Figure Skating Fashion Minute: Skate Canada--The Ice Dancers!

A Blah Costume Moment...

Over the weekend, Skate Canada 2011 took place in Mississauga, Canada. I "reviewed" the Pairs Costumes in my last post, but now, I needed to take a moment to discuss the "Blah" Ice Dancers--well, their costumes that is. Usually, I REALLY look forward to the Ice Dancers, especially because they're usually the more "costume inventive" of all the figure skating disciplines. Who can forget the "Aborigines Gone Wrong" costumes from the Russians Domnina and Shabalin of almost two years ago? And France's Pechalat and Bourzat "Mummy Dearest" Pharaoh costumes from last week at Skate America. The "taste" level of those costumes could be argued but at least they made me stand up and take notice.

The Top Three: (L to R) The Silver went to Canada's Weaver and Poje, Gold to Virtue and Moir, and Bronze to Italy's Cappellini and Lanotte

At these past weekend's Ice Dancing competitions--there was a lack of excitement in terms of costumes for both the Short and Free Dances. Let's discuss:

Virtue and Moir of Canada: For their Latin Short Program, the Canadian Ice Dancing pair of Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir danced to "Hip Hip Chin Chin", "Tempation" and "Mujer Latina" by Mexican singer (and Mrs Tommy Motola) Thalia. I loved her turquoise blue completely rhinestoned costume. The top heavily jeweled neckline was fantastic and so were the bugle-beaded "fringe" dropping from her skirt. It added lots of great "cha-cha" movement to her costume. Moir's was just "there": a deep-v black long sleeve top straight out of American Apparel and matching black pants seemed mismatched for the BEDAZZLED fabulousness that was Virtue. I get that he's supposed to just be "invisible" I guess. But it just seemed as if he was going out to a dinner at a nice West Hollywood restaurant--and she was going to the World Championship of Latin Ballroom dancing! They didn't go together.

And for their Gold Medal-winning Free Dance, Virtue and Moir bored me again! They skated to George Gershwin's "Funny Face" and " 'S Wonderful". Their skating was marvelous, it's just the costumes that left me wanting for just a little more.

For this, Virtue's garnet "strapless" red dress with illusion neckline and jeweled "necklace" was unexciting. It looked like a dress from the super sale section at Nordstrom Rack.

At least, they gave Moir a matching red neckerchief--so we could see some sort of a connection between the two. But even then, take the scarf away and what do you have? A guest at a wedding at midnight after one too many Champagne toasts! With the scarf, he looks like a waiter at a cheesy Italian Restaurant. What an Italian waiter has to do with Gershwin and "Funny Face", is, beyond me.

"Middle of The-Ice Dance-Road" Costume Award Goes To:

Italy's Capellini and Lanotte, the Bronze Medalists: They skated their Free Dance to "La Strada". I liked their costumes and yes, I get the Italian influence (the soundtrack to a 1950's Federico Fellini film). But I was still left wanting a bit more. They both looked like Italo-French waiter and waitress at a Disneyland Restaurant.

The Disco Queen Award Goes To:

Canada's Harvey and Gagnon: Tarrah Harvey and Keith Gagnon skated their Free Dance to a Rolling Stone Medley of "Miss You" "Angie" and "Paint It, Black". But both of their outfits look more like a 1979 Jordache Jeans Ad. And somehow, I still loved it! Especially hers: very Studio 54 Disco. They should have skated to Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive", then the costumes would have made more sense!

The Best Dressed Ice Dancers Award Goes To--by Default:

Weaver and Poje of Canada: Well, here was some "excitement" in terms of costumes, by way of the Silver Medalists from Canada, Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje. They went Tiger-tastic for their Latin-inspired "Historia de un Amor" (Rhumba) and "Batacuda" (Samba) Short Program.

Not sure what a costume that looks like a combo of an "exotic" rug and a BCBG "after 5" dress has to do with Samba and Rhumba...but that's just me. But--the fact that they were a little more creative than their other competitors, made me deem them my "Best Dressed" Picks for this season's Skate Canada Ice Dancers. By default: Congratulations and Félicitations.

* Up Next: The Men and the Ladies of Skate Canada 2011

Figure Skating Fashion Minute: Skate America 2011--The Ladies !!

Best BEDAZZLED--in the Ladies Short and Free Skate...

Girls Best Friend: Russia's Ksenia Makarova in bubblegum pink "Marilyn Monroe" costume, Skate America 2011 Ladies Free Skate

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2011 Hilton HHonors Skate America begun on Oct 21st at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario California. Skate America is the first of six events of the 2011/2012 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series.

Top Three: Silver Medalist Italy's Carolina Kostner, Gold Medalist USA's Alyssa Czisny, and Bronze Medalist Sweden's Viktoria Helgesson, Skate America 2011

The skaters compete for a global prize money of $180,000 per individual event of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating and the top six of each discipline go on to the Finals. First up: the Ladies. They skated their Short Programs as well as the Free Skate.

I love Figure Skating and Figure Skating Costumes so much that I actually drove all the way to Ontario (only an hour drive from LA "proper") to see the Pairs Final Competition as well as the Ladies Free Skate at Skate America 2011 in the Citizens Business Bank Arena--along with the man who got me into all this figure skatin' stuff--my trusty NIKOLAKI partner, David Paul. Yes, kids, it was a day filled with Figure Skating and bedazzled madness!! That's how I like to spend my Sunday...

So, now let's get to my "Nick Skating Costumes Two Cents" for the Ladies:

Carolina Kostner: I always look forward to what Italy's Carolina Kostner wears. She became a "Skating Fashionista" ever since she enlisted the design expertise of Italian Designer Roberto Cavalli, several Winter Olympics ago. Not sure if the "House of Cavalli" is still designing her costumes but they are still great! For her Short Program, Carolina wore a brightly colored sherbert-y costume featuring a side-gathered "wrap" silhouette and a beaded side panel and sleeve.

Carolina Kostner Ladies Free Skate ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Skate America 2011

For her Free Skate, she skated to Mozart's Concerto No. 77 and I loved this costume much more than her first. It was actually one of my favorites of the competition. It was dramatic, very "Dancing With The Stars" cheeky yet still very beautifully made (especially seeing it up close from my seats at the Arena!).

The bodice and torso with its navy-to-light-blue sequin work was incredible, as you can see from the above photos. In terms of her skating, she actually WON the Free Skate but she ended up in second place overall, and got the Silver. She gets the Gold for Costumes from me.

Ksenia Makarova: My next favorite (secretly my MOST!), was the costume worn by Russia's Ksenia Makarova (I just love saying her name OVER and OVER again!) in her Free Skate. When she first stepped on the ice, I said "She is so 'Madonna Material Girl'!" And yes, I was partially correct: she actually skated to a "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend" medley.

It was a "Mini Me" version of the iconic William Travilla-designed bubblegum pink gown that Marilyn Monroe wore in the film "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes". It was "strapless" (well, of course, with an attached skin-colored illusion netting), had a HUGE statement-making "diamond" necklace as well as bracelets.

Toddlers, Tiaras, and Bows: No detail was left on the sewing and cutting room: not only did the costume feature the side draping of the original gown, but the accompanying pink gloves Ksenia wore also had little bows at the elbows. Was it a little TLC's "Toddlers & Tiaras"? Yes! But did I LOVE it? TOTALLY!

Viktoria Helgesson: Sweden's Figure Skating "Barbie Doll", the gorgeous Viktoria, also skated to the music from "Sunset Blvd: the Musical" which, of course, is based on the legendary Hollywood Movie. I assume she was trying to vibe the "Norma Desmond" character in this black crystal beaded costume with white fur cuffs. Her hair was done up very "50's Hollywood Glamour" but I'm not sure if it worked entirely. Look, I think Viktoria looks gorgeous in anything she puts on, but I actually thought she looked more like a "Sexy Christmas Santa Helper" than Gloria Swanson. Here's a thought for her next Skating Competition Theme: Pan Am. She needs to do 60's Pan Am Airline Stewardess. Like TOMORROW!

Alyssa Czisny: Finally, we have the Gold Medalist USA's Alyssa Czisny. She was certainly the Star of the Weekend, leading the Ladies Short and then taking the BIG prize at the end. I liked her Short Program costume better than her Free Skate. For her short, she wore a beautifully elegant light pink bateau-necked costume that was modern, sleek and oh-so-not Figure Skating tacky-licious.

Loved the bodice/torso completely covered in Swarovski crystals and the simple thin belt, and it also featured a gorgeous beaded see-through back. A WINNER for sure!

On the other hand, I was a bit underwhelmed by what she wore for the Free Skate. She skated to Valse Triste ("Sad Waltz") from Jean Sibelius. And the costume seemed a little sad (maybe that was the point!). The aubergine color didn't really "pop" on the ice and, dare I say it, it might have benefited from some extra "sparkle".

Yes, MORE BEDAZZLING! Well, maybe just a couple more. It didn't look "International Competition Costume" ready enough for me. But it was impeccably made and when you see it up close the delicately draped bodice and beading is stunning. But oh well, what do I know--the beautiful Alyssa won the entire thing; she brought the entire Ontario California audience (me included!) to our feet, bland costume and all. Congrats Alyssa and keep the costumes FAB!! Remember, I'm watching :)

* Up Next: The Men...at Skate America!!!