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: PAIRS Costumes

Top Three: (left to right) Silver Medal Winners Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany, Gold Medalists Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov of Russia, and Bronze Medalists Meagan
Duhamel and Eric Radford of Canada in the Pairs Free
Skating Program, 2013 ISU World Figure Skating Championships, Budweiser Gardens London, Ontario, Canada.

Figure Skating Costume aficionados, we're on to Part Four of my 2013 ISU World Figure Skating Championships Costume Recap (Read Part One (Men's) HERE, Part Two (Ladies) HERE, and Part Three (Ice Dance) HERE). So, now, it's time for the Pairs...Here are my "Nick Costume Highlights":

Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres of France--James and Cipres compete in the Short Program to "Rhumba d'Amour" and "Safri Duo" wearing these costumes above. I like the richness of Vanessa's fuchsia color and the contrast of Morgan's black look. The crystals strewn throughout both costumes are well-done even if they are two minutes from looking like they're on "Dancing With The Stars", the French version. The highlight here is, of course, Morgans PLUNGING neckline. He is GIVING cleavage!! How do you say "Sexy Hot" en français?

For their Free Skate to "Pearl Harbor" by Hans Zimmer, Morgan is at it again with his deep V neckline. I love Vanessa's blue with silver "necklace" encrusted costume but I am once again, distracted by Monsieur Cipres' cleavage...and in a good way!

Qing Pang and Jian Tong of China--Pang and Tong of China performed their Short Program to "Scott and Fran's Paso Doble" in some of the most intricately divine costumes of the season.
The costumes were as intense and fiery as the music. His Toreador
costume is sexy, strong, expensive-looking and perfectly theatrical. It was also very
traditional in its styling which contrasted her costume. While he went traditional, her Señorita was more abstract, directional with its asymmetrical detailing and mix of fabrications and sequin applique. 

Stacey Kemp and David King of Great Britain--For their Free Skate to "Pomp and Circumstance" by Edward Elgar, Stacey went one-shoulder Grecian Goddess and David went British soldier. I think they actually look a little more like "The Prince" and "Clara" from "The Nutcracker" or like characters from a Disney movie. Nevertheless, I still liked these costumes. I'm a sucker for anything that looks like it is from a Disney film or The Nutcracker.

Alexa Scimeca and Chris Knierim of USA--Alexa and Chris skated their Free Skate to the "Life Is Beautiful" Soundtrack. I'm usually not a fan of the guy-wearing-the-vest look; it gets a little contrived and tired. And here...this holds true. While I like the black and red colors (especially her red and sequined costume), Chris looks like a Blackjack Dealer at The Bellagio Las Vegas in this.

Cheng Peng and Hao Zhang of China-- For their Free Skate to "Poeta" by Vincente Amigo, Peng and Zhang wore these Spain and Flamenco-themed costumes.They were both a bit "cookie-cutter" in terms of anything exciting or earth-shaking, especially with the over-used Spanish theme. However, what did get my attention, was Hao Zhang's braided ponytail. What was that??? Someone please get scissors. Pronto!

Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany--Savchenko and Szolkowy are Costume Divas. For good and bad. However, as much as I try to forget their "Pink Panther" looks of several seasons ago, I cannot (because I think I liked them!). For their Free Skate to "Flamenco Bolero" by Gustavo Montesano, they wore these black with Miro-inspired print costumes.

They debuted these new costumes at the 2013 European Championships in January of this year but Aliona chose to wear black tights as shown above. I like it better without. Now this was a costume change for the two Pairs skaters from earlier in the 2012-2013 Season at Skate Canada 2012...

They wore this above. Needless to say, this was all about a mess. Too distracting and well, too "kooky" abstract and Cirque du Soleil-ish. Thank goodness they were wise enough to make a change, especially for the all-important Worlds.

Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov of Russia--Volosozhar and Trankov skated their Free Skate to "Violin Muse" by Ikuko Kawai I felt these costumes were much more ethereal,
exploratory. They were "Modern Fluttery" almost evoking a Nikinsky-like factor.  I loved that his look was especially ultra feminine, considering how UBER masculine he is built.

Congratulations to Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov of Russia for winning the Gold!