Figure Skating Fashion Minute: Rostelecom Cup/Cup of Russia--The Ladies

Babushka NOT!!!

Last weekend was the Rostelecom Cup/Cup of Russia and yes, naturally I've already discussed The Pairs as well as The Men, so even though I'm a week late, I still feel it was necessary to talk about The Ladies--and more importantly, the costumes I haven't given my "Nick Two Cents" on...So...here we go--The Ladies of the Cup of Russia 2011:

Sofia Biryukova of Russia: Let's begin with the Russian ladies (since it is, after all, The Cup of Russia)--Somehow, Sofia Biryukova, this lovely skater, has "escaped" my "Nick Costume Review". Who knows why? But better late than never. For her Free Skate at the Rostelecom Cup 2011-2012, Sofia skated to Puccini's "Turandot"--an opera about a cold-hearted princess in China and her suitor who falls in love with her. I absolutely LOVE her "Royal Blue" Chinoiserie-inspired costume featuring gold flower-and-leaf applique. The asymmetrical/twisting torso-neckline with its gold binding was superb. This girl ended up Fourth in the overall standings in Moscow, but to me, this was a First-Rate costume.

For her "Seven Years in Tibet" Short Program, Sofia's costume consisted of a very elegant and restrained black illusion, chiffon and stretch satin ensemble. For this music and theme, she could have gone a whole other route with the costume (maybe another version of her Free Skate costume), but she didn't. And I'm glad. This showed stylistic restraint, remained somewhat true to the music and still, got my "High Fashion Nick Points"!

Alena Leonova of Russia: I've discussed Alena's "Pirates of the Caribbean" costume to her Short Program at this season's Grand Prix already but I haven't talked about her Free Skate to "Adagio For Strings" and "Requiem for a Tower" costume. It was quite a number--all black, with caviar-beading detail, applique and sculpted embroidery, as well as an asymmetrical nude illusion front torso neck and back.

It was like "Black Swan: The DIVA Chapter". I also liked this costume. The way the applique "crawls" up her neck is fab and yes, all that different embellishment could have gone a "Wackety-wack" route of too-much trim but it didn't. I think it was smart to keep all of that in the same black color tones.

Haruka Imai of Japan: I've talked about Haruka before during this Grand Prix season, however, I have not talked about her Free Skate costume in particular. She skated to a modern arrangement of "My Fair Lady" in the costume seen above. Now, everyone (and her mother) knows those iconic costumes from that film:

Audrey Hepburn looked REGAL in this ivory and crystal detailed "Going to the Ball" gown as well as...

The black-and-white ensemble above. Haruka Imai's costume of fuchsia with black heavy lace overlay had NOTHING of either of the two iconic Hepburn looks. Maybe that was the point but I just didn't "get it". I would have rather she had worn something that had "hints" of one of those two iconic ensembles from the movie. Otherwise, really, what's the point? What do you guys think?

Amelie Lacoste of Canada: Amelie Lacoste is one skater that somehow also has missed my "Nick Skating Costumes Two Cents". So, let's get to it: for her Free Skate to "The Sea and Sinbad's Ship", "The Story of the Kalender Prince", "The Young Prince and the Princess Festival at Baghdad" --all from "Scheherazade"--she wore a carmine red costume with golden embroidery neckline trim that gave hints of that Mid-Eastern/Orient Queen. Where I had a problem was her haphazard 80's work-out hair. Her costume: Nice. Her hair: Mess.

For her Short Program to "Ojos Negros", she wore a black costume ("Ojos Negros" means Black Eyes, in case you didn't know). In addition to the black color costume base, it also had crystals strewn throughout the neckline, straps and bodice. On a scale of 1-10 for Costume, I would give her a FIVE. This was "I can get this at a Bear Mountain Ski Shop OFF SEASON ON SALE!". We've seen the center front diamante straps before in many many skating costumes, in many many prom dresses, in many tacky beauty pageants...can we get a little more original?

Agnes Zawadszki of the USA: Agnes...how you and your costumes have escaped me? This American skater skated to "Harlem Nocturne" and "Whatever Lola Wants" for the Cup of Russia 2011-2012. Her costume was a lilac and nude illusion look with mini crystals and featuring a five-layer diamante choker. She looked like a Princess in this; kind of like a Lilac Swarovski Crystal Bird. In other words: me LIKEY!

Rachael Flatt of the USA: Finally, I will conclude with another American skater, Rachael Flatt. She skated her Free Skate to Stravinski's "The Firebird" wearing a dynamic and rather show-stopping costume. The lipstick red, gold, and silver ensemble SCREAMED "Firebird" and I especially loved the wrist "Flames/Feather" detail. This is an example of a costume that went perfectly with the music and added to the overall theatricality and presentation of her skate. Too bad she didn't make it higher in terms of overall scores (she was 9th out of ten skaters at Rostelecom Cup).

Figure Skating Fashion Minute: Trophée Eric Bompard 2011--The Ladies!

Vive La France...

Continuing with my Trophee Eric Bompard/Grand Prix of France Season 2011-2012 Costume "Two Cents"...I've discussed The Men, The Ice Dancers, so now, we're onto The Ladies:

Elizaveta Tuktamisheva of Russia: For her Free Skate to "Besame Mucho" and "Caravan", Gold Medalist Elizaveta's costume consisted of a black with silver crystals ensemble that gave the essence of a "mysterious" and slightly elegant woman. Even though...Elizaveta is only FOURTEEN years old, this costume matured her and in a good way. Because of her very young age, she probably should stay away from bright bubblegum pinks or canary yellows and too many diamantes for fear of crossing that "Toddlers & Tiaras" line. This black costume worked for the skate and the music. BTW: She is a little "Jumping Diva" in terms of her performance. She's like the Russian Tara Lipinski!

For her "Tango" Short Program, she wears a red fluttery-sleeved number with silver sequins and beading with a silhouette that's appropriate to her very young age. Brighter in color than her Free Skate costume, adding just the right amount of Latin Fire!

Sonia Lafuente of Spain: Gorgeous Sonia Lafuente got 7th place during her time in France at Trophee Eric Bompard. For her Free Skate, she skated to "Concierto de Aranjuez", which of course, I think of as Michelle Kwan's Music (Love you Michelle!), but nevertheless, it seems to be very popular with EVERYONE and their daughter!

In terms of her costume: you would think as a Spaniard, she would "bring it" with her Madrid-influenced costume, but this ivory stretch lace and crystals re-embroidered number was a bit of a let down. It was sweet, for sure. But, it definitely needed MAS! Her costume looked like a $99.99 special at a "Mountain High" Ice Skating Shop, which is fine, but not for a Grand Prix. At least this season's costume was much more "lady like" compared to last year's Short Program costume:

Tattoo España: if Madrid had a version of the "LA Ink" Tattoo Reality TV Show, Lafuente would be one of the stars--at least in this get-up. Here, she was skating to "The Feeling Begins" by Peter Gabriel (go figure!).

Maé Bérénice Méité of France: Mae placed sixth overall at Trophee Eric Bompard over the weekend. This marks the FIRST time I have discussed Mademoiselle Meite here in my "Figure Skating Costume" postings, so I was excited! How could I not comment on this, her Short Program costume which she skated to "Fever, Jessica's Theme" from "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" and "Hey Pachuco" from "The Mask".

She obviously comes from the Surya Bonaly School of Costuming!!! There's the midriff side-and-back revealing sections, those tacky-licious gloves, the bright pink satin Lycra fabrication with "Bedazzler" crystals, plus is that a "heart" shape hair pin accent?? It's a bit much and I may be wrong but it looks like the skin-revealing sections are not even covered with "nude" illusion or mesh...I think she is treading very closely to that "50% covered up rule" of ladies figure skating costuming.

Yretha Silete of France: Here's another lovely figure skater who somehow has missed my "Nick Figure Skating Costume Two Cents", France's Yretha Silete. For her Free Skate to "Xotica" by Rene Dupere (a Cirque du Soleil composer), she wears a turquoise blue and golden nude costume featuring "leaf"-like applique and oversized beaded front-and-back "necklaces". I actually love the colors of this costume and it's unusual design. She's very much like a "Bird of Paradise Caribbean Queen of Flora-and-Fauna". Also, with the barrettes in her hair, she's giving you a little bit of Josephine Baker. I know that some of you might argue, well what makes hers not "Krazee" as opposed to Mae Berenice Meite's? First off: she's not looking like a HOOCHIE Barbie! And secondly, the costume looks a little more refined and thought out. So, therefore, je l'aime!

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-The Ladies!

The Ice Queens...

Akiko Suzuki of Japan shines with her Short Program Costume, Skate Canada 2011

This past weekend was Skate Canada, the Canadian arm of the 2011-2012 Grand Prix of Figure Skating. I've already given my "Nick V. Two Cents" on the Pairs, the Ice Dancers, the Men (scroll though my "Older Posts" to check those out), so now, it's finally the Ladies turn.

The Top Three: Japan's Akiko Suzuki garnered the Silver, Russia's Elizaveta Tuktamysheva got the Gold, and USA's Ashley Wagner holds her Bronze Medal, Skate Canada 2011

I generally liked most of their costumes--they were appropriate for their programs and had some elements of FASHION, or evening gown red carpet appeal--which, as a designer, is always good to see--as opposed to tackety-tack "Toddlers & Tiaras" madness! (although, I do love me some Figure Skating Costume KRAZEENESS since otherwise, life would be SO boring without it!).

Akiko Suzuki of Japan: I LOVED BOTH Akiko's Short Program and Free Skate costumes. At the top of my post is the photo of her Short Program costume, which she skated to "Hungarian Rhapsody". The silver grey with black diamond-cut and beaded detail was so modern and "Haute Couture"-esque. You could take those details and that top section and make a fabulous floor-length gown out of it. A Ten for me! For her "Die Fledermaus" Free Skate, she wore a soft lilac and ivory look that again, worked for her and the program--and still looked High Fashion and not tacky. Whoever is doing her costumes: bravo!

But Not Bravo was...

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva (say her entire name FIVE times fast!!) of Russia: 15-year-old Elizaveta, skated her Gold Medal-winning Free Skate to a Medley of "Besame Mucho" and "Caravan". She was supposed to give an "air" of Latin-ness with her costume, I assume. It was pretty and the center front torso jeweled beading was OK, but there was just nothing special about it to me. It hit all the points a costume should, but it was fairly predictable and boring (especially compared to Ashley Wagner--keep scrolling). It almost looked recycled from the bygone Soviet Figure Skating Era.

Continuing with the Russian Ladies...

Alena Leonova of Russia: 4th place Leonova skated to Hans Zimmer's "Pirates of Caribbean" for her Short Program as seen in the above photo (of course!). It is not every day one sees a Ladies Figure Skater--in an international competition--wearing leggings as opposed to the typical skirted costume. Therefore, it woke me up! I thought it was fun: the ultra-fitted vest, the worn blouse, the "Pirate" gloves. I just wished she would have somehow worn a mini Pirate hat atop her head! Kidding! Alena is always a figure skater who brings a bit of the wacky to her costumes, lest we forget the now-infamous "The Witches of Eastwick" dingle-berry madness she wore last season (it deserves TWO photos darlings!!):

Alena Leonova of Russia in her "The Witches of Eastwick" costumes from the 2010-2011 Season

Miss Canada:

Cynthia Phaneuf of Canada: The "home town girl" Phaneuf--who incidentally ended up in 7th place--looked gorgeous in her costume. Above, is a photo of her in her Short Program which included "Spanish Guitar", "Bordaco en oro", and "Afternoon at Satie's". She chose a black costume with gold embellishment and corset-like detail. She looked like a Spanish Contessa.

For her "Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini" by Rachmaninov Free Skate, the contrast of the teal and black in her costume was great, as well as the delicate beading throughout the torso and neckline. I also like the plunging-but-not-plunging neckline. Good job all around for Cynthia in terms of her costumes! She has great style and always knows what works for her.

The American Girls:

Rachael Flatt of the USA: Rachael placed tenth overall at Skate Canada 2011. Yes, that was the bottom, however (on a positive side), I really liked her Free Skate "Firebird" costume as well as her "East of Eden" Short Program (above). Both looked expensive, well-made and expertly thought-out.

Ashley Wagner of the USA: Finally, Bronze Medalist at Skate Canada 2011-2012 Ashley Wagner wore one of my favorite costumes so far in this "one-shoulder" black beaded number for her "Black Swan" Free Skate. It was PERFECT! You go Girl!!!

Figure Skating Costumes: The World Figure Skating Championships in Moscow: The Ladies!!

Some Old and Some New...Costumes...that is:

Semi-Smile, Basic Smile, and Big-Ol' Smile: (L to R) Korea's Yu-Na Kim (Silver), Japan's Miki Ando (Gold) and Italy's Carolina Kostner (Bronze), 2011 World Figure Skating Championships

On my previous post, I gave my "Nick Two Cents" on the Mens Costumes of last week's 2011 World Figure Skating Championships, so now of course, we are onto the Ladies. The ultimate Gold Medalist of the Ladies was Japan's Miki Ando...

The Silver, a teary-eyed Yu-Na Kim (who had not competed since last year's World Championships and was "the one to watch") and finally, Bronze went to Italy's Carolina Kostner. Costume-wise there were some same-old same-old for this competition and some new. And speaking of NEW, leave it to Russia's Alena Leonova to shake things up--just a little bit--not on the Costume Front, but the HAIR front. Read on kiddies...

Same Costumes:
Carolina Kostner of Italy:

Roberto Cavalli Muse, Carolina Kostner, stuck to the same costumes she used last year during competitions for both her Short Program and Free Skate. For her Short "Galicia Flamenco" Program, she wore an elegant royal blue with black applique lace detail "one-shoulder" costume. Great color, looks well-made and a nice variation on the "Uh Oh, is she about to do 'Carmen'???" Spanish Sevillana look.

For her long--or Free Skate-- again, she stuck to the same costume she's worn before: An asymmetrically draped-and-shirred "Grecian Goddess" number in light pastels and muted golds.

I love these kinds of costumes since it kind of reminds me of the one I created for Sacha Cohen on the "Thin Ice" Challenge of Project Runway Season 2 almost six years ago. In other words, you ain't gonna hear any criticism here darlings...

Semi-Costume Change: Rachael Flatt of the USA

The lovely Rachael Flatt of the USA wore a deep lipstick red "sweetheart neckline" silver crystals and red sequined "Empire line" costume during her Free Program routine at the 2011 Worlds last week. It looked the same as what she had previously worn before. However...I thought something was different:

And after a bit of photo research, yep, I was right: She added sleeves! Above is what she wore at the Four Continents in Taipei Taiwan as well at the 2010 U.S. Nationals--sans sleeves. I like it either way, although my preference would be without sleeves. She looks FAB in strong vibrant colors that also play with her strong and vibrant blond hair--as well as her skating!

Now onto the Costume Change Ladies:

Mao Asada of Japan:

For the 2011 World Figure Skating Championships, Mao Asada kept her same Free Skate lavender-colored costume which she has worn in previous competitions. However, she has almost always changed her Short Program "Tango" costumes.
Here's a sampling:

ISU Trophee Eric Bompard in France (above) in November 2010, and...

One month later at the Japan Figure Skating Championships, December 2010.

Here's the "new-and-improved" red-and-black costume she wore at the 2011 Worlds last week for her short program. Mao is rather hit-or-miss with her costume choices. Sometimes they veer on looking a little too "Toddlers and Tiaras" and something out of a soccer mom's sewing room. And then, when she tries to go a little "sexy", she still somehow has to put some poufy pom-poms or cheap-looking diamante trim. I like the twist-knots and more directional draping of this costume. At least she gets "Nick Verreos Improvement" points.

Yu-Na Kim:

Yu-Na Kim skipped out last year's entire Grand Prix series, wanting to concentrate instead on last week's 2011 Worlds. She came in a VERY Good Second but was saddened and crying throughout the Medal Ceremony (I just wanted to hug her!). In terms of Costumes, she always picks fabulously designed and very expensive-looking costumes that make her look like a Pro as well as a bit of a Figure Skating Fashionista. Since she hadn't competed in about one year, both her Short and Free Programs Costumes were NEW! (Yeayyy for Yu-Na!).
Let's take a look at last year's compared to the new ones:

Before: Short Program Costume--This chic one shoulder sequined number was very Art Deco and "red carpet" worthy.

Now: Yu-Na is still giving one shoulder but with a "twist".This black stretch velvet with blue and silver sequins is both pretty and modern at the same time.

My favorite part is the side and back and how it all seamlessly works its way around her torso.


Her last Free Skate Costume was this blue ensemble featuring a halter neckline with a crystal sequin halter neckline. Once again, she stuck to elegant, lady-like and never too gaudy, kitschy or over-the-top. Just right, for her and her routine.

Now, she chose a modern serious black and silver sequined costume that was again, almost "figure skating costume" text book perfect. I like the curved sequin detail and I especially like that those sequins look Swarovski-expensive (as opposed to poor Mao Asada's I-just-went-to-Jo-Ann's Fabrics-of Tokyo sequins).

And Now, Onto Miss Hair-Krazee: Alena Leonova of Russia

Oh yes, kids, that's one of my favorite Figure Skaters (in terms of KRAZEE Costumes), Alena Leonova of Russia. First of all, I won't even go into her costumes, because I have talked about that dingleberry monstrosity already which she wears to skate to (appropriately enough) "Polka (Circus)" and "La Strada" for her Short Program. Her hair now is all poufy, curly and very Bette Midler. If she thinks that's a good thing, her Gay Russian Hairdresser(I'm guessing here!) may have ill-advised her.

Here's her hair not too long ago--very "Dorothy Hamill Growing Out". The costume, by the way, has changed if only slightly. It seems that she has had it made in several "color ways" as we can see from above and...

Here, both from the ISU Cup of Russia in November 2010.

And for her Free Skate last week at the 2011 Worlds, Miss Leonova, slicked it all back-- her hair that is. She is such a CHAMELEON! I think she's just growing her hair out and can't think of nothing else to do. But even then, this look is a bit "Tanya Harding after a couple of Vodka Tonics" for my taste.


I still have to defer to this hair above. Keep it simple up top Alena. But go Сумасшедший (crazy) with the Costumes!!! PLEASE????