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Showing posts with label Ice Style Skate Canada 2017. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ice Style Skate Canada 2017. Show all posts

Wednesday, 1 November 2017

ICE STYLE.....SKATE CANADA International 2017 COSTUMES REVIEW: PAIRS & ICE DANCE

November 01, 2017 0 Comments





Costume Romance: Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada skate their Short Dance at Skate Canada International 2017, Regina Saskatchewan Canada



In my two previous posts on Skate Canada International 2017, I've discussed the LADIES COSTUMES HERE and MEN'S COSTUMES HERE...to finish up my ICE STYLE blogs on this second ISU of Figure Skating Grand Prix event, it's now time for the PAIRS and ICE DANCE COSTUMES RECAP. Let's begin with the...



PAIRS:





Aliona Savchetko and Bruno Massot of Germany: Savchenko and Massot skated their Short Program to Ameksa - Fuego by Taalbi Brothers, edited by Maxime Rodriguez in these costumes and I liked HERS. His, though, was another matter. "Fuego" means fire in Spanish so it makes perfect sense she would be wearing a fire-inspired sequined costume. Aliona's look included a red costume with jagged hem with gold and silver crystals and fire-like embellishment. I could have done without the wrist cuffs (??!!), but overall it was a very striking look. I especially liked the high neck with a sprinkle of gold crystals and the think, criss-cross black belt which brought the look to a very modern level. Bruno's, however, was your typical "Ross Dress For Less" male figure skating partner look. That tacky belt from 1997 was sooooo unnecessary. 











Free Skate to La Terre vue du ciel by Armand Amar, edited by Maxime Rodriguez: For their Free Skate, they made me proud in that Bruno wasn't wearing stuff from his closet and that they both matched and looked LIKE A PAIR (what a novel idea!). Her lilac colored ombre-dyed costume was exquisite, especially the sequin work and that fabulous back! And...(this is something I JUST NOTICED!): She also LOVES a high neck and here it was being featured, of course. Speaking of necks...







Bruno's Nude Illusion Neck-piece: I was a bit perplexed about his nude illusion neck-piece. I wondered why he even needed it and instead, just let him show some actual SKIN (Hello!!!). It was kind of tacky and very noticeable. After closer inspection, I realized that maybe it was an "after thought"--after they made his costume, I bet that stand up collar and small v-neck just kept flopping down and so...they decided to add that nude illusion piece. I wonder.





Cheng Peng and Yang Jin of China: The Chinese Pairs team skated their Short Program to Assassin's Tango (from "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" soundtrack) by John Powell. I thought these were nicely done costumes for both of them. Her red sequined dress was beautiful and looked Haute (LOVED that neckline!) and his Mandarin-collared tuxedo shirt and back pants look was right--for the music and theme. I also appreciated the black buttons on the shirt that picked up the black color of his pants.







Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford of Canada: Duhamel and Radford of Canada skated their Short Program to With Or Without You by U2 performed by April Meservy and these costumes were VERY NICE! They looked like A PAIR and the delicate crystal details were pretty--I especially liked how they were brought onto his shirt. I was just a bit bewildered by the triangular crystals on Meagan's waist. I get that it was probably supposed to be a belt/waistband detail but, it was just oddly placed and the high waist was odd and cut her body in half.









Free Skate to Neutron Star Collision, Samson and Dalilah, and Uprising by Muse: OK, let's start with Meagan: I LOVED this red and silver sequined costume; GORGEOUS. It looked expensive, well-made, fit well and that sequined bodice work was OUT OF CONTROL! Eric's however...yes, another all-black "Nordstrom Rack" Men's Look. Yawn. Why someone couldn't just give this hot and .000002% fat free man a sexy skin-tight top with sequins and a little bit of red (to match hers), is beyond me. Now, if you think Meagan's beautiful costume looks familiar, it's because it is a COSTUME REPEAT (Groundhog's Day!)...







Meagan wore the same costume for their Season 2015-2016 Short Program to Your Song (From "Moulin Rouge!") by Elton John/Performed by Ewan McGregor. I really wonder if these skaters will just do Costume Repeats or maybe they will "Bust out" (like those Beauty Pageant Girls!) with SUPER FAB NEW COSTUMES in time for the Olympics??!! (PLEASE!)










Natalia Zabiiako and Enbert of Russia: Zabiiako and Enbert skated their Short Program to Summer of 42 (soundtrack). The movie--according to Wikipedia--is a "coming-of-age comedy/drama about a summer vacation on Nantucket Island in 1942. These costumes had NOTHING to do with Nantucket...or 1942, for that matter, but I liked them! The lilac colors were pretty and soft and her beautifully draped dress was so refined. I also loved his asymmetrical neckline top with horizontal sequined darts and gathered side. Even though these had NOTHING whatsoever to do with the movie and era...I was still a fan.





Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres of France: Leave it to Vanessa and Morgan to get me excited about Pairs Costumes! They always BRING IT! And this season is no exception. For their Short Program to Make It Rain by Ed Sheeran arranged by Maxime Rodriguez, Vanessa wore this (almost) painted-on silver unitard/bodysuit. The costume had a gorgeously sequined bodice and...SERIOUSLY, it was A SECOND SKIN. She looked AMAZING. Morgan was not left behind--costume-wise--with his matching silver top and gray skin-tight pants. His top was quite nicely designed with the solid/nude illusion panels, side slits, super tight fit, and slim sleeves. I love how the costume designer made BOTH of them SO SUPER SEXY. It's never all about her. Morgan is no Figure Skating Costume Chopped Liver huney!







Free Skate to Say Something (A Great Big World) performed by Christina Aguilera

Sense of Freedom by Maxime Rodriguez: Let's discuss their costumes for their Free Skate. Vanessa wore a bright royal blue "Versace"-like costume featuring strap detail, crystals and overall styling reminiscent of the 90's heydays of Gianni Versace. I could care less if the music or program had NOTHING to do with the Italian designer or 90's Supermodels because I loved her costume! And now, it's time for Morgan...








While I do not complain when I see something SUPER TIGHT and SUPER SEXY on Morgan Cipres (Bonjour Morgan!!), this was a bit of a disjointed mess. I give them points for trying to bring in her royal blue color and strap detail into his look but...this was just odd. And to top it off, his satin lapel-ed vest kept riding up through that "Pirates of the Caribbean"-like belt! I just didn't get it. Dump that vest, dump that belt and just keep that see-through super sexy plunging v-neck top. Add tiny royal blue crystals on it...and call it a COSTUME day! Merci.





ICE DANCE:





Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue of USA: Hubbell and Donohue skated their Short Dance to Samba: Le Serpent by Guem et Zaka; Rhumba: Cuando Calienta El Sol by Tayla Ferro; and Samba: Sambando by Los Ritmos Calientas. I liked the deep violet/purple/lilac colors. Her sexy open side-and-back asymmetrical one-sleeved dress was HOT. I also liked the sequin detail and paillettes at the hem. Even Zach looked great! His v-neck top was sexy and included color and sequin elements taken from her costume. They get a 9/10 in my Costume Book!










Free Skate to Across the Sky - Instrumental by Rag N'Bone Man and Caught Out in the Rain by Beth Hart: For their Free Skate, I liked Madison's dress but Zachary's black-and-white outfit left a lot to be desired. First, her deep gray sequined dress was beautiful, fluid and fashionable. But his...well, it didn't live up to her costume; instead, he looked like a waiter at a restaurant AFTER the restaurant closed! The Lycra jacket was flimsy and the open shirt look was inelegant. STEP IT UP Zachary. You deserve better!





Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker of USA: Hawayek and Baker skated their Free Skate to Liebestraum arranged by Maxime Rodriguez. These lilac-hued costumes were pretty and worked nicely with the program. Her dress had beautiful movement and gathered draping and I liked his deep lilac colored pants that went well with her costume's coloring.









Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Canada: For their Short Dance to Bolero: Tango by Diane Reeves; and Mambo: Do You Only Wanna Dance performed by Julia Daivel Big Band, this Canadian Ice Dance couple went a bit "Carmen Miranda"...at least she did. I get that the themes are Mambo/Samba/Rhumba, etc. and there are so many costume variations on that...but Kaitlyn's sequined flower dress--while beautifully draped--was a bit "Miss Brazil" for me (yes, even ME!). I didn't dislike it, and do think it's kinda gorgeous but (maybe it's just her blond hair/porcelain skin) it looks like a "Latina Costume" on her. Andrew--on the other hand--looked sexy and perfect. The see-through shirt (On Trend!); the SUPER TIGHT tuxedo striped pants (Hello!)...he looked MUY BIEN!









Free Dance to Je suis malade performed by Lara Fabian: For their Free Dance, they wore these looks. She wore a scarlet red cowl-neck slip dress (with an intentionally off-the-shoulder strap). And he wore a blue-gray tuxedo shirt and deep gray pants. If you think you have seen these before, well...maybe: This was the same Free Skate music AND very similar COSTUMES they used back in the 2011-2012 Season (also used in for Exhibition Program in 2011-2012 and 2012-2013). The difference (I think) is that this new costume isn't beaded at the satin cowl front top section (as opposed to the earlier version) and maybe his pants are not as "boot-cut" in the leg. Here are the "earlier costumes":  










2012 ISU Four Continents (left) and 2012 NHK Trophy (right)











Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada: One word: WOEW! I would have put TEN PHOTOS of them and these looks but I didn't want to overwhelm y'all! So, I just added four! In case you missed it: I LOVED these! Canada's Virtue and Moir wore these costumes for their Short Dance to Samba: Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones; Rhumba: Hotel California by The Eagles; and Cha Cha: Oye Como Va by Santana. Tessa's design involved a see-through cheetah print look with fringe and GORGEOUS gold jeweled sequined embellishment. It also featured a very sexy scooped open back. I loved it all! And then, there was Scott: Oh Huney! That sequined black-and-nude top is EVERYTHING! Both looked Samba and Rhumba Fabuloso! (and can we discuss Scott's KABUNKADUNK THIGHS!!!???)










Free Skate to Roxanne and Come What May (from "Moulin Rouge" soundtrack): For their Free Skate, they wore these looks. For Tessa, it was a Cabernet red stretch velvet costume that showcased her fat-free fab figure with a scooped-side and open back. It was very "Azzedine Alaia/late 90's" Fab. And Scott, he donned a super tight mock-neck top and skin-tight pants. Even though the shade of his top didn't even match the shade of pants...and there were no crystals or any Cabernet-matching color on his look...They looked PERFECT. 


Tuesday, 31 October 2017

ICE STYLE.....SKATE CANADA International 2017 COSTUMES REVIEW: MEN

October 31, 2017 0 Comments



The Blue Boy: Jason Brown of USA skating his Free Skate at Skate Canada International 2017, Regina Saskatchewan, Canada



In my last post HERE, I discussed the LADIES of Skate Canada International 2017 and their costumes--and all those COSTUME REPEATS (!). Sooooo...now it is time for the MEN. Thank goodness that they were a bit more Costume savvy than the ladies and did not do COSTUME REPEATS but they did do Music-and-Program Repeats instead. So, at least, somehow, they opted for NEW costumes, Gracias a Dios!







Shoma Uno of Japan: I look forward to what Japan's Shoma Uno will wear each season for his programs since he seems like a skater who cares about his costume and the whole stage presence/artistry of it all. For his Short Program to Winter (from "Four Seasons") by Antonio Vivaldi, he wore this costume above. I loved this costume on him. The Ombré dyed stretch velvet combined with the beautiful beadwork that mimicked ice crystals all combined to create the perfect accent to his stunning skating.







Free Skate to Turandot, Nessun Dorma (from "Turandot") by Giacomo Puccini, performed by Jose Carreras--Shoma Uno wore this costume for his Free Skate. it consisted of black pants (of course!) and an intricately detailed royal blue top. The top was striking and impacting. It featured a "plunging neckline" (demurely covered by nude illusion), and gold sequin applique highlighting his neckline and upper torso. It's obvious Shoma Uno LOVES a FABULOUS top for his skates and this follows this style pattern. In case you were wondering, this program was a REPEAT PROGRAM (The Season of Figure Skating Groundhog's Day!): This "Turandot" program was the same as Season 2015-2016 but THANK GOODNESS, not the same costume. this is what he wore then:






Here is his costume back then. At least, he used a new costume!







Takahito Mura of Japan: Mura skated his Short Program to Zapateado (Flamenco) wearing this black-and-white ensemble. The look had the ubiquitous black pants as well as a very flashy applique lace-like top featuring sleeve ruffles, stand-up collar, crystals and, if that wasn't enough, fringe on the front as well as what looked like sleeve "garter belts". I (kind of) see the Flamenco reference (the lace, the ruffles...the black & white) but it was still kind of a mess. 







Free Skate to The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber--For his Free Skate, Takahito brought back (Groundhog's Day!) his program from the 2014-2015 Season but...it was a different cut of music (well, at least, there's that!) AND this old-but-new program was choreographed by none other than Charlie White! In terms of his costume, he wore this part black/part cabernet red jacket look with heavily studded lapel, a red chest pocket hankie and mismatching black and white gloves. Mura, once again, took it into a Too Mucheey Costume Level. I get the "Phantom" reference, but it was all a bit too kitschy for my taste. But...at least he didn't repeat his costume:








This is what he wore back then...and I kind of wish he would have worn it again! At least it was classier (he did keep the black-and-white gloves though!)











Michal Brezina of Czech Republic: Michal has a new look and he's giving "Hipster Skater" (Oh lordy!) with that annoying top knot. He skated his Short Program to Kodo (Japanese Drums) in this black and white costume featuring a skin-tight top with crystal studded dragon-like motifs. The look worked--he did look like one of the Kodo performers and at least he didn't wear this:








On second thought...that might look HOT on Michal Brezina!









Patrick Chan of Canada: Patrick skated his Short Program to Dust in the Wind by Kansas in this ensemble of black pants and a white-and-black top. According to CBC Sports, Patrick Chan arrived at Skate Canada International after some travel snafus but...his costumes didn't. The three-time world figure skating champion missed last Thursday morning's practice after his flight out of Detroit on Wednesday was delayed. He missed his connection in Toronto, and spent the night there before flying to Regina on Thursday. Well, his costumes might not have arrived and I don't know where he got this, but I liked it! It was sleek, fit him well, and the top was kinda beautiful with that great snow-like detail.







Free Skate to Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen, performed by Jeff Buckley: Once again, not sure if his actual costumes finally arrived and these were those but if not--who cares? I thought this was, again, quite beautiful. I LOVE seeing male figure skaters wear softly draped tops such as these. It might not have been much of a costume--and it would be nice to see maybe some red piping (or a red tuxedo stripe) down the side of the pants--but I appreciated the draping.











Jason Brown of USA: Jason skated his Short Program to The Room Where It Happens (from "Hamilton") by Lin Manuel Miranda. We know that Jason Brown has probably never met a fabulous costume he did not like and from the moment he stepped onto the ice, you KNEW he was skating to "Hamilton": I loved this costume. The sleeveless jacket color, the sharp black buttoned lapels, white ruffled blouse, grey vest, pants...all reflected the era and look of Aaron Burr in "Hamilton" and overall, it was an EXCELLENT costume: 








Leslie Odom Jr. as "Aaron Burr" in Broadway's "Hamilton"







Jason Brown Free Skate to Inner Love by Maxime Rodriguez: For his Free Skate, Brown donned this all blue look consisting of stretch velvet pants and an ombre-shaded skin-tight top featuring an off-center illusion panel accented by sequined embellishment. Once again, I "Heart" Jason for embracing a head-to-toe costume look. I loved the bold color and especially the gorgeous crystal detail on the front of his top. If I had one small critique, it would be the fit of the pants. I'm not sure if it is the weight of the velvet material or just a bit too much ease, but they seem a bit loosey-goosey. I almost wish the entire outfit were one piece. I have a feeling he could pull it off!



**COSTUME EXTRA:



Alexander Samarin of Russia: Samarin skated his Free Skate to La Naissance de Yaha by Saint-Preux, The Unforgiven III by Metallica and House of the Rising Sun performed by Dave Evans wearing this...and why not?? The music was hard rock/metal and his costume reflected this in a kooky costume way. The top had orange colored "fire" accents (??), a nude illusion black scroll-like sleeve (just one) and take a look at that skull belt buckle! I just HAD to add this photo--and costume--to end my Men Costume Blog.



**UP NEXT: The PAIRS and ICE DANCE COSTUMES of Skate Canada International 2017!


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