Rostelecom Cup / Cup of Russia

 Carolina Kostner Debuts Her New Short Program Costume--Rostelecom Cup/Cup of Russia 2013 Moscow Russia

This weekend was the Rostelecom Cup (or Cup of Russia) 2013--the final of six international competitions of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating for Season 2013-2014 all leading up to the Grand Prix Final. Rostelecom Cup was held at the Small Sports Arena of Luzhniki in Moscow Russia. I've discussed a lot of the costumes for the previous Grand Prix of this season and you can find those under the "Categories" section on the right side of this blog entitled "Ice Style". So, for now, it's time to discuss the Costumes Recap of the Rostelecom Cup 2013 and the Ladies and Pairs...



Ladies:

Haruka Imai Japan, Short Program: Haruka skated her SP to "Song Without Words" by Felix Mendelssohn. It was an ombre dyed lilac costume with a nude illusion top section and silver/multi-colored jeweled neckline and bust/torso. It was pretty on her and I especially liked the delicate sleeve hem details and hair accessory as well.

Free Skate: For her FS to Piano Concerto by Saint-Preux, I thought this was an impressive costume. It had a teal and light blue multi-layered handkerchief-hemmed skirt, nude illusion top and one-shoulder sequined applique. Loved the colors and I really liked the jeweled/sequin detail. Two for two, as they say, for Haruka Imai and her 2013/2014 Season costumes.

Kanako Murakami Japan Short Program: Kanako wore this black and white costume for her SP to "Catgroove," "Libella Swing" and "Swing Bop". The costume looked a bit too "Jr. Skater" for me. The diamante vertical detail on the torso seemed cheap and the style uncreative. But, she is on trend with the gloves; LOTS of the Ladies Figure Skaters are donning gloves this season.

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva Russia, Short Program: Speaking of gloves...Russian Ladies Figure Skater Elizaveta Tuktamysheva skated her SP to a Latin Medley wearing this glove-accessorized look: it was a one-shoulder black costume with silver sparkle crystals and nude illusion neck and sleeve section. Once again, I felt this could have been more; it just did not scream "Olympic Costume" but more (yet again!), "Jr. Figure Skater". And, need I add, the messy hair didn't help. It looked as if she just got up and pulled a pony-tail as she was getting ready to head to her nearest Starbucks! Try again darling.

Julia Lipnitskaia Russia, Short Program Costume Change: Little Julia Lipnitskaia skated her SP to "You Don't Give Up on Love" by Mark Minkov at Rostelecom Cup 2013 and she wore a different costume than what she had worn previously at Skate Canada 2013...and I loved it! This was a great costume change! This costume--which was a navy and light blue costume with midnight blue stretch illusion and sequins--was so much more refined and elegant than her "young and cute" look here:

The costume she wore at her last Grand Prix appearance at Skate Canada 2013

Mirai Nagasu USA, Short Program Costume Change--Another skater who had a costume change was USA's Mirai Nagasu. On the left is what she wore to this past weekend's Rostelcom Cup/Cup of Russia 2013 and on the right, is what she last wore at NHK Trophy 2013 during her SP to "The Man I Love" by George Gershwin. There were subtle changes but, generally, it was a nice improvement. I still feel her costume needs to have a little more interesting style; sorry to be so blunt but both look slightly "store bought".

Carolina Kostner Italy, Free Skate Costume Change: There was a rumour (someone on my Twitter told me) that Italian Ladies Figure Skater Carolina Kostner's Free Skate costume that she wore at Cup of China 2013 to "Scheherazade" by Nikoli Rimsky-Korsakov (seen above on the right) wasn't her "real" one. Cut to this past weekend's Rostelecom Cup 2013 and she "debuted" a new look (left photo).  I like this new one much better; it didn't look like a "Russian Folk Song" costume (the one on the right did) and reflected much more the music and theme.I appreciated the intricacy of the beadwork in the upper torso and how it stood out against a skin-colored illusion background. With that being said....IT WAS A LOT OF LOOK! It all could be toned down just a bit and I am definitely not so sure about the beaded crotch section!!!



Carolina Kostner, Short Program Costume Addition:

Carolina Kostner also added two beaded straps to the back of her Short Program costume (seen above) which she didn't have at her last Grand Prix appearance here:

Without the straps: Carolina Kostner at Cup of China 2013

Pairs:

Julia Antipova and Nodari Maisuradze Russia, Short Program: Russian Figure Skating Pair Antipova and Maisuradze skated their Short Program to "Beethoven's 5 Secrets" by The Piano Guys in these costumes above. I liked these costumes for several reasons: the contrast between the male and the female, in colors. Also, I appreciated that the male's costume details almost mirrored hers, but with additional details. Many times, in Pairs, you're dealing with the guy in a black basic costume and the female in a super-sequined, colored look that has NOTHING to do with his black top and pants. So, I am happy that, at least, these two look as if they belong together!

Free Skate: For their FS to "Money" and "The Great Gig in the Sky" by Pink Floyd, I loved that they went "Period Rocker". She looked delicate, feminine and pretty in her pink cowl neck costume but "toughened" it up with a black diamante studded "harness" vest. And Nodari looked like a 80's Euro Rock Star (in a FAB way!) in his black Lycra with silver studs and sequined look.

Lindsay Davis and Rockne Brubaker USA, Short Program: These costumes above are what US Pairs skaters Davis and Brubaker wore for their SP to "Le Petite Fleur" and "Skokia" by Louis Armstrong. Frankly, I was bored. Lindsay looked like a saloon waitress in the old Wild West. And Rockne, well...it's a black dress shirt, black pants with a "pop" of deep lavender. Not so much to discuss. On a positive note: at least they matched--color-wise. Other than this, these were not creative.

Kristen Moore-Towers and Dylan Moscovitch Canada, Short Program: When I saw this Pairs team's costumes, I thought "Oh, these look familiar!". And I was right. The Canadian Pairs team of Moore-Towers and Moscovitch repeated their Season 2012-2013 Short Program to "A Motley Crew" from the Mic Macs soundtrack by Raphael Beau and Max Steiner for this season. They also did a repeat for their costumes. Here is what I said then about these costumes.

Narumi Takahashi and Ryuichi Kihara Japan, Short Program: Takahashi and Kihara skated their SP to Music from Samson and Delilah by Camille Saint-Saens in these costumes above and I really liked them. I loved the red and black contrast and the fact that they didn't go the predictable Near East costume route. I also loved the "car wash"-like skirt which really looked great as Narumi was tossed and did her jumps/turns.

Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov Russia, Free Skate: Stolbova and Klimov wore these bright, graphic costumes for their FS to Music from The Addams Family soundtrack by Marc Shaiman. While I appreciated the bold choices, I thought this was a confusing Pairs Costume look. Fedor looked very Gomez Adams "kooky" in his costume yet Ksenia looked as if she was skating to "Carmen". Her costume was so sleek and simple, as compared to his. For once, the MAN stood out more than the female and yet, it didn't work. And to add: there is NOTHING of Morticia Adams in her look.

Vera Bazarova and Yuri Larionov Russia, Free Skate: For their FS costumes at the Rostelecom Cup/Cup of Russia 2013 skating to "Polovetsian Dances" from Prince Igor by Alexander Borodin, which I have discussed previously HERE --which I liked!), Vera added something that wasn't present at their previous appearance: the headband with red accent. Here's how she looked without it at 2013 Trophée Eric Bompard:

 Do you guys like her better with--or without? Let me know--I'm thinking without.

***NEXT UP: Rostelecom Cup/Cup of Russia 2013 Costumes Recap: The MEN and ICE DANCE!!  

Grand Prix of Figure Skating

Bonjour Trophée Eric Bompard 2013: Gold medalist Ashley Wagner from the US (left) and Russian Pairs skaters Vera Bazarova and Yuri Larionov (left)

The fifth of six international figure skating competition of the 2013-2014 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating--2013 Trophée Eric Bompard--occurred over the weekend at the Palais Omnisports de Bercy in Paris France

 Paris France--site of the Trophée Eric Bompard ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2013/2014

I've discussed the Costumes of the previous four Grand Prix Figure Skating Competitions--Skate America, Skate Canada, Cup of China and NHK Trophy here on my blog (see Categories Section "Ice Style" on the right of this blog), so naturally, it's now time to talk about the costumes seen at 2013 Trophée Eric Bompard--Let's begin with the LADIES:

LADIES:

Mirror Mirror, I See Crystals: Ashley Wagner, Trophée Eric Bompard 2013

 

 Ashley Wagner USA, Short Program: Ashely wore this black costume for her 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!).

Free Skate: For her Free Skate to Music from Romeo and Juliet by Sergei Prokofiev, Ashley (wait for it!) CHANGED her costume. And let me tell you, it was definitely a "New & Improved" one! The costume was a deep wine red and had interesting curved and scroll-like panels accented by an intricate display of crystal work. It definitely had a "Romeo & Juliet" feel and I liked the new color. Her previous Free Skate costume this season for the same program and music was this:

Ashley Wagner at Skate America 2013i n her Free Skate Costume--I liked this but...I like the new red one more. The Empire-cut bright coral-colored one above seemed "sweet and fun" compared to the new, more serious and dramatic wine red-colored costume. All of Ashley's costumes, by the way, were designed by Jan Longmire

Mae Berenice Meite France, Short Program: Mae Berenice skated her Short Program to "The Question of U" by Prince in this bright pink costume that featured an asymmetrical neckline, one sleeve, and crystals. The bright color really works on her and I liked the asymmetry of the neckline as well. Also, I'm glad she didn't wear PURPLE--being that her music was Prince, that would have been so predictable and expected.

Anna Pogorilaya Russia, Short Program: Anna skated her Short Program to "El Choclo" (Kiss of Fire) performed by Ikuko Kawai. Her costume was BRIGHT, to say the least; it was a neon "Crayon" red sleeveless design with long matching gloves and a nude illusion "cut-out" accented with silver diamante crystals. While I like the color, I think that she may need some editing: those long gloves might be "too mucheey!". And I'm a bit confused by the uneven hem'ed "flaps" that are happening at her side upper hip area. What do you guys think of this costume? Is it a "Yeay" or "Nope!" ?

PAIRS:

Vera Bazarova and Yuri Larionov Russia, Short Program: For their Short Program to "Titine" from the Modern Times soundtrack by Stanley Black and "Paris by Night" (Je Cherche Apres Titine) by Bob Sinclair, this Russian Pair wore these costumes above. I really liked her black and white striped "one shoulder" costume which had diagonal striped panels covering the entire ensemble as well as matching "arm bands". I just had a problem with the fact that Yuri was in a black Lycra mock-neck tee and matching pants. And that's it. While Vera looked graphic and modern, he looked like a "International Male" catalog model from 1994. WHY do these Figure Skating Costume Designers--especially with Pairs--sometimes just GIVE UP....on what the guys wear. Is it the male figure skaters that push back against a more "stylish costume" and not the fault of the designers?

Free Skate: For their Free Skate to the "Polovtsian Dances" from Prince Igor by Alexander Borodin, they wore these costumes above. To start: at least this semi-elaborate costume above on Yuri made up for the non-costume he wore for his Short Program. The music they skated to--according to Wikipedia--comes from an opera which recounts the campaigns of Russian prince Igor Svyatoslavich against the Polovtsian tribes in 1185. I am guessing the costume designers wanted to interpret a little of the Medieval-like feel into the ensembles and play with some added "Spartacus/Spartan" touches as well. I liked their looks--they were strong, sexy and good for the music. And I have to add--on a separate note--Vera reminds me so much of...

  90s Supermodel and actress Venezuelan-born beauty Patricia Velasquez (right)

Caydee Denney and John Coughlin USA, Free Skate: US pairs Denney and Coughlin skated their Free Skate to Selections from The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Caydee's off-the-shoulder white costume featured beaded applique lace and chiffon and a built-in crystal necklace. John wore a black "tuxedo"-like look including a black fitted jacket, very snug pants and open wing-tip tuxedo shirt. I have to admit that style-wise, these were rather un-creative and I regret to say, not up to par with what I'd like to see from Olympic Pairs contenders. Ideally, I'd like to see his look a little more polished and hers, less 'Toddlers & Tiaras".

Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford Canada, Short Program: For their Short program to "Tribute" by Eric Radford, Duhamel and Radford wore these pink and slate gray costumes above. To start, Eric's look was a bit of a yawn but on a plus side, it fit him very snugly showing off his very athletic build. Meagan, on the other hand (and Thank Goodness) was more creative and at the very least had some style appeal with the softly draped cowl front, fluttery skirt and sequined torso. However, in general, I'd also like to see these costumes more polished and certainly just a little more fabulous. Also, Meagan has the best arms in the business, and I don't like the pink illusion sleeves. Why cover her best asset? Speaking of FABULOUS....

Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres France, Free Skate: BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO! Now THIS is what I call fabulous Pairs Costumes! The French Figure Skating pair of James and Cipres dazzled in this costumes above for their Free Skate to Music from the Angels and Demons soundtrack by Hans Zimmer and the Requiem for a Dream soundtrack by Clint Mansell. These were outstanding; the curved asymmetrical style lines, the expensive crystal work, the contrast in color between James and Cipres...

 Close Up of Morgan Cipres' sequined costume

And more importantly, the MALE skater WENT all-out in his costume and it wasn't a boring black pants-and-top look. And he still looked AMAZING and perfect for the skate, music and overall presentation. I know the season isn't over yet but so far, they take the Best Figure Skating Costumes for Pairs Trophy...here on my Blog!


**UP NEXT...The Trophée Eric Bompard 2013 Costumes Recap Part Two: the MEN and ICE DANCE!!!

ICE STYLE.....2013 ISU World Figure Skating Championships--Ladies Costumes Recap

Gold Medal Winner Yu-Na Kim of Korea skating her Free Skate at the 2013 ISU World Figure Skating Championships, London, Ontario, Canada

Continuing with my Costume Recap of the 2013 ISU World Figure Skating Championships which occurred a couple of weeks back...it's now time to discuss the Costume Highlights of the LADIES---

Mae Berenice Meite of France--For her Free Skate to Selections from "Zarafa" and "Dead Can Dance" and Soundtrack to "Belphegor", Mae Berenice wore one of my favorite Ladies Costumes from the season. It was kitschy, reminded me of Whitney Houston's "Queen of the Night" from "The Bodyguard", it was Cleopatra Fab...all of it. Oh, and it reminded me of the iconic 60's Paco Rabanne couture, as well. Très bien Mae Berenice!

Alena Leonova of Russia--Alena skated her Season 2013-2013 Short Program to "Slumdog Millionaire" and "Indian Hip Hop" and I
absolutely LOVED her apple green costume. It had great
jigsaw-puzzle-like detail in the torso with strewn sequins and gold
metal trim. The design had draping, a flirty chiffon "skirt", arm and body straps...that great back! She looked very chic Bollywood dancer.

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva of Russia--Elizaveta loves a jumpsuit/unitard/skirt costume combo. She wore two versions of this silhouette for both. For her Short Program to Music from the Love Story soundtrack by Francis Lai, Elizaveta wore this black skating dress and semi sheer sparkly leggings. I like the black with silver sequins and plunging neckline detail of the skating dress but...I'm just not sure how necessary it was for her to then also wear the sparkly tights.

Then for her Free Skate to "Dark Eyes", she once again chose to not stop with the skating dress but also added the tights. Now, she's either A) Cold, and/or B) she wants this skating dress-and-tights costume look to be her "thing". I, for one, would advice her NOT to have it be her "thing". The black with red accents and crystals skating dress is fine on its own--I would only say she should have "punched  it up" a bit more in terms of more sequins or more upper torso/sleeve detail but to add black tights/leggings to it? Not so mucheey.

Viktoria Helgesson of Sweden--I loved BOTH costumes worn by Viktoria Helgesson. For her Short Program to "Poinciana"--an album from jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal--she wore a teal costume (top photo) featuring a beaded torso top section with a fringed (very popular this past season)"skirt". The double straps were great and I liked the distribution of the diamante crystals. For her Free Skate to "Spellbound Concerto" by Miklos Rozsa, she wore a baby blue costume that looked like something from Versace. The asymmetrical neckline was great but I especially loved the sequins and how expensive and well-placed they were. She "debuted" this costume when she skated at the NRW Trophy at Eissportzentrum on December 9, 2012 in Dortmund, Germany.

This costume above is what she had been wearing the rest of the 2012-2013 Season for that Free Skate. I like them both.

Gracie Gold of USA-- For her Free Skate to Life is Beautiful soundtrack by Nicola Piovan,
Gracie wore this bright blue and sequin costume designed to look
strapless--with nude illusion at the upper chest and neck. It was very
pretty. Nothing costume "earth shattering", but yes, very pretty. Now, for her Short Program to "Hernando's Hideaway" by Various Artists...

Gracie wore this red with sequins costume which I liked very much. Both her costumes were designed by Brad Griffies and he did a fabulous job. Interesting to note that she just began wearing this costume earlier this year--first, at the 2013 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships at CenturyLink Center on January 24, 2013 in Omaha, Nebraska and in February at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships at Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium on February 9, 2013 in Osaka, Japan. This costume...

...above (which I also LOVED!) was what she had wearing the entire 2012-2013 Season prior to those two competitions. I said it was ONE OF THE BEST of the 2012 Year.

 

Ashley Wagner of USA--Speaking of great costumes, this canary yellow one on Ashley Wagner was, hands down, one of my favorite Figure Skating Costumes of this
past year/season. She wore this for
her Free Skate to "Samson and Delilah". From the moment she stepped on the ice, I thought this was Figure Skating Costume Perfection. The bright sunburst yellow with ombré
dyeing; the expertly applied sequins, the torso and neckline
detail...It was very "Samson and Delilah" for sure and at the same time
suggested the works of some of the better-known Lebanese Couturiers like
Elie Saab and Zuhair Murad. Therefore, she was Red Carpet Fab and Figure Skating Perfection!

Carolina Kostner of Italy--Carolina skated her Free Skate to "Bolero" by Maurice Ravel, performed by Andre Previn and the London Symphony Orchestra wearing this open back black costume. I thought it was elegant, modern and refreshingly void of too many "bells and whistles". It was a great departure from that Swarovski-crystal jumpsuit she wore last season.

Mao Asada of Japan--Mao wore this costume to her Free Skate to Music from Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky. She debuted this costume at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships at Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium on February 10, 2013 in Osaka, Japan. I thought this was a nice interpretation of the "Swan Lake" ballerina theme. The only complaint is that there were one too many feathers. It almost looked like she had been rolling in a feather pillow that semi-exploded.

This above (which was one of my TOP FAVORITES of last year in terms of Ladies Figure Skating Costumes) is what she wore for most of the 2012-2013 Season. I wish she would have just kept wearing this "old" costume above.

Yu-Na Kim of Korea--For her Short Program, she skated to "The Kiss of the Vampire"
and her costume was SPECTACULAR! It was an icy blue color with very
expensive-looking crystals in silver, blue and "Vampire Blood" red. It
also had a perfectly matching nude illusion shoulder/sleeve section. If you cannot tell yet...I absolutely LOVED it!

For her Free Skate to "Les
Misérables", Yu-Na did not disappoint--costume-wise. She wore a gunmetal
gray chiffon costume with "Period" sleeves, sweetheart neckline and
delicately sequined bodice. This is how I like to see my Les Misérables costumes interpreted, not sad and dreary. She won the GOLD at the Worlds and for me, she took home the gold in the Costume Category too. GO QUEEN YU-NA!

Top Three Ladies: (left to right) Silver Medalist Carolina Kostner of Italy, Gold Medal winner Yu-Na Kim, and Bronze Medalist Mao Asada of
Japan, 2013 ISU World Figure Skating Championships at Budweiser Gardens on
March 16, 2013 in London, Ontario, Canada. 

**Up Next: The Ice Dance and Pairs Costumes Highlights of the 2013 ISU World Figure Skating Championships