ICE STYLE.....Skate America 2016 Figure Skating Costumes RECAP! LADIES and MEN Costumes: From Great to Meh!

 Skate America 2016 Ladies Costumes Fab

Skate America 2016 Mens Costumes

Hellooooo Figure Skating Costume Fans! It's time for a new season and time for my "Ice Style" blogs! Progressive Skate America 2016 occurred this past weekend--the first of six ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating senior level invitational competitions--at the Sears Centre Arena in Chicago, Illinois USA.

So..., it's time to recap my Favorite --and Meh!" costumes. This post will deal with the LADIES and MEN and I will of course, talk about the PAIRS and ICE DANCE later. Let's see who got my FASHION attention:



Ladies: The Fab Costumes----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gracie Gold USA Short Program: Gracie skated her Short Program to Assassin's Tango (from "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" soundtrack) by John Powell wearing this very modern black costume. I loved it! It was fresh, directional and fashion forward, especially when it comes to figure skating costumes. I loved the bias binding "spider web-like" detail and the subtle silver crystal embellishment. For some reason I kept thinking that I had seen this look somewhere before...and yep! I was right!:

Atelier Versace Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2016: Ummm...First off: I have waaaay too much of a fashion runway photographic memory! Secondly: Gracie's costume was a very well done knock-off and I loved the obvious inspiration from actual Hi-Fashion runway shows; that I TOTALLY appreciate.

Gracie Gold USA Free Skate to Daphnis and Chloe by Maurice Ravel: While Gracie's SP costume was more modern, she went back to her "Ice Queen" look with her Free Skate costume. This nude colored design was still quite fabulous and expertly done. The golden sequins were exceptional and I especially loved the hair accessory. Overall: Quite gorgeous.

Ashley Wagner USA Short Program to Sweet Dreams (Are Made of These) by Annie Lennox: What can I say other than I LOVE THIS! It's chic, superfab and so right for the Annie Lennox music. Ashley wore this blue asymmetrical design which featured great sequin details on the shoulders, neckline and throughout the costume's torso. I also loved the slight royal blue color "peek-a-boo". Oh and to finish everything off, her smoky eyes and red lipstick were 90's New Wave on-point.

Ashley Wagner Free Skate to Exogenesis Symphony Part 3 by Muse: Gorgeous, refined and expensive-looking. This lilac and violet gray sequined costume was a work of Figure Skating Couture. I liked the multi-paneled skirt and heavy-to-light crystal work. In case anyone still wonders what a $5,000-looking figure skating costume looks like...well, see photo above kids! (and it's worth every penny!).

Mao Asada Japan Short Program to Danza Ritual del fuego (from "El amor brujo") by M. de Falla: I loved this "Black Swan"-like costume worn by Mao Asada. The nude illusion-and-black applique embellished costume with godet-paneled skirt was stunning, impacting and belongs in a figure skating costume museum. 

Mao Asada Free Skate to En la cueva - La noche (from "El amor brujo"), Pantomime (from "El amor brujo"), El aparecido (from "El amor brujo") by M. de Falla: For her Free Skate, her music was basically the same as her Short Program. But while her SP was more "mysterious" and dark, her FS went into the "fiery" zone. This costume featured red sequin applique, nude illusion and chiffon. The look was very "Carmen", but refined, not campy, and I liked it. I especially loved the draped chiffon skirt.

Mariah Bell Short Program to Roxy Heart (Chicago soundtrack) performed by Renee Zellweger All That Jazz (Chicago soundtrack): This was certainly one of my favorite costumes at Skate America 2016. It had all the costume "razzle dazzle" of something accompanying "All That Jazz" but yet, not coming off too cheap "Halloween" costume version. Loved the delicate lilac coloring and jeweled sequin work.

Mariah Bell Free Skate East of Eden by Lee Holdridge: This costume was very old-school Vera Wang/Nancy Kerrigan. And I loved it! The high-neck style, the see-through sleeves, the sequin crystal work...yes, it was very "Figure Skating Costume 101" but, it was done well and worked for the lovely Mariah.  



The "Meh!":

So Youn Park South Korea Free Skate Aranjuez Mon Amour performed by Nana Mouskouri: While I did like the clean silhouette of this costume, I felt it was lacking in some directional design qualities. The point d'esprit sleeves and back were a nice contrast to the all-black and I liked the red and silver crystals but (I cannot believe I am saying this), maybe it needed more crystals?! What do you guys think?

Mai Mihara Japan Free Skate Cinderella by Patrick Doyle: Mai is all but 17 years old and now she's joined the Senior's rank, but yet, her costume (and, let's be honest, her music choice too!) was a tad bit on the Junior's side. Yes, her costume was very "Cinderella" but there was something about that jewel teal color, sequin work, and off-the-shoulder silhouette that screamed "young". 



The Men: The Good------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Adam Rippon Short Program to Let Me Think About It (Ida Corr vs. Fedde Le Grand): When Adam came out onto the ice in this--and then the music started, I swear I was at the Tropicana Beach Club in Mykonos! His barely-there costume of a sleeveless faux leather-and-illusion sequined muscle top (try to say that four times!) and skin-tight black pants went perfectly with the high-energy dance music soundtrack. I loved the royal blue and silver sequin detail at the side and how that illusion back continued past the side seam and onto part of the front asymmetrically. Sexy and right for the skate. Go On Adam!

Adam Rippon Free Skate to Arrival of the Birds ("Crimson Wing" soundtrack) by The Cinematic Orchestra, O by Coldplay: For his Free Skate, he wore another semi-sheer top with black pants.  Adam has never met a sheer/illusion shirt he didn't love! While yes, this might be a bit repetitive...A) Adam has the .000032% fat-free body to pull it off...and B) this top had sleeves, thank you very much! The music--and his skate--involved birds of sorts, and he showed this excellently in his choreography. The costume gave "hints" of the feathers, as you can see in the stitched applique work and raw-edged neckline. I liked it, but I wish there was bolder bird details because what was on his top could have been mistaken for an unfinished zebra-print motif. Adam: Continue to keep your costumes semi-sheer sexy but for this one, a little more obvious ornithological references might be needed.

Boyang Jin China Short Program to Spiderman: Of course, this was "Spiderman"! Hello! I liked the obviousness of the costume in regards to the music. But, I also liked that it wasn't so cheesy "Halloween" costume and done in black and silver-white. It was modern, sleek and on-point.

Boyang Jin Free Skate to La Strada by Nino Rota: I'm always interested when skaters skate to "La Strada". The Fellini film involves a clown reference (above photo) and therefore, one can go cartoony in a hot costume minute. Boyang did not. I liked the bold graphic stripes and black-and-white vest. The costume was about 90% fine, except, part of me wished he may have beaded the stripes on the shirt--in black, white and red sequins. That would have been slightly more impacting and brought the costume to a more "Couture" Jean Paul Gaultier level.

Nam Nguyen Canada Short Program to Love Me or Leave Me by Sammy Davis Jr.: I liked Nam's sky-blue and navy costume, skating to "Love Me or Leave Me". The shirt was very 1950s vintage-looking but had just the right amount of sparkle to make it "pop" for figure skating. I also liked how the blues worked together and how well both pieces fit. Listen, I'm not a fan of just a shirt and pants for Men (in International Figure Skating Competitions) but if that's what you're going to give me,...give me SOMETHING! And Nam did.

Sergei Voronov Russia Short Program to The Skin I Live In (soundtrack) by Alberto Iglesias: Sergei's costume was a black jersey long sleeve top and pants. I liked the "broken glass" sequin effect on his shirt. It was just the right amount of detail to get my "Great Costume!" attention. I wished he would have continued this detail at the side seam of the pant--using smaller subtler mirrored sequins.

Shoma Uno Japan Short Program to Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra ("Ladies in Lavender" soundtrack) by Nigel Hess: Lavender and purple are always tricky colors, especially for men in figure skating. The colors can come off too "Wedding Singer" and/or late 70's/early 80's. However, I think this costume (and the colors) worked for Shoma, especially since the music was from "Ladies in Lavender" soundtrack! I liked the feathered detail of the shirt especially. If I had one styling request: I would ask him to get rid of that necklace. I don't care what significance it has for him, it turns his costume from nice to "1987 Uh Oh!". 

Shoma Uno Free Skate to Buenos Aires Hora Cero and Barada para un loco by Astor Piazzolla: Well, well, well, Shoma, you are a Costume Divo! I loved his Free Skate (Hello!!! Those quads were INCREDIBLE!) but for my blog here, I loved this costume. It was very Tango Fierce. 



The Meh!:

Jason Brown USA Short Program to Writing's on the Wall (James Bond - Spectre) by Sam Smith: OK, first off, I LOVED his skate and performance; he was amazing! And because it was so great (minus a couple of mistakes), I almost excused his lack of a costume. But...I am just so not a fan of the dress shirt and pants look for men; it's a BIG Men's Figure Skating Costume Cop-out! I just wish he gave me "White Dinner Jacket Tuxedo James Bond" as opposed to what he would look like after three shaken-not-stirred Martinis, at 3 AM, getting ready to call it a night--all shirt unbuttoned and missing jacket. It was the low-rent version of Bond. I wanted to see this:

Dinner Jacket Chic: Hello James!

Jason Brown Free Skate to The Scent of Love (from "The Piano") by Michael Nyman: For his Free Skate, he went just as boring with basically, the same "costume" as he donned for his SP but this time, in black. I get the simple "classic" look in regards to his accompanying music, but...please give me more Jason! I hope that because this is just the beginning of the Grand Prix season, maybe your costumes aren't ready. I hope.

Jorik Hendrickx Belgium Short Program to Broken Vow performed by Josh Groban: I swear I HATE the just a shirt-and-pants look on men in figure skating. It's like no one is even trying. The costume designers are out to lunch and so is the creative team. While Jorik is HOT HOT HOT and could look great in anything, I still would like to see something that didn't look as if he went shopping at SEARS men's section for a world class figure skating competition, which seems appropriate since Skate America occurred at the Sears Centre Arena. #Fail



**NEXT UP: The Skate America 2016 PAIRS and ICE DANCE Costumes Recap!!

ICE STYLE.....2015 World Figure Skating Championships Costumes Recap Part 2: The Men!

The Men of 2015 World Figure Skating Championships

In my last post HERE, I discussed the highlights (and a couple of low ones!) of the costumes from last week's all-important 2015 World Figure Skating Championships which were held in Shanghai China. So now, it's time to talk about the MEN:

Jason Brown of the USA: Jason skated his Short Program to"Juke"
by Little Walter. His look was very Jazzy, sassy and
rock-and-roll fab! And VERY Jason! He certainly is not a male Figure Skating
Costume wallflower. Love the slim great fitting pants, the suspenders and
cobalt colored studded sleeve cuff and collar shirt. Oh and if that wasn't
enough, there was a silver chain from the belt loop to the pocket. Nothing was
left out of this costume in terms of details. For his Free Skate, he did (kind
of) a Costume Change--or modification...

Free Skate to "Tristan and Iseult" by Maxime Rodriguez: Jason wore this costume above featuring an off white blouse with dark chocolate brown wrist straps, a one shoulder over-panel piece, dark gray/black pants and dark chocolate brown cummerbund. This was a change from what he had worn before during this season...

Mustard and brown: The pants, boots, cummerbund and wrist strap colors were different. I like the darker costume much better; it looks less "gimmicky" and more adult-like. What do you guys think? 

Javier Fernandez of Spain: First off the (costume) bat: I LOVE me some
Javi! He's just DREAMY! OK, now that I have gotten that out of the way...his
costumes. I liked both costumes he wore for his

Short Program to "Black Betty" by Ram Jam (top photo) and his Free Skate
costume to Ouverture, Acto Laro al Factotum, andTemporale from
"Il Barbiere di Seviglia" by Giacchino Rossini (lower photo). If I had to pick a favorite, it would
definitely be his Free Skate one; the striped vest fit him perfectly and I
especially LOVED the mitering (matching) of the stripes in the back. I didn't
have much of a problem with his all black rockin' look for his Short program
however...the only I-Don't-Likey part is that belt! I understand that it goes
with the whole rock & roll look but...I just don't like seeing belts
that look as if they came from "Ross Dress For Less" as part of a
so-called costume; I rather see a clean waist look. 

Adam Rippon of the USA: Adam wore these costumes above for his Short Program to
"Nyah" by Hans Zimmer and Free Skate to "Piano Concerto No. 1" by
Franz Liszt. I like both costumes because they showcase Adam's very lean
body and still have enough "costume punch" to work very
effectively with his music. I especially LOVE the white shirt and black
pants look he wears for his Free Skate. The sequin work on the shirt is
spectacular! And Thank goodness there is no tacky Ross Dress For Less belt in
sight: I HEART you Adam!

Denis Ten of Kazakhstan: Denis skated his Short Program to Caruso by Lucio Dalla, performed by Joseph Callejia, and Free Skate to Ambush from Ten Sides for Pipa, Sheng, Guitar, Cello and Orchestra (from "New Impossibilties") performed by Yo Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble Vocussion (from "New Impossibilties") by Sandeep Das, Joseph Gramley, Dong-Won Kim, Shane Shanahan, Mark Suter. I think both costumes are perfectly fine on Denis and work with the corresponding music. If I had to choose a favorite, it would be the blue and black free Skate ensemble. that blouse is elegant, mysterious and only "hints" at the Near east and possibly his homeland of Kazakhstan. But part of me (as costume tacky as it is), kind of misses this:

Denis Ten during his Free Skate at the 2014-2015 Trophee Eric Bompard

Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan: Yuzuru wore these
costume above for his Short Program to "Ballade
No. 1 op. 23 in G minor" by Frederic Chopin and Free Skate
to "Phantom of the Opera" by Andrew
Lloyd Webber. In the beginning of
this 2014-2015 season, I was not a fan of these costumes--especially his Short
program one. But, I have to say, that I have warmed up to liking them. Maybe
not 110% but let's say 65%. I do like the blouson like sleeve and ombre effect
of his Short program costume even though it still seems a bit "on a budget" and not so Figure Skating Haute Couture. And I do appreciate his
Free Skate costume and the obscure almost-spray painted look of his top. At
least he didn't look like a typical cheesy "Phantom of the Opera". I
give Yuzuru--and whoever designed this costume--points for that.

Misha Ge of Uzbekistan: I am a big fan of Misha. I enjoy his skating and do appreciate his sense of costume drama! I have never met him but I have a feeling we would definitely get along! The costumes above are what he wore for his Short Program to "Ave Maria" and Free Skate to "Umbrellas of Cherbourg" (soundtrack) by Michel Legrand. I like BOTH. Let me start with the Free Skate one--it features an ombre dyed top of blue and black with a figure drawn in it. The top also is bedazzled (of course!) but in a good way, emphasizing certain details in the top. I also like his old-school male figure skater high waisted pants. Now, THAT "Ave Maria" costume:

Ave Maria Misha: Thorns, blood, silver crystals, criss-cross straps and jagged "car wash" peplum and sleeve hems...yes, it's A LOT. I get all the references: Jesus on the Cross, perhaps, might be one of them. While this might be controversial in some circles, I like this costume and also enjoy that Misha let his (semi) beard grow for it, while for the Free Skate, he is all clean shaven (see photo before); and also: why do I get this feeling that Jason Brown would LOVE to borrow this for a future skate!!??? It's so him! If he were skating to something "religious"-esque.

Michal Brezina of the
Czech Republic: Michal wore this costume for his Free Skate to "The Marriage of Figaro" by
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Intermezzo (from "Cavalleria Rusticana") by
Pietro Mascagn. I think it's a nice
costume and a well-thought out complete look. If you're going the traditional
costume route, this is a great example.

Alexander Majorov of Sweden: Alexander wore this skeleton-like costume for his Free Skate to Archangel by Thomas J. Bergersen (from "Nero"). I think it's "different" and slightly macabre. While I appreciate the "I'm being different" with the costume, it's just a little X-Ray at a Doctors Office looking...or a little "Day of the Dead".

Alexei Bychenko of Israel: For his Short Program to "La Traviata" by Giuseppe Verdi, Alexei wore this costume above. The entire look is Hollywood Costumes Rental Amateur Hour; there's the pale blue shirt, the faux vest, the neck tie/scarf, the odd ombre dyed sleeves...it's all a bit Cheese-oid Costume. Not a fan of this.

Florent Amodio of France: For his Short Program to "Le Concert" (soundtrack) by Armand Amard, Florent skated in this costume above. The look featured an off-white shirt with a VERY deep plunging neckline held up by thin straps, a black midriff cummerbund and black tight pants. Oh, and yes, black gloves. First off: we all know Florent LOVES a plunging neckline. And he should, he has like .0000012 % body fat and therefore can make use of the very lean chest he's showcasing. Personally, I think it's A LOT of chest showing. And I am even surprised at myself for even saying that. So, in a way: yeah, it's Too Mucheey. Speaking of Too Mucheey, check out his Free Skate costume:

Free Skate to "Blood Diamond" (soundtrack) by James Newton Howard and Lion King - The Lioness Hunt. In case you haven't noticed yet, yes, kids, that's his nipple showing through the dark nude illusion top. While I like the African/Tribal-like details of this costume, it's a bit Cirque Du Soleil-meets-Las Vegas Male Stripper. If I were to chose something positive, it would be that multicolored sequined midriff waist cummerbund.

Chafik Besseghier of France: Chafik wore this costume above for his Short Program
to "Heat"
and "Clozee Mountain Legend".
The look featured a colorful top with "grafitti"-like details on a
black v-neck t-shirt, black gloves and black pants. The pants had
sequined-embellished patch pockets. I thought this was an
"interesting" look--kind of street cool mixed with the necessary
sparkle needed for figure skating.

Ivan Righini of Italy: Ivan wore this costume above to his Short program to "Thriller" and "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson. OK, I totally get the Michael Jackson "Billie Jean" reference. But, for some reason, I feel as as that black paillette sequin jacket would look better on Shirley MacLaine or Liza with a Z! 

Nam Nguyen of Canada: Nam Nguyen skated his Free Skate to "La Strada" by Nino Rota in the costume above. I totally see "La Strada" in his costume. So, I give him--and his costume designer--points for that. But, I still feel it seems a bit too "gimmicky" and "Cirque Du Soleil"-like (in not a good way). I am not so sure what would have been better but I have a feeling a very good (directional-thinking) costume designer, might have come up with something!

Takahito Mura of Japan: Takahito skated his Short Program to "Carmen" by
Georges Bizet (top photo) and his Free Skate (lower photo) to "Phantom
of the Opera" by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Both were a bit "MEH"
on the costume scale for me; the "Carmen" one seemed a bit too
"Tron"-ish and the "Phantom" one was waaaay too formulaic.
I give both a 5.0 out of 10 in terms of a Costume Score.

**NEXT UP: PAIRS and ICE DANCE Costume
Highlights of the 20145 World Figure Skating Championships