Figure Skating Fashion Minute: Rostelecom Cup/Cup of Russia Wrap-Up-- Ice Dancing!!

At The Copa...Cup of Russia Copacabana...The Hottest Spot North of Havana...

Split Queen: Bobrova & Soloviev of Russia do their "thang" at last weekend's Rostelecom Cup/Cup of Russia--wait 'till you see what the front of her costume looked like (keep reading!)--it's FABULOUS!

To tie up my Rostelecom Cup/Cup of Russia 2011-2012 USU Grand Prix Season in a neat little Costume Bow, I'll finish with the Ice Dancers. And to narrow my "Nick Two Cents" Review even further, I'll discuss only the Short Dance "Latin" costumes. For this season, in case you want to know, the International Skating Union/ISU chose "Latin Dance" as the format to which all the Ice Dancing competitors were required to do for their Short Dance. It's led to a wide variety of Cha-Cha-licious "At The Copa...Copacabana" "Princess Cruises Does San Juan!" costumes. And so it may come as no surprise, it's been Costume HEAVEN for me, in terms of commentating here on my little ol' Style Blog. So, let's get to it:

Carron & Jones of France: Pernelle Carron and Lloyd Jones finished 6th overall in Moscow. They skated to "Mambo, Rhumba, and Mambo" for their Latin Short Dance. These definitely meet the "Latin Theme" requirement however, there's just not a lot of sophistication in the designs and overall presentation. They look like costumes that were left in a back Costume House closet from a forgotten 1940's Carmen Miranda Movie--Let's just say there's a lot more SASS than CLASS.

Tobias & Stagniunas of Lithuania: For their Short Dance, they skated to a "Shakira Medley" which included some "Samba and Meringue" sounds. I like the gold and black color combinations and it is a breath of Ice Dance "fresh air" to see something other than the ubiquitous BUBBLEGUM pink, CANARY yellow or ultra bright TURQUOISE in a Latin Short Dance costume. While I like the gold beaded "fringe", I'm not so sure about those bedazzled bust cups: they seem TOO BIG! They look like the bust cups of a woman who has size 40DD's and something tells me that Isabella Tobias is NOT 40DD. In terms of HIM: I'm glad he wasn't just in an all-black shirt-and-pant look (with nothing else to it) but their costumer wisely decided to tie it back to her by adding some gold beading on the shirt and pant outseam.

Pushkash and Guerreiro of Russia: For their Short Dance , these two young Russians (he's from Australia originally), skated to a "Samba, Rhumba, Samba" Medley including "La Vuelta" and "Mujer Latina" by Thalia. Alright, since there's not that much I can say about Jonathan Guerreiro and his black shirt-and-pant costume--other than well, the shirt had an interesting devore effect to it--it is all about her. Her Mantilla shawl-influenced halter dress was original and still retained a "Latina" flavor, but instead of going the "Princess Cruises San Juan" route, she went for Sevillana. The fringe is great, so is the sequined mesh bust half-section and the embroidery and aquamarine-green color is subdued and elegant.

Riazanova & Tkachenko of Russia: These two finished 7th (last) overall at the Rostelecom Cup last weekend. They skated to "Paxi Ni Ngongo" by Bonga and "Cuba" for their Short Dance. Her black costume was a SEX-a-licious Spanish Contessa! It featured an asymmetrical ruffled skirt and an (almost) completely exposed back and side: LOVED it! She really should have finished the costume with an over-the-top Peneita (hair comb) on top of her hair, but then again, that may not have worked during the spins and twizzles (can someone pick up the PEINETA on the ice???!!!). Last but not least: her partner Ilia Tkachenko is one good-looking human being! Seriously, he is like a Russian male supermodel. He could be in a GARBAGE Bag and look H.O.T.

Bobrova & Soloviev of Russia: These Russian Ice Dancers garnered the Bronze Medal overall. They skated to "Eres Todo En Mi" by Ana Gabriel and "Ooh La La" by Chicadee. I am DYING for her costume: It's like a Cirque du Soleil performer got into a collision with a Drag Queen from Rio de Janeiro! The neon peach/orange and black color combination is striking and makes for a "You Can't Miss Her from the Nose-Bleed Seats" effect. She should be on top of a very FABULOUS--and very CHA-CHA--Christmas tree is all I can say! I want MORE of her and that costume. More!

Davis and White of the USA: Meryl Davis and Charlie White won the Gold overall at the Cup of Russia. and boy, was it well-deserved: they were INCREDIBLE! At one point, during their winning Free Dance, I caught myself wide-eyed and in silent awe while watching them. It is mesmerizing to see them skate. OK, enough of the "Nick Ovations to Davis and White", let's discuss their Short Dance Costumes--and the COSTUME CHANGE--for BOTH of them! (I love when that happens):

For their Latin Short Dance-at the Cup of Russia last weekend--they skated to "Butucadas", "Life is a Carnival" and "On The Floor" by Jennifer Lopez. She wore a very modern electric orange ensemble featuring an original neckline with a "one-sleeve" detail, beading throughout and fringed skirt. Charlie had a bronzed and black metallic shirt with black pants. I quickly realized "Wait! That's not the same costumes they wore for the same Short Dance number when they competed at Skate America back in October". Well, I was right:

Davis and White at Skate America two months ago: You see!! They did change their costumes. Above, at Skate America, the neckline was completely different than the new "Cup of Russia" costume: it was a more simple halter. They did, however keep the same multicolored beading and fringed aspect of the skirt section. I ABSOLUTELY love the NEW one. It's much more directional, much more sophisticated, and oh-so-chic on Meryl! Even Charlie got a do-over as seen from his Skate America shirt. The original was Black Striped "burn out" Stretch Velvet as opposed to the newer "abstract" jacquard. I actually like the original shirt better. It is tighter and more fitted (Hello! Of course I like it!) and gives a more "Latin Dance Vibe". Watch both skates and you'll see he is MUCH sexier in the first. I wonder which Costume they will wear to next weekend's Grand Prix Final in Quebec City? I'm hoping for a combination of the two! Please!!! I'll be watching...

Figure Skating Fashion Minute: NHK Trophy 2011--The Ladies!

An Aladdin Princess, A Golden Supermodel on Ice, and Best Costumed Lady at NHK Trophy 2011-2012 Goes To...

Jasmine Asada: Silver Medalist Mao Asada of Japan in her "Scheherazade" costume, NHK Trophy 2011 Sapporo Japan

The Ladies gave their costume BEST at this weekend's Grand Prix of Japan/NHK Trophy 20111-2012 and I was watching--on TV--from my big ol' couch here in LA. I was happy to see a lot of COLOR, creativity in design and expensive-looking Swarovski jeweled crystals (not the cheap kind thank you very much!) Who were my faves?

The Top Three: (Left to right) Silver went to Japan's Mao Asada, Gold Medalist Akiko Suzuki of Japan, and Bronze, Russia's Alena Leonova

Akiko Suzuki of Japan: Akiko won the Gold, at home and I've discussed her costumes here on my blog in my Skate Canada Fashion posting. I loved both her Free Skate (top photo with the other medalists) and her Short Program (above photo) costumes. My favorite of the two is this gunmetal grey SP one. She wears this while skating to Liszt's "Hungarian Rhapsody" and well, she looks like some Contessa who should have a fabulous Castle to come home to! The black leaf design encircled by crystals is original and elegant. Imagine extending this costume into a floor-length gown! Gorgeous.

Mao Asada of Japan: She got 2nd place in Sapporo. I also give her my "Fashion Silver" Award when it comes to her Grand Prix of Japan fashion. For her Free Dance to Liszt's (a popular choice this season!) "Liebestraume", she looks all things pretty in this lilac-colored ensemble. The delicate crystal flowers detail at the torso could go the route of "Toddlers & Tiaras" in a HOT Triple Lutz Minute, but it didn't. It looked restrained yet still theatrical at the same time and VERY expensive!

Not sure about that pretzel-twist knotted waistband (looks a bit odd and jarring there), but the beautiful top makes up for it. Now, what I just LOVED was...

Asada's Scheherazade costume. It's so OUT there, it's GOOOOD!!! She looks like a cross between Princess Jasmine of "Aladdin" and an extra in those old "Bob Hope Goes To (fill in the blank)" movies. It's not every day one sees an "I Dream of Jeannie"-like harem pant costume, so as a Fashion Designer, Mao made me smile with "Fashion Glee" when she stepped on the ice.

Kiira Korpi of Finland: The "Supermodel On Ice" Kiira, looked radiant in her canary yellow costume, which she wore to her "Over The Rainbow" Short Program. At first, I thought "what does her costume have to do with that?" but then I remembered the YELLOW BRICK road!!! Hello!!!

This was the Lycra and silk chiffon with an encrusted crystal Costume ROAD! The entire design was beautiful and made her look like she should be on the cover of a fashion magazine.

And then, for her Free Skate to Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm", she wore another red carpet mini stunner, with a black costume featuring "swirled" silver-grey crystal detail and original armhole-and-shoulder crystal accents.

I also loved her 1930's-looking finger wave hairstyle that went fabulously with her music and costume. She looked like one of those Hollywood Starlets in a Busby Berkeley musical movie!

Ashley Wagner of the USA: But to me, one of the best Fashion Ladies on the NHK Trophy Ice Title goes to Ashley Wagner of the USA. She missed the Medal podium by a little over 5 points but to me, she got the Fashion Gold. I've discussed her "Black Swan" costume here and in case you missed it: this was one of my FAVORITE costumes in YEARS!!! Stunning, gorgeous, dramatic and SO "Swan Lake" Ballerina.

But I didn't discuss her red halter-necklined Short Program costume which she performs to "Pollock". This looks like a more mature version of Maia Shibutani's red "Big Band" costume. The heavy crystal beading detail looks expensive as opposed to tacky and the silhouette works for her. It also makes a sweet-and-pretty contrast to what she then wears for her "Black Swan" Free Skate. Good Job Ashley! You make my "Best Costumed" Nick List!

Figure Skating Fashion Minute: Skate Canada 2011--The Boys!

My Two Fave (Figure Skating Costume) Boys...

Spain By Way Of Canada: Patrick Chan skating his Free Skate, Skate Canada 2011-2012 Season

Continuing with my "Skate Canada 2011 Costume Review"--I am now on to the Men. The Men's Costumes, that is. Only two really excited me...

The Top Three: (Left to Right) Silver Medalist Javier Fernandez of Spain, Gold Medalist Canada's Patrick Chan , and Japan's Daisuke Takahashi who got the Bronze Skate Canada 2011-2012 Season

Let's begin with the Gold Medalist, Patrick Chan of Canada. Patrick isn't a "Costume Aficionado" if we're talking in the Johnny Weir terms (PS: Miss Him!). He's more in the Todd Eldridge & Paul Wylie School of Male Figure Skater Costuming: he thinks putting on a white dress shirt, black stretch pants and a vest is enough (BA-BA-BORIIIIING!). But somehow, he's "coming out" of his anti-costume shell (baby steps):



Patrick Chan of Canada: For his Short Program, he skated to Paul Desmond's "Take Five". Yes, he's got the white dress shirt (a tuxedo one), a vest and black stretch pants. BUT...at least the lapel notched collar of his black vest has contrast white piping, the tuxedo shirt also has contrast buttons and the pants have "tuxedo" satin banding on the outseam. It's the little details that matter...

For his Free Skate, he skated to "Concierto de Aranjuez", yes, the same fabulous--and moving--music made famous by the one-and-only Michelle Kwan (sorry but EVERY TIME I hear that music all I can think of is Michelle!). The music, as we all know, has a Spanish influence. His costume reflected this. Thank Goodness it wasn't a white shirt, black pants and OH--a red vest!

Nope, Mr. Chan stepped outside his costume comfort zone and went with a drape-y bright red surplice blouson top featuring a band collar and blouson-esque sleeves and (Gasp!), high-waisted pants with red rick-rack trim. Like I said: baby steps. Therefore, he gets some "Nick V. Costumes Points" for that.

My other (Male) Favorite...

Javier Fernandez of Spain: OK, Javier is my new obsession! Me encanta! 20 year old Javier skated his Short Program to "I Love Paris" and "Petit Fleur", and I liked his ensemble. The bright yellow tucked-in cardigan, the old-school natural waist trousers with the suspenders on the outside: he looked like a Euro 1960's boy who would be hanging out in some Parisian cafe sipping red wine--or reading some obscure novel! Oh, and by the way, his skating was soooo good!! (especially in this Short Program).

For his Long Program, he skated to a Medley of Giuseppe Verdi's "La Traviata", "Il Vespi Siciliani", "Nabucco" and "Rigoletto". He wore a purple stretch velvet top with gold buttons with a delicate ruffled cuff and neckline.

To be honest, I wish he would have gone further with the Period Costume Theme, but for him, this "Renaissance Light" version worked for me. My favorite addition to his costume came after his performance during the "Kiss-and-Cry":

Someone in the audience gave him a Mexican Sombrero. And he put it on! PS: Mexico and Spain are different countries with different clothing-and-milliner traditions. But who cares! Javier looked soooo cute!

*Up Next: The Women of Skate Canada 2011