ICE STYLE.....2014 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships Costume Recap, Men and Ice Dance Short Program!

Jeremy Abbott practicing at the TD Garden Arena, 2014 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships Boston Massachusetts

Continuing with my Costume Recap Highlights of the costumes from the 2014 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships happening right now in Boston...I talked about the LADIES and PAIRS Short Program Costumes HERE and now it's time to discuss the Men and Ice Dance Short Program/Short Dance Costumes...

Richard Dornbush Short Program: For Richard's SP to The Sons of Italy by Henry Mancini, he wore a wine-colored stretch velvet  fitted jacket with gold buttons, a ruffled shirt and skin-tight black pants. I like that the pants have the pin-tuck down the front of the leg and that there's a nod to a Shakespeare-era costume.

Scott Dyer, Short Program: I couldn't find what music Scott skated to--or a YouTube video showing it (so if anyone knows, I'd be most grateful to include it in here!). However, I still wanted to comment on this costume; it was very "Blades of Glory" old-school 80s Figure Skater...and I'm not sure if that's a good thing. From the revere collar, the blouson sleeves to the coloring and crystals...it was veering on a hot mess.

Brandon Mroz, Short Program: Another skater whom I couldn't find what music he skated to for his SP or a YouTube video showing it...but once again, I wanted to discuss this costume. It was a multicolored printed shirt--tie-dye/Disco-esque. Plus black pants and a "Ross Dress For Less"-like belt. Not a fan. This is only acceptable if he skated to "KC and the Sunshine Band". And I doubt he did.

Jason Brown, Short Program: Jason skated his SP to "The Question of U" by Prince. His costume--designed by Elena Pollack--featured a purple velvet vest, sheer blouse with ruffled cuffs and silver studded black pants. the whole ensemble is VERY prince...and a bit tacky-licious. But then again, so is Prince. Overall it suited the program, music and personality of Jason.

Jeremy Abbott, Short Program: Jeremy skated his SP to "Lilies of the Valley" from the Pina sountrack by Jun Miyake. His costume--designed by Elise Fife--featured a deep plum shirt with sequin accents and black pants. I like it but I'm not jumping up and down for it. Jeremy is not known to "bring it" when it comes to costumes and part of me wishes he would but, the fact that there's even sequins on his shirt, is a big jump for him. He wore this same costume for NHK 2013 in November for his Short Program which is when he debuted it. Before, he wore this:

At Skate Canada 2013 in October--which one do we like better?

Ice Dance Short Program Costume Highlights:

Meryl Davis and Charlie White, Short Dance: I love these costumes that Davis and White wear for their Short Dance to My Fair Lady by Frederic Loewe. I've discussed them already HERE.

Alexandra Aldridge and Daniel Eaton, Short Dance: For their SD to Quickstep: Man with the Hex; Foxtrot: The Business of Love (from "The Mask" soundtrack); Swing: Hey Pachucco (from "The Mask" soundtrack), Aldridge and Eaton wore these costumes above. I liked her sexy black halter dress and how the sequins were concentrated at the shoulder/neck. I especially liked his high-waisted pinstripe pants and suspenders. The costumes were designed by Tatiana Noll, Lynn Martin, Massimo Scali, Luanne Williams.

Pauline Bynum and Jason Deveikis Short Dance: I couldn't find what Bynum and Deveikis skated to for their SD (or a YouTube video of it) but I LOVED these costumes! Her black and white dress, especially, was GORG! It looked like a Dior Haute Couture collection dress. And he looked dapper and very elegant.

Lynn Kriengkrairut and Logan Giulietti-Schmitt, Short Dance: Kriengkrairut and Giulietti-Schmitt (say that three times!) skated to "That Man" by Caro Emerald, "Jolie Coquine" by Caravan Palace and I thought these costumes were fun and sassy. I like the fringed detail on her silver costume and normally I wouldn't endorse a headband but here, it was right. This is an example of Good Kooky Ice Dance costumes. The costumes, by the way, were designed by Valentina Barsukova, Lynn Kriengkrairut.

Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani, Short Dance: The Shibutani's skated their SD to a Michael Bublé medley. Their costumes were elegant and very "Dace Hall" in style. I liked her deep purple sequined and chiffon dress and Alex looked sharp. I just wish he wore the black bow tie and not looked as if the dance hall night club was closing down already.

Madison Chock and Evan Bates, Short Dance: Chock and Bates skated their SD to "Hollywood" by Puppini Sisters, "There's No Business Like Show Business" by Irving Berlin. I LOVE these costumes, so much so, that they ended up in my "Best Figure Skating Costumes of 2013" blog HERE. The costumes were designed by Madison Chock and were PERFECTION. Now, if you notice, Evan's gold cummerbund and pocket scarf are a new addition...

Here (in above pic) is Evan at the 2013 Rostelecom Cup/Cup of Russia in November, in their Short Dance--without the gold cummerbund and pocket hankie.

***UP NEXT: Long/Free Program Costume Recap/Highlights from the 2014 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships

Rostelecom Cup/Cup of Russia The Men and Ice Dance

 Oh My! Costumed Boys...Misha Ge of Uzbekistan (left) and Taksuki Machida of Japan and their very colorful costumes at the Rostelecom Cup/Cup of Russia 2013

FIGURE SKATING Costume Fans: As you know, this past weekend was the Rostelecom Cup/Cup of Russia 2013--the last Grand Prix competition before the Grand Prix Finals of this 2013-2014 Season. I talked about the LADIES and PAIRS of the Rostelecom Cup HERE in my last post. And now, it's time for the MEN and ICE DANCE. Let's get started:

The Men:

Konstantin Menshov Russia, Short Program: Skating his SP to "Coultergeist" by Phil Coulter, Konstantin wore this above: a white loose top with images of Michelangelo's' Sistine Chapel hands, black pants and white gloves. The song is from Phil Coulter's "Highland Cathedral" album and so I surmise that there's religious imagery in the theme. Even then, I kind of don't get it. It's a cool long sleeve t-shirt but other than that, I'm a bit costume-confused.

Tatsuki Machida Japan, Short Program: Japanese male skater skated his SP to East of Eden (TV Miniseries Soundtrack) by Lee Holdridge in this white and black costume. I liked the costume but still have no idea what this has to do with "East of Eden" and the TV Miniseries; the costume looks more like something one would wear to Beethoven or Mozart music.

Free Skate Costume Change: For his FS to Music from The Firebird by Igor Stravinsky, Japanese Figure Skater Taksuki Machida wore this above. It was a black long sleeved jumpsuit that had fire-like references in black, red and yellow upon a not-matching skin-colored illusion background. I didn't like it. This is what he wore in his previous ISU Grand Prix appearance which I REALLY LOVED:

 At Hilton HHonors Skate America 2013 and the costume he wore last season (to the same music)--One of the BEST! Note to Taksuki: Please go back to this!

Misha Ge Uzbekistan, Short Program: For his SP to I Still Got Blues, Still Got Rock by Gary Moore, Misha Ge wore this colorful costume. It is VERY "Blades of Glory" and I have to admit, I kinda like it! Yes, it's rather tacky but boy, did it make me sit up and come alive with joy when I saw it. He definitely should get a "Oh No He Didn't" trophy for his very "Hollywood Costume Designer"-designs-a-costume-for-an-actor-playing-a-Figure Skater.

Free Skate: For his FS to World Dance Collection including Neo Tango; Rhumba; Electro; Jive; Rock'n'Roll, Misha did not disappoint. This was a red, black, white, laced-up costume of CRAY-CRAY. I love that Misha--and whoever is designing his costumes, are still stuck in the 1990's era of figure skating. This makes me smile. Yes, it is so tacky and so not chic but it's kind of nice of have some retro...even tacky-licious retro.



Ice Dance:

Ksenia Monko and Kirill Khavalian Russia, Short Dance: For their SD to Quickstep by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, "L-O-V-E-" by Nat King Cole, Russian Ice Dance team Monko and Khavalian wore these costumes above. I thought her costume was so intricate, so well done. Loved the color and Art Deco-like sequin work. And he looked like a very fab waiter with his double-breasted shawl collared jacket and pants look. I just wished he had some royal blue in his costume--to tie her costume to his.

Free Dance: For their FD to Selection by Rene Aubry and selection by Gaetano Donizetti, this Russian Ice Dance pair gave "Venice Gondola" in their costumes. Overall, I liked these costumes, I just wish his pants were more fitted; there's too much thigh-leg excess. Make them stretch woven and thin out the leg. Please! At least, it's an improvement from her wearing "Olivia Newton-John/Let's Get Physical" leg warmers in their last appearance at 2013 Trophée Eric Bompard:

 Leg Warmers at At 2013 Trophée Eric Bompard

Ekaterina Bobrova and Dmitri Soloviev Russia, Free Dance: For their FD to Music from The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi and "Lacrimosa" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart at the Rostelecom Cup/Cup of Russia 2013, the Russian Ice Dance team of Bobrova and Soloviev changed their costumes! And...I wasn't a fan. These new costumes featured ombre-dyed white-to-blue-to-dark gray...BORING and un-Olympic level material...

Bird Fab: I would LOVE for them to go back to these costume above that they wore for their last Grand Prix appearance Short Program

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.