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!
