ICE STYLE.....Skate America 2016 Figure Skating Costumes RECAP: PAIRS and ICE DANCE Costumes!

Ice Dance Style: Costumes from Progressive Skate America 2016 Ice Dance competitors--Sears Centre Arena Chicago Illinois

Pairs Couture: Costumes from Progressive Skate America 2016 Pairs competitors--Sears Centre Arena, Chicago Illinois

Continuing with my "Ice Style" Figure Skating Costumes posts on this past weekend's "Progressive Skate America 2016", in my last post HERE I recap'ed the LADIES and MEN'S costumes...and now it's time to discuss the PAIRS and ICE DANCE Costumes Highlights!

Haven Denney and Brandon Frazier USA Short Program to Don Juan est mort (from "Don Juan" musical) by Felix Gray: I liked these costumes worn by USA's Denney and Frazier. They were on-point with the "Don Juan" music; very Spain-inspired with the red and black colors as well as the gold applique detail. I liked the asymmetrical gold embellishments of her costume as well as his "looped" tie.

Haven Denney and Brandon Frazier USA Free Skate to Somewhere in Time (soundtrack) by John Barry: These costumes were quite beautiful, especially Haven's. I loved her asymmetrical neckline and the royal blue color. The silver crystal sequin work was also quite spectacular on her costume. I also loved her sequined jeweled cuffs!

Kristina Astakhova and Alexei Rogonov Russia Free Skate to The Storm by Balazs Havas

Le Bien qui fait mal (from "Mozart L'Opera Rock"): These two got my attention for their Steam Punk-like costumes. I liked his more than hers. Alexei's faux leather brown vest with gold trim was kind of smashing--along with his shirt's sleeve cuff detail. And normally, I am annoyed at the too-hipster "man bun" (Note to Alexei: It's sooo 2015!), here it works...kind of. Oh, and yes, Kristina looks slightly too "Oktoberfest Bar Waitress". BTW: They used these same costumes last year, but to a completely different program.

Julianna Seguin and  Charles Bilodeau Canada Short Program to Skokiaan by Louis Armstrong: Julianna's costume was vibrant, impacting and quite figure skating fab. I loved (naturally!) the neon bright bubblegum pink fringe details. The sequin work was also nice. His all-black shawl collared tuxedo look was a nice contrast to her bold costume. While I liked his neon green pocket hankie to match the subtle neon green in her costume, I suggest changing it to neon green AND pink since that is the predominant color for her. The added detail will really put the icing on this Figure Skating cake!

Julianna Seguin and  Charles Bilodeau Canada Free Skate to Cinema Paradiso (soundtrack) by Ennio Morricone, Cinema Paradiso performed by Monica Mancini: These costumes were very "old school" figure skating. Nothing exciting or directional or even Costume Couture about them. Hers was pretty and then, his...well, quite a bore; black shirt and pants. Nope, try again Charles. Please. 

Marissa Castelli and Mervin Tran USA Free Skate to Journey Medley: I have positive things to say about these looks on Castelli and Tran. I think her bright red sequined look was very early 80's Pageant Fab and his reflected the "Journey" era with the red-and-black color blocking detail. With that said, part of me wished they both went "Journey" concert T-shirt 80's Rocker Cool. LOL! 

Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres France Short Program to Earned It (from "Fifty Shades of Grey") by The Weekend and Maxime Rodriguez: I always look forward to what James and Cipres wear. These two have the most AMAZING bodies and they almost always give fashion folk like me something when it comes to their costumes. For their SP here, they went sexy (Hello! It's "Fifty Shades of Grey!") and it got my attention. I especially liked her black-and-nude illusion sequined trimmed top section as well as his crystal-accented shoulders. 

Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov Russia Short Program to Glam (Electro Swing Remix) by Dimie Cat: One word--Love! I love her razzle-dazzle fringe fabulous gold, silver and white costume and his center front buttoned shirt goes well with her ensemble. BTW: Has anyone else ever said how much Evgenia looks like actress Claire Danes??



ICE DANCE---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alisa Agafonova and Alper Ucar of Turkey Free Dance to Near Light by Olafur Arnalds, Beethoven's Five Secrets by The Piano Guys, Sand by Nathan Lanier: I loved the grape/violet colors, the ombre shading of her costume--and especially the diagonal drape in his top. Who knew these Turkish Ice Dancers had so much Costume Style!! Now I do.

Elena Ilinykh and Ruslan Zhiganshin of Russia Fee Dance to Slumdog Millionaire (soundtrack)

Ang Laga De by Aditi Paul: My ears--and eyes--always perk up any time Ice Dancers do a "Bollywood" theme. Russians Ilinykh and Zhiganshin ventured into India and with costume gusto! I liked these costumes for many reasons: The colors were vibrant and great, the sequin work was fabulous (love her "choker necklace" and his paisley detail!). These looks were Mumbai Hot! 

Isabella Tobias and IIia Tkachenko of Israel Short Dance to Blues: Real Life by The Weekend

Hip Hop: Can't Feel My Face by The Weekend: I am always a sucker for a good sequined jumpsuit. This one--seen on Israel's Isabella Tobias would make Carolina Kostner blush huney! I loved the multicolored sequins, the fit, the plunging neckline...Very Hot! And his all-black look was cool and modern. I especially liked his "skinny stretch jeans".

Kana Muramoto and Chris Reed of Japan Short Dance to Blues: The Sun's Gonna Shine Again, Jive: I've Got a Woman, and Swing: Mess Around by Ray Charles: Very bold, very bright. This Japanese Ice Dance team wore these purple and yellow costumes for their Short Dance. While it was a bit "cartoon-y" for sure, I still think they were impacting and in a good way. For some reason, I actually enjoyed his windowpane striped printed jacket and that yellow skinny tie. If there was a Costume Star in this dance, it would Chris!

Kana Muramoto and Chris Reed of Japan Free Dance to Poeta en el Puerto, Amor Dulce Muerte, Nada Puede Dormir,  and Poeta en el Viento by Vincente Amigo: For their Free Dance, Muramoto and Reed went Spanish Flamenco with their music and costumes. I think these worked even though there was nothing extraordinary about them. I wish someone would re-invent the Spanish Flamenco Costume "wheel". Por Favor.

Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue of USA Free Dance to I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Bootstrap, Can't Help Falling In Love performed by Ingrid Michaelson, Earned It by Bootstrap: I love these two! Their skating and ice dancing is BEYOND. I wish they would have given me just a little bit more with their costumes. I appreciate her costume's design and delicate mini pleating and flower applique detail but...the color is so bland and really had little impact on the ice. And Zachary...well, he was just whatever; lots of knit jersey. I need just a little bit more kids, costume-wise!

Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani USA Short Dance to Blues: That's Life performed by Frank Sinatra, Hip Hop: I never thought I'd live to see the day Maia Shibutani would done a halter sequined bodysuit and black skin-tight pants. But I did and...I love it! These costumes were great looks for both Maia and Alex (he looks kind of sexy-licious in his "After Waaay Too Many Martinis" unbuttoned tuxedo look). So, yes, I liked these costumes.

Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani USA Free Dance to Evolution: Mirror In Mirror by Anne Akiko Meyers, Akira Eguchi, Evolution: Anyone Like You (Club Mix) by Digitize: Her deep royal blue shirred and sequined dress was very pretty. I loved the top's detail. His was modern, sleek. I think these looks worked. I loved their skate; but didn't necessarily love the music. Their skate--and chic costumes--lifted me up, while the music wanted me to reach for another Vanilla Iced Latte with a Double Shot Espresso. #JustSaying

ICE STYLE.....ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Finals 2015/2016 Barcelona: Costumes Recap & Highlights PAIRS and ICE DANCE

Pairs and Ice Dance Grand Prix: Costume Collage of Pairs and Ice Dance at the 2015/2016 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Finals Barcelona

This past weekend were the Finals of the 2015/2016 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating which were held in Barcelona Spain. The top skaters in various disciplines competed for the top titles.  I've discussed many of the costumes during this season's Grand Prix series here on my blog. Just go to the "Search" section (on the right of this blog) under "Ice Style" and you'll find them all.

2015/2016 ISU Grand Prix Final Barcelona Spain

So...it's time to recap some of the costumes from the PAIRS and ICE DANCE skaters. I'll do a blog on the LADIES and MEN afterward...



PAIRS------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Top Three Pairs: (L to R) Silver medalists Duhamel and Radford of Canada; Russia's gold medalists Stolbova and Klimov; bronze medalists from Russia Kavaguti and Smirnov--2015/2016 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final Barcelona Spain

Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford Canada: For their Short Program to Your
Song by Elton John, performed by Ewan McGregor. I loved the bright red
color and the criss-cross gathered draping in her costume's torso. I also liked
that Eric's shirt and tank matched hers and especially his crystal buttons. Oh
and can I add, HOW HOT does Eric look with that five o-clock shadow??!! Welcome
to the beard club darling.

Free Skate to Hometown
Glory by Adele: Great multi jeweled neckline piece on Meagan's costume
and I loved the back detail. One word: Exquisite.

Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov: Short Program (top)
to I Put a Spell on You performed by
Annie Lennox, I loved their costumes,
especially hers. She wore a black high-neck costume with a exposed side with
sequined side straps. Modern and Skating Chic.

For their Free Skate (lower photo) to Man and Shadow (The Unknown Known soundtrack) by Danny Elfman, Stolbova and Klimov wore these post-modern directional costumes. I liked these costumes,
especially her gathered and criss-cross ribbon look; very modern, very chic,
once again.  

Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov: Kavaguti and Smirnov wore these costumes for their Free Skate to Manfred Symphony by Petr I. Tchaikovski. I was more of a fan of HIS costume than hers. I liked his sheer chiffon and sequined top with sexy black pants. But for some reason, her costume looked dated and way too traditional (compared to his). I also wasn't a fan of that neck piece.

Alexa Scimeca and Chris Knierim USA: These are the costumes they wore for their Short Program to Nothing Else Matters by Metallica. These were the prefect costumes to wear for such a program. I liked her studded 80's-like bustier and his outfit, in particular, looked Rocker-Fab! Especially his finger-less leather gloves and studded belt.

ICE DANCE---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte Italy: For their Short Dance to The Merry Widow by Franz Lehar, they wore these costumes. I thought these were very effective for the music. I liked the gathered tulle detail of her neckline and his "uniform"-like look was very nice.

Free Dance to La Dolce Vita by Nino Rota Soundtrack: I was also a big fan of these costumes. Her black sequined "strapless" costume was very Retro and Glam and I liked the white tulle underskirt. Luca looked sexy and very Hot Italiano in his white tuxedo shirt-and-black pant ensemble.

Madison Chock and
Evan Bates USA: Skated
their Short Dance to More by Andrea
Bocelli and Unchained Melody by
Il Divo in these looks above. I thought that Madison--as always--looked beautiful and so
feminine in this ultramarine blue dress. I liked the intricate gathering and
draping at the torso and how the multicolored sequins were used in strategic
locations. I also liked the contrast color of the underskirt. Evan's tuxedo
with tails was sharp and I appreciated how his pocket hankie was the same color
as Madison's
dress. And I REALLY appreciated him slicking his hair back and at least giving
the impression of being a little more "formal" and fancy.

Free Dance to Concerto No. 2 Adagio by Sergei Rachmaninov and Concerto No. 2 Allegro by Sergei Rachmaninov: I really liked these costumes worn by USA'a Chock and Bates. Her one shoulder ombre shaded dress was pretty and ethereal. But he was really the (Costume) star here with his asymmetrical neckline side draped top. 

Maia and Alex Shibutani USA: For their Short Dance to Coppelia by Leo Delibes, these are the costumes they wore. I was at first a bit surprised at the "Prom Princess"-like look of Maia's pink and sequin costume. But as the routine was being performed, I realized that it was very "Coppelia" a fit the dance perfectly. Alex look great, by the way. I would have liked for his costume to be a bit more "designed", but overall they both looked great.

Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje Canada: Weaver and Poje skated their Short Dance to "The Blue Danube" and "Annepolka" by Johann Strauss in these gorgeous costumes. These were stupendous. I loved both his and hers. very Luxe and very Skating Couture.

Free Dance to On the Nature of Daylight by Max Richter and Run by Ludovico Einaudi: For their Free Dance at the 2015/2016 ISU Grand Prix Finals, Canada's Weaver and Poje wore these blue-gray ombre draped costumes. I absolutely loved them. This was a costume change from what they wore for the Rostelecom Cup/Cup of Russia:

Rostelecom Cup/Cup of Russia 2015

The new costumes were beautiful, modern, ethereal and drape-gorgeous!

**NEXT UP: The LADIES and MEN Costume HIGHLIGHTS of the 2015/2016 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating