ICE STYLE.....Figure Skating Costumes Recap/Highlights of the Sochi 2014 Olympics, Ladies Short Program Costumes!

 Queen Yuna: Yuna Kim of South Korea, Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics Ladies Short Program, Iceberg Skating Palace Sochi Russia

Tonight were the much-waited Ladies Figure Skating Short Program at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. I had the pleasure of doing Fashion/Costume commentary for the L.A. Times as well as NBCOlympics and NBC.com Streaming show "Olympic Ice" discussing these costumes. It was an exciting event for sure and worth the wait. So, let's discuss the LADIES costumes Highlights here on my BLOG,  for the Short Program...

 U.S. Ladies Figure Skater Gracie Gold: Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics--Short Program, Iceberg Palace Sochi Russia

First, I want to discuss Queen Yuna:

Kim Yuna of South Korea, Short Program to "Send In The Clowns": Her costume was FLAWLESS. Exquisite, beautifully made, gorgeous. Yuna Kim wore a chartreuse-colored costume with fitted-yet-fluttery sleeves , a sequined torso and chiffon skirt. 

 When the cameras did close-up's, one could really appreciate the delicate scroll-like gorgeousness of the sequin work  of her costume; stunning!

Ashley Wagner of the U.S, , Short Program to "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" by Pink Floyd:
The costume featured black stretch chiffon, double-layer "skirt" and
panels with silver crystal trimmed details. I really liked this costume
because it really reflected the theme of her music. She also could have
easily worn this if she was skating to say, Tchaikovsky "Swan Lake"
as well! I especially loved the various sizes of the jeweled crystals
and how the neck detail looked like a built-in diamond necklace (that
was probably the point!).

Gracie Gold of the U.S., Short Program to "Piano Concerto" by Edvard Grieg: The costume was designed by Gale Johnson and Denise Gold and
I LOVE it! It's elegant, classic but with a sexy "red carpet" edge and
also works really well with her music and program; it's like a "mini-me"
gown one could see at a late 19th Century/early 20th Century Ball in
Europe. The off-the-shoulder look seems very "Moulin Rouge"-like as well.

Julia Lipnitskaia of Russia Short Program to "You Don't Give Up on Love" by Mark Minkov: I thought this was a very nice costume for Julia and this program. I loved the deep violet blue and baby blue combination and the torso/bodice sequin work looked beautiful. My favorite detail of this costume were the back straps. Also, I am usually not a fan of the pull-the-nude-tights-over-the-skates look but here it worked. Such a shame that little Julia fell, however. You could just hear the shock-and-awe from the mostly Russian audience.

Mao Asada of Japan, Short Program to "Nocturne in E flat major, Op. 9, No. 2" by Frederic Chopin: This beautiful costume is a change from what Asada wore for the Team Competition several weEks ago at the beginning of the Sochi Olympics:

I like both costumes but if I had to pick, I like what she wore tonight at the Sochi 2014 Olympics Ladies Short Program better; it's little more delicate, the gathering/draping in the front/torso seems more refined and overall, it looks softer. Poor Mao...

She was another Ladies Figure Skater who fell during this very important Short Program--I do LOVE that "Eiffel Tower"-like back sequin detail though.

Carolina Kostner of Italy, Short Program to Ave Maria by Franz Schubert: The sky blue
colored costume featured a "plunging" neckline (in illusion) with gorgeously strewn
sequins throughout. It was beautiful, classic and "Ice Princess" perfect. Her skate was almost like a religious experience; the music, the skate, the costume...she seemed Angelic.

Adelina Sotnikova of Russia, Short Program to "Habanera" from the "Carmen" Suite by Georges Bizet: I thought this costume was simple yet nice for her; it was clean and bold to grab the audience and judges' attention.  She wore this costume at the 2014 Russian Nationals but before, she had worn this:

This costume above was far more interesting in terms of design. Not sure which one I like best. I am thinking the one above.

Polina Edmuds of the U.S., Short Program to "Pink Cherries Cha-Cha-Cha," "Besame Mucho" and "Another Cha-Cha" by Ballroom Orchestra: The costume is designed by Lilya Dukler and
I think it's pretty fabulous! I love the light lemon yellow color, the
"shredded" skirt and emphasis on the neckline and all those panels in
the torso. I especially like how no "costume stone was left unturned" in
that it is a complete look; the hairstyle, details in the hair...it is
all in synch with the rest of the costume. Very nice!



Finally, I want to talk abut Akiko Suzuki of Japan:

Akiko Suzuki of Japan, Short Program to "Hymne à l'amour": This above was one of the most intricately beaded/sequined costumes of all the Ladies. You cannot really tell in the picture above but it truly was exquisite! The silver sequins at the neckline (and back) were Top Notch!. This red costume, by the way, was a costume change from what she had worn in the most recent 2013 Grand Prix series Short Dance:

Akiko Suzuki of Japan, Short Program costume, Japan Nationals December 2013--I like the red one much better; it looks more refined and the silver sequins are OUT OF CONTROL!

**Next Up: The Ladies Free Skate Costumes Recap of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics!

ICE STYLE.....Kim Yuna Debuts New Costume for her Free Skate at the 2014 Korea Figure Skating Championships

Tango Costume Change Goddess: Korean Ladies Figure Skating Star Kim Yuna at this weekend's Korea Figure Skating Championships 2014 (in her new Free Skate Costume), Goyang Oulimnuri Ice Rink in Goyang, South Korea

This past weekend were the 2014 Korea Figure Skating Championships, held in Goyang South Korea. The star of the entire event was, of course, Kim Yuna--or Yu-Na Kim--one of the World's top Ladies Figure Skaters. It is an Olympic season and she's considered to be the favorite to win Olympic Gold (but she has competition from a Russian, or two...and of course, Japan's Mao Asada) at the Sochi Winter Olympics coming up next month in Russia. But what I'm most interested in is that Kim Yuna used the 2014 Korean Nationals as the stage to debut a new Free Skate costume:

Kim Yuna, Free Skate to "Adiós Nonino" by Astor Piazzolla--Korea Figure Skating Championships 2014 (in her new Free Skate Costume), Goyang Oulimnuri Ice Rink in Goyang, South Korea

Her new costume to the tango music of Astor Piazzolla's "Adiós Nonino" featured a black and deep purple color blocked design with long fitted sleeves, an asymmetrical "keyhole" in the front neck torso, silver-and-black sequined applique and a side front slit...

The costume had both the "air" of the Argentine tango music in its deep dark colors and applique but not being so overtly referential (the obvious red-and-black, the red rose ion the hair...). It was elegant, well-made and restrained. This was a costume change from what she had worn the last time she skated this same Free Skate...

Kim Yuna at 2013 Golden Spin of Zagreb: At the obscure Golden Spin of Zagreb 2013 last month, she skated her Free Skate to "Adiós Nonino" wearing this costume above. It was OK, but not spectacular. I like the new one better for sure. Now, speaking of spectacular...nothing can beat this:

Kim Yuna and her 2012-2013 Season Free Skate costume for "Kiss of the Vampire" by James Bernard--this was one of THE BEST FIGURE SKATING COSTUMES of 2012-2013 Season!!! I absolutely LOVED it!

 Congrats Kim Yuna (center) on winning the Gold at the Korea Figure Skating Championships 2014 this weekend--see you at the Sochi Winter Olympics! Can't wait to see if she'll be doing more Costume Changes!

 Below is Kim Yuna's Free Skate from the Korea Figure Skating Championships 2014:

ICE STYLE.....Yuna Kim, her Free Skate Costume at ISU 2013 Golden Spin of Zagreb + Miki Ando's Costume

Mock Neck Yuna: South Korean skater Yuna Kim skating to her Free Skate--ISU 2013 Golden Spin of Zagreb

This weekend, Olympic and world champion Yuna Kim won Gold at a minor event in Zagreb, Croatia--the ISU 2013 Golden Spin of Zagreb--with a score of 204.49 points. This total score was only beaten by one skater during the Grand Prix of Figure Skating season.

 Yuna Is Back: Yuna Kim fans--ISU 2013 Golden Spin of Zagreb

Now, let's get to the really important stuff: her costumes! I discussed Yuna Kim's Short Program Costume HERE so now, it is time to talk about what she wore for her Free Skate...

Tango Kim: Yuna skated her Free Skate to "Adios Nonino", an Argentine tango composition. Her stretch jacquard costume featured a black mock-neck, very fitted long sleeves, a slit-skirt and silver-and-gray sequin detail at the torso. It was quite classic and certainly stayed within the tango theme without using any predictable red color (except for her great red lips!). While the front was very covered...

Yuna Reveal: The back was very open as seen from the pictures above. I liked this costume but wished it had just a little more "luxe" appeal; it seemed a bit too "store bought"-looking for me. I'd love to know what YOU guys think? Did you like this costume? Yeay or Nay? Let me know below in "comments".



Now, let's discuss Japan's Miki Ando and her Free Skate Costume:

Miki Ando of Japan, Free Skate: Ando skated her Free Skate to "Firebird by Igor Stravinski" in this costume above. It was a midnight blue costume featuring a multi-paneled skirt, stretch illusion with sequined top and...

Multi-colored leaf-and-feather applique (as seen in above photo). It was quite a costume, impacting and somewhat representative of the music. It was also two seconds from being a tad bit "Carnival".

Congrats Yuna and Miki--(left to right) Silver medalist Miki Ando of Japan and Gold medalist Yuna Kim of Korea-ISU 2013 Golden Spin of Zagreb

ICE STYLE.....Yuna Kim Returns! Her Short Program Costume...aa well as other Ladies from the ISU 46th Annual Golden Spin of Zagreb

Chartreuse Queen: Yuna Kim of Korea, Short Program Costume at 2013 Golden Spin of Zagreb

Yuna Kim--or Kim Yuna--the Olympic and World Champion; skated in competition today at the 46th Annual Golden Spin of
Zagreb in Croatia. She got the HIGHEST SHORT PROGRAM SCORE for all Ladies competitor
during this 2013-2014 season. The Golden Spin of Zagreb, by the way, is a senior international figure skating competition. A lot of lower-level skaters from many countries usually show up but in this edition, the Olympic champion made an appearance much to the delight of figure skating fans.

 Yuna Kim of Korea--2013 Golden Spin of Zagreb

So far, she's only skated her Short Program so I want to discuss--naturally--her costume for that. Kim skated to “Send in the Clowns” in a chartreuse colored costume featuring stretch lace over nude illusion mesh and covered with multicolored crystal top section, long chiffon sleeves and chiffon multi-layered skirt.

Chartreuse Covered Up: From the photos above, it's obvious her costume is very well made and has a lot of intricate sequin detail. The color is a very difficult color to pull off--remember Julianne Moore in the Dior Haute Couture sat the 64th Annual Academy Awards:



 

But Yuna Kim was able to pull it off...I do like the costume and the color on her, I must admit. If I had any critique, it would be the "mumsy" aspect of the silhouette. I know that Kim is not known for anything too plunging or skin revealing but perhaps this style just seems a bit covered up and "older". I would love to know what you guys think?



Also, I must add...Yuna Kim's costume reminds me of what Nancy Kerrigan wore for her Short Program at the '92 Olympics:

Other Ladies' Short Program Costumes at the 2013 Golden Spin of Zagreb:

Miki Ando of Japan: Miki also skated at the 46th Annual Golden Spin of Zagreb. She wore this costume above for her Short Program to "My Way" by Frank Sinatra. In terms of her skate, she is in second place (Yuna Kim is in first of course). I like this light blue and dark navy chiffon and sequins costume for its "color-blocking" design and how the navy sequined panels wrap around her body in flattering ways. I just wish the skirt was shorter and there were several layers of it so I couldn't see her leotard underneath. But we must not forget, she just had a baby in APRIL!!!!

Anine Rabe of Norway, Short Program: Pretty color, pretty costume. I like the heavy-to-delicate crystal detail in the torso especially.  Her hair pulled back severely adds a touch of elegance as well.         

Ema Lipovscak of Croatia, Short Program to Tara's Theme (from "Gone With the Wind" soundtrack) by Max Steiner: First off, let's add Eva to my "Figure Skating Costume Trend: Gloves" blog posting, because, yes, kids, she's "rocking" the trend. For her Short Program here, she's wearing a black and bubblegum pink costume with gold applique front top detail and multicolored sequins. I am a bit "on the fence" in terms of whether I like it or not; it's a bit Cirque du Soleil and a bit Baroque in its styling details. I am guessing that the "corset" look is supposed to be a reference to her "Gone With The Wind" music. It seems more Mozart than Vivien Leigh.

Isabelle Pieman of Belgium, Short Program to "Crimson Wings": Isabelle's Short Program costume here is a bit "retro" to me; it seems rather late 90s in its mock-neck halter styling and sheer sleeve styling. I do think the crystals in the torso/bodice and sleeves are fine and work with the overall look.

Valentina Mikac of Croatia, Short Program to "Two Guitars by Paul Mauriat": Nude illusion, black jagged panels and thick deadlock-looking fringe...oh, and yes, it's a bodysuit with black attached leggings. 

**Stay Tuned for Yuna Kim's Free Skate Costume at the ISU 2013 Golden Spin of Zagreb!