medalist Takahiko Kozuka of Japan (right)--Lexus Cup of China ISU Grand Prix of
Figure Skating 2013 at Beijing Capital Gymnasium Beijing, China

Continuing with my Lexus Cup of China 2013 Costumes Recap, in my last post I discussed the LADIES and PAIRS costume highlights and now, it's time to "wrap it up" with the Men and Ice Dance--First up, THE MEN:

Peter Liebers Germany, Short Program: For his Short program to "Clocks" by Coldpay, performed by 2Cellos featuring Lang Lang, Peter wore this interesting costume featuring a top with what looks like mechanisms of a clock in a colorful silver and blue pattern. The total look was graphic, sleek and a bit modern.

Richard Dornbush USA, Short Program: Richard wore this costume for his Short Program to "Sons of Italy" by Henry Mancini at Cup of China 2013 this past weekend. The ensemble consisted of a wine-red fitted "Period-like" jacket with gold buttons, a ruffled off-white shirt and black pants. he looked very "Shakespearean actor in Venice Italy". I liked the look, I just wished that the cropped  "jacket' was a bit longer; every time he jumped or basically did anything, it rode up and exposed the shirt, especially in the back, therefore breaking the line of the costume.

Free Skate: For his FS to a Beatles Medley, Richard wore a black shirt, black pants and silver belt. I'm usually not a big fan of the "non-Costume Costume" but it worked for this Beatles medley and I appreciated the skinny silver belt--as opposed to a tacky "Ross Dress For Less" one that you see a lot of male skaters opt for, unfortunately. Both costumes were designed by Shelley Dornbush.

Maxim Kovtun Russia, Short Program: Silver medalist Maxim Kovtun wore this costume for his Short Program to Flamenco by Pepe Romero. It followed the Spanish theme in its black with red trim detail. The stretch velvet costume was very fitted and had "hints" of a Toreador jacket in its silhouette which seemed to be a complete all-in-one jumpsuit that didn't break his very lean physique.

Free Skate: Speaking of lean physique, I LOVED his second all-in-one jumpsuit costume that he wore for his FS to "Piano Concerto No. 1" by Tchaikovsky. The ensemble featured very skinny and lean tuxedo stripe pants, a built-in waistcoat (vest) and a tuxedo-like dress shirt. This was an exquisite way to look "formal" and correct for the music--he looked like a concert pianist who had just finished his concerto and now it was time for the "After Party". And more importantly, again, it did not break the line of his ultra lean physique.

Florent Amodio France, Short Program: Florent skated his Season 2013-2014 Short Program to "La Cumparsita," arranged by Sebastien Damiani and Faf Larage in the costume above. It featured black pants, a black cummerbund, black gloves and a sheer black top with silver crystal detail. It also had a very PLUNGING neckline. I thought it was a good look for Florent but I just wished the sleeves were a little more fitted, especially under the arm.

Takahito Kozuka Japan Free Skate: I discussed his SP costume HERE but for his FS to "Introduction et Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28" by Camille Saint-Saens he wore this look above. The costume had black pants (of course!) and a gray/silver blouson-style shirt with a waist tie. he had barely begun his Free Skate and his shirt was covered in SWEAT! At first, I thought it was a "printed" effect on the shirt. But nope, it was nasty sweat. The sweat was from his warm-up skate beforehand. For this he is excused of course. However, I think it might be time to use a different fabric or at least a darker color. ASAP.



Ice Dance:

Ekaterina Bobrova and Dmitri Soloviev Russia, Short Dance: Bobrova and Soloviev wore some of my favorite Ice Dance costumes so far this season for both their Short and Free Dance. For their SD to "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" by Jule Styne, "I Will Wait For You" by Michel Legrand and "Swing, Swing, Swing My Baby", they stuck to the theme of the music--she was very Marilyn Monroe and he looked like a 50s Hollywood actor. I loved the bright strawberry red color of her dress and its feathered and sequin detail.

Free Dance:  For their FD to Music from The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi and "Lacrimosa" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, they wore these spectacular bird-like costumes. If you can't tell by now, I LOVED THEM! 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 (and how it continued onto his costume). These were simply outstanding!

Alexandra Aldridge and Daniel Eaton USA, Free Dance: For their FD to Bollywood dance medley, the US ice dance team of Aldridge and Eaton wore these great costumes here. I really liked how Daniel wore the traditional Sherwani coat and looked fabulous in it--and still moved quite easily with it! Alexandra's red and silver sequined ensemble taking Sari-like elements and transforming them perfectly for this Ice Dance. The details were great--such as the henna in her hands. If there was one little itty-bitty "Nick Wish", it would be more jewelry on Alexandra--as long as it doesn't interfere with the performance of course. The costume designers of these fab looks, by the way, are Tatiana Noll, Lynn Martin, Massimo Scali, Luanne Williams.

Pernelle Carron and Lloyd Jones France, Free Dance: In case it isn't obvious enough from the photo above, Carron and Jones of France skated to Music from Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky. I've said this already but it is soooo interesante that all these skaters are choosing Russian-composed music for their Olympic Season skates. Coincidence? I think not. In terms of their costumes, they obviously went with the traditional "Swan Lake" ballet theme but "modernized" it a bit, tweeking her costume into a more stiffened "Runway" look reminiscent of something one would see from Marchesa. I appreciated that directionality, but I thought part of her peplum section was actually a bit too stiff (it jutted out in the back awkwardly) and I didn't like the black waistband--it looked like an afterthought. But I did like that his had petals throughout his top, suggesting a more "Sportif" yet modern representation of the famous ballet.

Nathalie Pechalat and Fabian Bourzat France, Free Dance: For their FD to "Caroussel" from Cirque du Soleil by Benoit Jutras, "Droit de
Cite" by Raphael Beaun and Max Steiner, "Jeux Interdits" by Fernando Sor
and "Le Petit Prince et ma Rose" by Maxime Rodriguez, they wore these costumes above. at first, I thought "Oh Dear!" but then as I got to see their skate, hear the music, know the story-line, I "got it". There is certainly a Cirque du Soleil aspect to these ensembles; they're two seconds away from Cray-Cray but I think it works. They're French and "costume-kooky", if any one can get away with it, they can.

Madison Chock and Evan Bates USA, Short Dance: US dance team of Chock and Bates skated their SD to "Hollywood" by Puppini Sisters, "There's No Business Like Show Business" by Irving Berlin in these great costumes. they were elegant, luxe and pretty fab! Evan looked so dapper and Madison--who is SOOOO GORGEOUS!--was glistening in this silver and gold fringed dress. Both their looks took me back to some wonderful 50s Hollywood Musical. I was "costume transported".

Free Dance: For their FD to Selections from Les Misérables by various artists, I want to discuss how AMAZING Evan looked! I absolutely loved how "put together" he looked--from his bishop-sleeved shirt, red wine velvet vest, blue cravat and pants were so Les Miserables perfect! Madison's pink dress was soft, pretty but yeah, for me, Evan was THE Costume Star here! By the way, both the Short and Free Dance costumes were designed by...Madison Chock. Very well done Madison!!

ICE STYLE.....Skate Canada 2013 Costumes Recap Part Two: The Men and Ice Dance!

Oh Canada: Gold Medal Winner Patrick Chan--2013 Skate Canada International 

 Top Three Men: (left to right) Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan (Silver), Patrick Chan of Canada (Gold) and Nobunaru Oda of Japan (Bronze)--2013 Skate Canada

Continuing with this edition of my Skate Canada 2013 Costumes Recap, in my last post I talked about the Ladies and Pairs of 2013 Skate Canada and now, it is time to discuss The Men and Ice Dance...The boys featured some creative costumes and well, Ice Dance had a "Groundhog Day" of sorts, when it came to one of the teams.  Shall we get down to Costume business and discuss? Yes, let's do it:





The Men:

Patrick Chan Canada, Short Program: Patrick wore this costume above for his Short Program to "Elegie in E-flat minor" by Sergei Rachmaninoff. Patrick is not know for wearing costumes with lots of 'bells & whistles" (i.e sequined appliques, multicolored crystals, etc.) so I don't expect much when I see Patrick. But this look semi-impressed me; it was a beautifully made "tuxedo"-style shirt with ombre-shaded coloring and (wait for it!) tiny crystals throughout. 

Free Skate: For his Free Skate to "Concerto Grosso" by Arcangelo Corelli, I really liked this look. As you can tell, he never really changes his pants--almost always black--but where he and his costume designer get creative is with the tops. This was an interesting shawl-collared lilac-grey shirt with beaded flower applique. It had hints of the Baroque-style present in his music.

Jeremy Abbott USA, Short Program: Jeremy skated his Short Program to "Lilies of the Valley" from the Pina sountrack by Jun Miyake in this brown costume consisting of pants, textured "leather" vest, and v-neck stretch long-sleeve top. This is soooo very Jeremy...

 No matter what music Jeremy skates to, his costumes always look as if he is one Robin Hood's Merry Men (above)

Free Skate: For his Free Skate to "Exogenesis Symphony Part III (Redemption)" by Muse, again he didn't disappoint with his typical Jeremy Abbott Color Scheme (brown, gray). I liked the "leather" with grommets armhole shoulder detail in the gray heathered top he wore. And yes, this here also could work as one of Robin Hood's Merry Men.



Both his Short and Free Skate costumes were designed by Elise Fife. Now, in case you were wondering, Jeremy skated to this same music back in Season 2011-2012. He liked it so much, he brought it back. What kind of costume did he wear back then for that?

 Jeremy Abbott, Free Skate to "Exogenesis Symphony Part III"--Season 2011-2012

Nobunari Oda Japan, Short Program: For his Short program to "Cotton Club" by John Barry, Nobunari wore this fun look consisting of a beaded open dress shirt and bedazzled blue untied bow-tie, with black "tuxedo" pants. I liked the pop of color in his tie and the ode to the look of the days of the infamous nightclub during America's Prohibition Era.

Free Skate: Speaking of Robin Hood...Nobunari skated his Free Skate to the iconic "William Tell Overture" by Giacochino Rossini. I am never a fan of beige and brown in a costume, but his look was perfect for the music and theme. The brown stretch velvet pants were cut in line of the period costumes of the time,  and although the jagged hem of the shirt was a bit cheesy, it did look nice when he did his jumps and turns. I appreciated the gold sequined belt giving a bit of interest to the costume and I also loved that some of that gold trim was added as a "peek-a-boo" accent at the neck/shoulder.

Yuzuru Hanyu Japan, Free Skate: Yuzuru is one of those male skaters who does not shy away from donning "frilly, crystal-filled" costumes and I, for one, get excited to see what he will wear since it doesn't fall under the "same old/same old" Male Figure Skating Costume look. For his Free Skate to Music from Romeo and Juliet by Nino Rota, Yuzuru wore this costume which featured a "one shoulder" flounce, a nude illusion and solid white/gray ombre dyed fabrication, and yes, lots of multicolored sequins (I'm not too sure I am a fan of these). I did like the juxtaposition of male and female qualities to this costume--it's as if he was BOTH Romeo and Juliet! When I first saw him on the ice in this I thought "This is soooo Johnny Weir! He would have totally worn something like this". Well, guess who designed this? Yep, Johnny Weir.

Ice Dance:

Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri Italy, Free Dance: This Italian Ice Dance team skated their Free Skate to "Un giorno per noi" from Romeo and Juliet performed by Josh Groban and "Dance of the Knights" from Romeo and Juliet by Sergei Prokofiev. The costumes were elaborate, traditional and could never be mistaken for anything but Romeo and Juliet. Charlene's almost-see through sequined sleeves were gorgeous and I liked the Empire-waisted gold rope and the fact that her gold scroll trim also ended up in his costume to tie it all in.

Nelli Zhiganshina and Alexander Gazsi Germany, Short Program: For their Short Dance to "Le Jazz Hot" performed by the cast of Glee, Zhiganshina and Gazsi wore these costumes. Hers was an emerald green dress horizontally gathered in the front with back cascade ruffles in the back and his consisted of a patterned sweater vest, dress shirt with elbow patched, bow tie and black pants. I didn't quite get the connection between the two costumes. I understood the concept of him playing a geek, I just wish it connected to her costume more. Now, what did they wear for their Free Dance?

THE SAME THING!!!! Yes, kids for their Free Dance to "Carrigan & Dibs" from the Casper soundtrack by James Horner, "Mr. E's Dance Card" from the Batman Forever soundtrack by Elliot Goldenthal and "Clint Eastwood" by Gorillaz, they decided to wear the SAME COSTUMES. I may be wrong about this (I'm sure Figure Skating aficionados will let me know!), but this might be the first time in a long time, this has ever been done. Did their actual Free Dance costumes get lost? Did one of their suitcases not make it to Canada? Nope, according to them, their Free Dance is supposed to be a "continuation" or a "Part Two" of their Short Dance. And therefore, the same costumes. Well, that's a good story but I'm not sure I'm buying it. I will say, they are being very "Costume Recessionista" about it all.

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir Canada, Short Dance: Canada's Virtue and Moir wore these costumes for their Short Dance to Selections by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald, including "Dream a
Little Dream," "Muskrat Ramble" and "Dancing Cheek to Cheek". I thought these were fun, appropriate for the music and went well together. Her feathered and sequined dress had a 20's flapper style quality with a little bit of 30's chic. And I liked that it was all tied in with his black bow tie, suspenders and high-waisted black pants.

Free Dance: For their Gold Medal-winning Free Dance to Seasons by Alexander Glazunov and "Piano Concerto in F-sharp minor" by Alexander Scriabin, they decided to go the almost "non-costume" route and wear these above. When they first came onto the ice, I was a bit disappointed (coming from my fashion designer perspective) but then, as their beautiful Free Dance progressed--lightly but assuredly--I got it. The music is very classical yet their looks are more on the contemporary side. If this was a modern dance/ballet, the dancers would have probably worn this as well in the performance. I guess, I just miss the very Modern and directional looks they wore in last season's "Carmen" Free Dance:

Flawless.