ICE STYLE.....NHK Trophy 2015 Figure Skating Costumes Recap! LADIES, MEN, PAIRS

Skating Couture: Highlights of some of the figure skating costumes seen at the NHK Trophy 2015, Nagano Japan

This past weekend was the last of six events on the 2015-2016 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating competitions in advance of the Grand Prix Finals. The event was the 2015 NHK Trophy and it was held in Nagano, Japan. I've covered my Figure Skating Costumes Highlights of 2015 Skate Canada HERE, 2015 Cup of China HERE, and the 2015 Rostelecom Cup of Russia HERE, so now, of course, it's time to talk about some of the costumes from 2015 NHK Trohpy.



Let's start with the LADIES:

Top Three: (L to R) Silver medalist Courtney Hicks of USA; gold medalist Satoko Miyahara of Japan; and bronze medalist Mao Asada of Japan--2015 NHK Trophy Nagano Japan

Mao Asada Japan: I've discussed Mao Asada's Free Skate Costume HERE so I wanted to talk about her Short Program costume to Bei mir bist du schoen, a famous Yiddish song from a Yiddish musical. Her costume was a fuchsia pink number with silver diamante crystals with pink trim sewn in flower-like patterns. It also featured long sleeves and an open back. This was quite feminine and pretty. It wasn't ground breaking in its design, but the color was impacting and the high neck and open back made for a striking image.

Satoko Miyahara Japan: Gold medal winner Satoko Miyahara skated her Short Program to Firedance from "Riverdance" by Bill Whelan. She was very "Carmen"-like in this red with black netting trim costume. The design also had scrolling applique and sequins. I wasn't a fan of this. For some reason, it didn't look polished or expensive enough. I did like the hints of black contrast and the red rose in her chignon hairstyle but besides this, it was just not that interesting of a design.

Free Skate to Un Sospiro by Franz Liszt: Miyahara wore this fuchsia pink costume featuring silver and multicolored diamantes and a scroll-like front bustier design. The skirt had tiers in an ombre-like pink coloration. The look was pretty and very starting-out ballerina. Nothing spectacular about this. She looked like she was part of the Junior Skating group. I'm sure it must be difficult to make her look sophisticatedsince she is all but a mere 17-years old. But I do appreciate the beautifully tiered skirt and the fantastic skate that won her the gold!

Courtney Hicks USA: Silver medalist Courtney Hicks wore this costume for her Free Skate to Elizabeth The Golden Age (soundtrack) by Craig Armstrong and A.R. Rahman. The costume featured bright canary yellow fabrication with multicolored sequin work. There were color and style nods to the grand mustard yellow costume worn by actress Cate Blanchett in the "Elizabeth The Golden Age" film. And I did like the subtle tiara in her updo hairstyle. 

Short Program to The Feeling Begins by Peter Gabriel: I really liked this costume on Courtney. The color, the sequin work, the design. And her elegant hairstyle. She looked like a top skater wearing a chic modern costume. Well done.

Ashley Wagner USA: I've written about her Free Skate costume HERE so it was time to talk about her Short program to Hip Hip Chin Chin performed by Club des Belugas. Especially since...she changed it! Can you spot the difference between the left and the right photos above? The left is the new costume and the right is the one she wore previously at Skate Canada 2015 Grand Prix. Similar silhouettes but the new one is much more "Haute" for sure.

 Before: The previous Short Program costume was a halter neckline black number with a simple stretch chiffon skirt, featuring subtle sequin detail--and that back sequin stripe...

After: The newer Short Program costume was much more designed, more sophisticated, more FABULOUS! I loved the fringe skirt and I especially liked the degrade effect of the front torso crystals. This, kids is what a well-done, EXPENSIVE figure skating costume looks like! Very good.

Alena Leonova Russia: Alena skated her Free Skate to Summertime performed by Carmen McRae, Jailhouse Rock by Elvis Presley, In Other Words by April Stevens, Sing Sing Sing performed by the Andrew Sisters in this fun costume above. I liked the bias-cut plaid in the torso/midriff and how it continued onto the skirt. The rest of the costume featured a gathered top with crystals, a red rose at the waist, gloves and arm feathers. This was fun and appropriate with the music.

Short Program to Smile performed by Nat King Cole, Overture - Unveiling the Statue (City Lights soundtrack) by Carl Davis, Terry's Theme (from Limelight soundtrack) by Charlie Chaplin: I also like Leonova's Short Program costume. She always has a knack for making a statement when it comes to her costumes and this little number was no exception. The minute I saw her on the ice I thought "Charlie Chaplin", and lo and behold, that's what she was skating to. I think that's a good thing.

Anna Pogorilaya Russia: Anna skated her Short program to Bolero for Violin and Orchestra by Walter Taieb and Vanessa Mae wearing this wine-red costume. The design featured nude illusion sections with red pieces intertwined. The costume was VERY Anna and very daring. 

Mirai Nagasu USA: Mirai skated her Free Skate to The Great Gatsby (soundtrack). This was the perfect costume interpretation of that film. There were Art Deco-like sequins, flapper-like details, the 1920's headpiece. The costume itself was pretty stunning and I also loved the crystal wristbands/cuffs. 

MEN-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yuzuru Hanyu Japan: First off, Yuzuru did AMAZING!!!! His Free Skate at this past weekend's 2015 NHK Trophy was EVERYTHING! Now, back to the costumes...Yuzuru skated his Short Program to the same music he skated to last season Ballade No. 1 op. 23 in G minor by Frederic Chopin but his 2014-2015 Season costume was slightly different. See if you can spot the difference. The top photo is the newer version which he wore at the 2015 NHK Trophy. In the newer costume, his cummerbund is copper as opposed to black and the top/blouse is a more subtle ombre shading and features panels (on the midriff side and sleeves) of gold. 

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

Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford Canada: Gold medal winning Pairs couple Duhamel and Radford skated 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 gathered halter neckline detail.

Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres France: James and Cipres of France skated their Short Program to Hometown Glory by Adele. Now, I love a unitard/jumpsuit. Especially a good one. And this one on Vanessa is a fabulous one. I like the heavy sequin neckline and wrist detail as well as the faux leather shoulder and high-hip accents. And yes, Morgan looks hot in his costume. All that faux leather strapping and criss-cross belting is very Leather Bar Lite. And I likey.

ICE STYLE.....2015 World Figure Skating Championships Shanghai Costumes Recap Part 1: Ladies Costumes!

Ladies Costumes--2015 World Figure Skating Championships, Shanghai China

This past week--and weekend--the 2015 World Figure Skating Championships, were held in Shanghai China. In terms of importance in international figure skating competitions, this is the most important event of the year (second only to the Olympics during those years). The Championships were held at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center and involved events in Ladies, Men, Pairs and Ice Dance.

Opening Ceremony--2015 World Figure Skating Championships Shanghai China

Here in my blog , I love to discuss the COSTUMES so...it's time to break down the highlights (and some not-so-mucheey!) as well as some costume changes of this past week's 2015 World Figure Skating Championships. Let's begin with the LADIES:

Ashley Wagner of the USA: I've discussed Ashley's costumes for her Short Program to "Spartacus" by Aram Katchaturian (top photo) and her Free Skate to "Moulin Rouge (soundtrack)". I LOVED them both! I think they are impacting, seem to be made very well and feature distinctive features and details unique to the music she skated for each of the programs. I also love that one was more drape-influenced (her Short) and the red one, went a more fitted/corset route.

Gracie Gold of the USA: Gracie skated her Free Skate to "The Phantom of the Opera" by Andrew Lloyd Webber at the 2015 World Figure Skating Championships wearing the costume above. This was a new costume, in contrast to what she had worn previously at the 2015 Prudential Figure Skating Championships as well as the 2015 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships. She kept basically the same deep violet color but this new costume was more "mature", more elegant and definitely more directional in terms of style and fashion. I especially liked the "plunging" back with extra long gathered straps. Overall, a much more chic costume than these:

2015 US Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships/U.S. Nationals: plunging neckline, violet, sequined applique.

2015 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships: Same style of costumes but notice the different neckline--the one above is more scooped as opposed to plunging.

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva of Russia: Even though Elizaveta's costumes for both her Short Program and Free Skate were very similar in terms of silhouette (caftan madness!!), I still thought they were two of my FAVORITES of the entire season. For her Short Program to "Bolero" by Maurice Ravel (top photo), she wore this black dolman sleeved costume with side tie and delicate bead work. While for her Free Skate to "Batwannis Beek" by The REG Project and "Sandstorm" by La Bionda (lower photo), she basically wore the same costume (with slight neckline variations) but in a different color and with much more jeweled sequined work . I loved the color, the asymmetrical neckline, the chiffon dolman sleeves and gold jeweled details. FAB-ulous! If I had any critique, it would be her UNKEMPT hair; it always seemed as if she had just gotten up and was about to head to the gym--or shop for groceries. I would have loved a much more stylized bun, perhaps. 

Anna Pogorilaya of Russia: These two costumes above were worn by Anna throughout the season for her Short Program to "Adagio" by Il Divo (top photo) and Free Skate to "The Firebird Ballet Suite" by Igor Stravinski (lower photo), I thought both were very "Fashion Diva" in terms of design and execution and while I do LOVE bright, bold colors, I might have to choose the light blue one (Short Program) as my favorite of the two, especially because of the asymmetrical torso lines in the costumes which seemed to "swirl" around her body. On another note, Anna also was suffering from EMHS--the "Elizaveta Messy Hair Syndrome", especially in her Short Program; she had lots of annoying flyaways and needed more hair gel or hairspray. 

Elena Radionova of Russia: Little Elena wore this red costume for her Short Program to "De Mi Vera te Fuistes" by Pepe Romero and "Ain't It Funny" by Jennifer Lopez. It's tacky-licious and frankly, looks amateur hour. I get that because of the fiery sexy music, the costumers tried to interject some "fiery-ness" into the costume but still have it be age-appropriate. Unfortunately, it still ended up lacking in a certain taste level. And oh, that big ol' rosette on her fingerless glove was DEFINITELY too mucheeey!

Li Zijun of China: Li Zijun wore this very pretty costume to her Short Program to Waltz of the Flowers (from "Nutcracker") by Peter I. Tchaikovski. The pink costume featured many silver crystals and a jigsaw puzzle-like gathered bust section. I also loved the built-in necklace. The entire costume looked well made and expensive. This is a perfect example on how to be young, age-appropriate pretty (for a young skater--she's 18 years-old) yet still be chic. Maybe her costumers need to talk to Elena Radionova's people. ASAP!

Kiira Korpi of Finland: Kiira Korpi did not advance at the 2015 Worlds to the Free Skate but I wanted to talk about her short program costume which she wore skating to "A Day In the Life" by The Beatles. I loved this--it was modern, very fashion-savvy, in fact it reminded me of one of my NIKOLAKI red carpet dresses, especially the asymmetrical lines and tone-on-tone beading. Very well done!

Mae Berenice Meite of France: Mae Berenice is a bit of a Fashionista and it's always interesting to see what she'll have on--costume-wise. I liked both her Short program costume to "Hosanna" by Soweto Gospel Choir, "The Groove You Liked (Mala Dub)" by Savanj Rooms and "Freedom" (top photo) as well as what she wore for her Free Skate to "Conquest of Spaces", "Shadows" and  

"Run Boy Run" by Woodkid. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be the ivory and gold sequined number. That bead work is EXQUISITE and very, very expensive! That's a $5,000 costume right there (if not more!) and looks like it! And I give her costume designer points for MATCHING her skin with the illusion. Yeayyy for that! Part of me, though, does miss this little ensemble from Mae Berenice's (recent) costume past:

Jumpsuit Diva: Mae Berenice Meite of France at 2014 Skate America. She also wore it for the Sochi Olympics

Nicole Rajicova of Slovakia: Nicole wore this costume for her Short Program to Love Theme from "Romeo and Juliet" by Nino Rota. I thought this was quite good in terms of a costume perfectly relating to the theme/music. There's no denying that one instantly get's "Juliet!". everything--from head to toe--is well done!

Polina Edmunds of the USA: Above are Polina's costumes for both her Short Program to "Flamenco Medley" of "Buleria" and "Tango Serenata" from the Flamenco Fantasy and Free Skate to "Tinker Bell" from "Peter Pan Soundtrack" by James Newton Howard. To be perfectly honest, I am a bit conflicted with these costumes on Polina. When I first saw them at the beginning of the season, I liked the Short Program one better than the Free Skate outfit. The Free Skate dress seemed almost too juvenile (even for "Peter Pan"/Tinkerbell). I also think that Polina's body is changing and she's really looking more and more 'adult" and therefore may need more adult-like costumes that really fit her long lithe figure better; these seem made more for a junior skater as opposed to someone on Polina's level.

Joshi Helgesson of Sweden: Joshi wore this for her Free Skate to "Snow White and the Huntsmen" (soundtrack). While I kind of get the reference, I think it fell quite short of achieving it. It looks a bit like a "Hollywood Costume Shop"  costume one gets in a bag. I wish the costumers might have gone darker and slightly more sinister...like this:

Two of my LEAST FAVORITE costumes were...

Kanako Murakami of Japan: I do not like this yellow costume worn by Kanako for her Short program to Think of Me (from "The Phantom of the Opera") by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It's two seconds from tacky-licious and more importantly, the combination of the lemon yellow with the applique roses--plus a really unnecessary bow in her back--all scream "Quinceañera".

Satoko Miyahara of Japan: Satoko wore this for her Short Program to "The Magic Flute" by Mozart. It is so "Toddlers & Tiaras"! I have issues with the colors, the silhouette...those Leg o' Mutton sleeves, the stretch velvet...How do you say "Oh dear!" in Japanese??



**UP NEXT: The MEN!