Figure Skating Fashion Minute: ISU Grand Prix Final 2011-2012--Ice Dancing Costume Changes!

Costume Changin' Ice Dancers...

Backless Cha Cha Queen, or...

Violet Sequined Princess? Canada's Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir and her change of costumes--which one is better? Read on...

The Top Three Ice Dancing Teams: (Left to right) Canada's Virtue and Moir (Silver), Davis and White from the USA (Gold) and Pechalat and Bourzat of France (with their Bronze medals)--ISU Grand Prix Final Pavillon de la Jeunesse Quebec City, Quebec Canada

Alright Figure Skating Fans, we've come (finally) to my last "Figure Skating Fashion Two Cents" posting for last weekend's ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. I'm sure those non-figure skating fans reading my blog were thinking "What Is With All the Figure Skating Fashion posts??" Well, kids I LOVE the sport and LOVE the costumes even more...so there! But you can breathe a sigh of relief: this is the last one--well until the next Figure Skating event (most of the National Championships are next month--in 2012--so get ready for more!!).

Let's get to the Costume Changes for these Two Ice Dancing Teams. I begin with...

Virtue and Moir of Canada: They were the favorites to win--especially on "home turf" at this 2011-2012 Grand Prix Final held in Quebec City. They garnered a very close 2nd place (Scott fell on the Short Program and well, that was "it"). Now, in terms of their costumes, I was very surprised to see a costume change for Tessa.

For their "Hip Hip Chin Chin", "Temptation" and "Mujer Latina" Latin-inspired number, she wore this backless sequined fringed mini "flapper dress" in a gorgeous degrade' pink that went from light to dark. It was GORGEOUS! Love the backless silhouette and that one silver crystal strap. The style was sassy, saucy and very "Miss Republica Dominicana" in its design. Take that style to the floor and huney, you've got a Miss Universe Runner Up...if not the Winner!

This Royal Blue-and-Silver sequined dress above is what she last wore at Trophee Eric Bompard in Paris last month. I liked this then. It was elegant, very "Dancing With The Stars" cookie-cutter Dance Number Fab (and nothing wrong with that). But it did miss the "Hot Latina" edge. And I think the new pink number, brought that. I, for one, was happy for the change. It definitely was a change for the better..or shall I say, for the Sassier! What do you guys think? Pink or Royal Blue: Which do you prefer?

Shibutani Costume Change:

Shibutani and Shibutani of the USA: Brother and sister Ice Dancing team, Alex and Maia Shibutani skated well in Canada at the Grand Prix Final, getting a respectable fifth place overall. I absolute love these two; their skating, their fun enthusiasm, their passionate grasp of the Latin Dance...Speaking of the Latin Dance, for the Short Dance number, there was a Costume Change--well, more like a Costume Improvement. For the Grand Prix Final, Maia's one-shoulder black with "fringed" sequined got a "freshening up": fuchsia hem binding. Compare the "new" costume at the Grand Prix Final above with...

This one here which she wore at the 2011-2012 NHK Trophy in Sapporo Japan in early November. Same costume but without the pink addition. I think this was a good change. I liked the one-shoulder all black number but it did need a "pop" of color. Especially since Alex was also in all-black. Sometimes, the little changes make all the difference--costume-wise.

For their Free Dance, however, they did a full-on Costume Change--both Maia and Alex. This above is what they wore to the last Grand Prix competition in Japan. I LOVED it! They skate to a Big Band Medley including "In The Mood", "Moonlight Serenade" and "Chattanooga Choo Choo". Their outfits were SPOT ON as I said HERE. But they decided to "stir it up":

And completely changed their costumes. Alex ditched his argyle sweater vest ensemble for peach and white collared shirt with suspender look. And Maia went for a multicolored neon orange with purple trim dress with cascading crystal details. Although I love the addition of color, I just don't think it was necessary in this program. They were fine with their original "Free Dance" costumes.

He looks like a Black Jack Dealer and she belongs in the Latin Short Dance. Something seems a bit disjointed--costume-wise. I still LOVE them, though :) Please let me know what you Figure Skating Fans think: Argyle-and-Red Sequin Cute? Or Black Jack Dealer-and-Latina Orange Sassy?

Until Next Time--Lots of Figure Skating Costume Kisses xoxo

Figure Skating Fashion Minute: ISU Grand Prix Final--Pairs and Ice Dancers!!!

Strap Malfunctions, A new Hairdo and some 80's Flashbacks...

Strap On, Strap (almost) Off: China's Zhang and Zhang during their Free Skate, ISU Grand Prix Final Quebec City Quebec Canada

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final ended this past weekend in Quebec City, Quebec Canada. In the previous postings here in my blog, I've discussed the Ladies, the Men, THAT Disco Jumpsuit, so now, I'm "wrapping up" my Costume Review with the couples: the Pairs and Ice Dancers. Throughout this Grand Prix season, I've pretty much covered/discussed most of the Pairs and Ice Dancing costumes. But this weekend we saw some "surprises", including an (almost) new Pairs costume and hairstyle, an (almost) Wardrobe Malfunction and a TIGHTER Charlie White. Let's begin...

Savchenko and Szolkowy of Germany: Aliona Savhenko and Robin Szolkowy won the Gold this past weekend--barely--by .18 points (!) over their Russian counterparts, Volosozhar and Trankov (PS: He's such a Hottie!). Now, in terms of costumes, I thought I noticed something "different" during their Hans Zimmer "Angels and Demons" Short Program: a white with silver-gray sleeve and hem accented dress with torso crystal detailing.

I had remembered Aliona's "Angel" costume being this ivory almost-sheer jumpsuit with a crystal beaded top and flirty attached mini "over-skirt", and to be honest, it wasn't a favorite of mine--it looked two minutes away from a tacky Eurovision Contest! So, naturally, my heart began beating a bit faster with the thought of "Did she do a Costume Change?". But alas, she did not. After about one minute's worth of web research (and my brain working, finally!)...

Chignon Angel: I realized that no, she had already worn this "new" dress-costume to the Rostelecon Cup/Cup of Russia last month, where she "unveiled" it (as seen in the photo above from that Grand Prix). But what she did do different was the way she wore her hair. Usually, during practices, she wears her hair down but ALWAYS in competition, she would pull it back into an elegant chignon.

Shag Ice Queen: But for this last Grand Prix Final in Quebec City, she decided to "show the world" her Dorothy Hamill-esque hairstyle in all its shaggy glory. I think she looked great--she looked like one of the singers from ABBA! Hopefully, we will see more of her this way in competition. What do guys think of Aliona's hair? Down and loose, or slicked-back in a chignon? Let me know in your comments at the end of this post!

Now...An (Almost) Wardrobe Malfunction:

Zhang and Zhang of China: This great Pairs team skated their "Transylvanian Lullaby" Short Program wearing the same costumes they had been wearing throughout the season. I discussed these great costumes back in my Cup of China blog posting HERE and needless to say, I thought hers was a "Red Carpet" stunner--the colors, the Empire silhouette, the contrasting straps. Speaking of straps: as they began skating their Short Program at this Grand Prix Final, something unusual began happening:

Zhang Dan's red sequined strap began slipping off! Now, this is a minute detail but things like this DO NOT happen in figure skating, especially in a world-class competition. These costumes have been tested many, many times, before they ever see the "spotlight" of a Grand Prix event. For Zhang, it proved to be a bit of a problem and distraction since well, it kept slipping (even as her partner would try to pull it back up during their skate). At one point, as she was horizontally in the air during their Throw Triple Twist:

Oh Dear: You could really see the strap slipping off. Luckily, nothing else slipped off but in Figure Skating terms, I guess this would come under a minor "Wardrobe Malfunction" but of course not on the Janet Jackson scale! The strap-slippage did not really affect their skating, but I am sure someone will be shortening that strap! Hopefully the Costume Designer won't be chastised too much!

Now, Grand Prix Final Ice Dancing Costume Minute: Loose or Tight Charlie?

Davis and White of the USA: Now, I've already discussed their J.Lo Cha-Cha Fabuloso costumes in my Rostelecom Cup/Cup of Russia Ice Dancing Costume Review HERE I absolutely LOVE her electric orange fringed-skirt ensemble with the multicolored beading and that modern asymmetrical neckline. I liked his gold and black look too. Together, they looked like the hottest and sexiest couple at a Rio de Janeiro Dancing competition! For this Grand Prix Final, I noticed that Charlie's gold jacquard shirt was TIGHTER! (see photo above) Well, tighter than how it was in Russia:

Cup of Russia Loose: I commented in that post that I would have liked to have seen his shirt tighter/closer to his fat-free torso, and from the looks of it, I think someone was listening (or reading). It might be just that he pulled it more into his pants to smooth it and make it "look tighter" or it might be that they realized a "Sexier, Tighter" Charlie was better for this Short Dance and therefore their seamstress got to work and took in A LOT off the side seams. Who knows? Which one do you prefer: Loose-Shirt Charlie or Tighter Charlie? Let me know!

Finally--1988 Calgary Winter Olympics Costume Flashbacks: The Ice Dancing and Pairs Edition!

Since the Grand Prix Final was in Canada this past weekend (Quebec City, Quebec to be geographically exact), I've been looking back at some of the FAB costumes from the Calgary Winter Olympics in some of my posts (Did you see Brian Orser's??), so I thought it would be fun to do a "Costume Flashbacks" to these Ice Dancing and Pairs Costume Gems of the past:

Wilson and McCall of Canada: 1988 Calgary Olympics Ice Dancing Bronze Medal winners, Tracy Wilson and Rob McCall wore this for their Free Dance at those Calgary Olympics. The costumes are so fabulous I can barely talk! The black stretch Lycra, the colored beaded trim straight out of Jo-Ann's Fabrics, Tracy Wilson's "tutu" skirt WITH Lycra LEGGINGS ensemble...and her red ribbon "Scrunchie"!!! Seriously. Amazing.

And here they are in their Original Dance "Tango" costumes above, also from the 1988 Winter Olympics. So funny that we were at the END of the 80's decade yet, their costumes, hair, everything was SO 80's still. Usually, toward the end of a decade is when we only begin to see what fashion could be defined as for that decade. Rob looked so dapper and elegant in his tuxedo and Tracy's pink and black fringed skirt number pre-cursed the verging-on Tacky-licious "Toodlers & Tiaras" look of say, an Oksana Baiul. Again, check out her SCRUNCHIE!! Love her--and them!

Watson and Oppegard of the USA: The American Pair skaters Jill Watson and Peter Oppegard got the Bronze at the Calgary Olympics. Here they are--above and below--in their Long Program costumes. And kids, these were Gems to say the least.

Ocean blue Lycra (they loved their Lycra back then!) with swirl-shaped contrasting-colored panels with beaded outlines. Jill was quite demure and covered up wearing full sleeves and a high "Lady-like" neckline (I guess nude mesh illusion had not been "discovered" yet!). She looked very "Gymnast"-like in her costume. And Peter:

Oh Peter!!! I am OBSESSED with this look! Even though they skated to classical music, for some reason, he looks as if he's about to do the National Championships of Rodeo in his gold center-front studded jumpsuit with yes, the contrasting-colored swirl-shaped crystal-encrusted panels. It's very "Blades of Glory" I must say! Peter, as you may know, is a World-class coach and is married to Karen Kwan Oppegard. I am happy to say that I know them personally but I have a feeling I might be getting a "No You Didn't!" talking-to from Peter (as Karen will probably be kissing my cheek at the same time!) the next time I see them! Nevertheless, I love this look and hope he still has this costume somewhere in the basement, attic, or his "Secret Closet"!

For a Ice Dancing Video Flashback, Watch Wilson and McCall of Canada and their Free Dance, 1988 World's in Hungary:

*Next Up: Grand Prix Final Ice Dance Costume Changes--Canada's Virtue and Moir and Maia & Alex Shibutani of the USA...

Figure Skating Fashion Minute: ISU Grand Prix Final--The Men!!!

A Sequined Un-tied Ascot, Suspender Mania and a Men's Costume Flashback...

Ooooh GURL: Japan's Yuzuru Hanyu reacts with a Macaulay Culkin "Home Alone" look (he's also kind of well, "queening out" as we say in my circles) after his well-done Free Program skate, Grand Prix Final Quebec City Quebec Canada

Historic Quebec City Quebec, Canada

Continuing with my review of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final Costume Review, it's now time for the Men! I am still not over Carolina Kostner's surprise sequined "Debi Thomas/Cats (thanks Sarah Hughes for that reference!)/Donna Summer unitard-jumpsuit" but...I think I can move on--and talk about my boys.

The Top Three: (Left to right) Silver Medal Winner Daisuke Takahashi of Japan, Gold Medalist Patrick Chan of Canada and Javier Fernandez of Spain with his Silver Medal, Grand Prix Final 2011-2012 Quebec City Quebec Canada

The boys at Quebec City's Grand Prix Final 2011-2012 didn't deliver many Costume Surprises (unlike the Ladies), but there was one notable competitor who did do a "Costume Change" for this Grand Prix Final: Japan's Daisuke Takahashi and I wanted to talk about a "Suspender" Theme as well as well, an Homage to a "Costume Blast From the Past". Let's discuss:

Daisuke Takahashi of Japan: Takahashi skated his Free Skate to "Blues for Klook" , a blues-y/jazzy number by French jazz composer Eddy Louiss. And yes, he "changed" his costume, to the one in the photo above and below:

Everything about it seemed the same as his "old" Free Skate costume for this season: a black shirt-and-pant ensemble (yawn) but then he added an extra somethin'-somethin', a gold-and-black beaded Ascot/un-tied scarf that was stitched to the shirt.

This above (and below) is what he had worn throughout this season's Grand Prix, and notice that there was no gold-and-black added piece! So, this could be considered a "Costume Change"--well at least for the Men! Baby Steps for the Men.

Although it wasn't some extraordinary costume upgrade, I do like the change. His previous costume (above) looked a little amateur and had a "happy hands at home....with a bedazzler" feel to it. The new piece added a bit more excitement to what is basically a black ensemble.

Time for a Grand Prix Men's Costume Theme Minute: Suspenders

Jeremy Abbott of the USA: One of my favorite male figure skaters, Jeremy Abbott, donned a suspenders-and-shirt costume for his Grand Prix 2011-2011 Series Short Program skated to "Sing, Sing, Sing" and "Bei Mir Bistu Shein". LOVE the metallic silver braces (suspenders) and the pin-tucked blue-and-black shirt. The suspenders are really the stars of this costume. But then, there is a "Supporting Star" in his costume...

Are those Spats??? Yes, in fact, they are! Figure Skating Spats. Gotta Luv them! Jeremy, you are my new Costume Obsession. He's so early-20th Century Fashion Fab! Moving on...Another Suspender King was...

Javier Fernandez of Spain: Again, for his Short Program to "I Love Paris" and "Petit Fleur", he wore a white dress shirt, tucked-in mustard yellow "Mr Rodgers" cardigan, dark gray pleated (Pleated!!!) pants, and yes, SUSPENDERS. Abbott and now Fernandez...in Men's Figure Skating Costume Terms...it means a TREND has officially emerged! On a separate note: several TV commentators spoke of his skating--and costume--being reminiscent of his coach's "look".

His coach, in case you didn't know, is Brian Orser (seen above with his "star", Spain's Javier Fernandez at one of the Grand Prix 2011-2012 events' "kiss-and-cry"). Orser was a 1984 and 1988 Olympic Silver Medalist and 1981-88 Canadian national champion. In other words: don't mess with him kids!

Speaking of Brian Orser...Time For a Costume Flashback Homage:

Orser Red: Brian Orser, 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics Free Skate Costume

This was Brian Orser--and his Costume back at the Calgary 1988 Winter Olympics. Orser skated his Long Program/Free Skate to Shostakovich "Ballet Suite No. 5 from The Bolt" and well, let's just say, he "GAVE IT TO YOU!" in terms of costume. The bright red "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" gold-piping epaulets, gold buttons, the gold leafed sash...

The center front lapped zip flared-leg jumpsuit, the matching RED skate covers: Oh Lord, I think I just had a Figure Skating Costume Heart Attack...but in a good way. I miss those "Good Ol' Days" of Men's Figure Skating Costumes. Can I sign a Costume Petition to BRING BACK the Brian Orser Costume Days!!!! Please??

* Up Next: Grand Prix Finals Costumes Wrap-Up--Pairs, Ice Dancers

Figure Skating Costume Minute: Carolina Kostner's Jumpsuits, Designer, Fashion Illustrations!

Jumpsuit Diva:

Original Sketch for Carolina Kostner's Grand Prix 2011-2012 Free Skate Costume, designed by Carolina Kostner for T-SHIRT T-SHOPS®

My Dear NICKVERREOS.COM readers--and Figure Skating Fans (yes, I am talking to you!)-- As you know, the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final for this 2011-2012 season just took place in Canada and therefore, naturally, I began writing my "Nick Two Cents" reviews on the costumes worn--including some old and yes, some new ones!! (Yeayyy!) Now, speaking of my readers: I LOVE them. For many reasons including the fact that they always update me with the BEST information and, of course, I MUST pass it along to everybody.

One-Shoulder Disco: Italy's Carolina Kostner, Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, Quebec City Quebec Canada

As you'll see in the comment section of my previous post on the Ladies' Costumes for the Grand Prix Finals, a very kind reader informed me that it was Miss Carolina Kostner who designed her very own costumes this year. No Roberto Cavalli (that's old news, kids!) or Frida Giannini of Gucci or Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana of Dolce & Gabbana (now THAT I wanna see!). In a design partnership with Italian brand T-SHIRT T-SHOPS®, Carolina Kostner designed her gray and silver degrade jumpsuit using SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS.

Crystal Leg Lift: Italy's Carolina Kostner, during her Gold Medal-winning Free Skate, Grand Prix Final 20122-2012 Quebec City Quebec Canada

Known for fab shirts that use the Swarovski Crystals for embellishment and detail,
T-SHIRT T-SHOPS® began in the Italian town of Assisi but today over 500 high-end boutiques around the world sell the brand, including Rome, Saint Tropez, St. Moritz, Vienna, Berlin, Monaco, Dubai, Moscow, St. Petersburg.

Back View: Sketch of Carolina Kostner's Grand Prix Free Skate Costume, designed by Kostner

Here's a quote from the company's "press release": "T-SHIRT T-SHOPS, an Umbrian clothing brand committed to quality and attention to detail, makes available “Made In Italy” handcrafted passion and skill, and together with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS, transforms Carolina’s ideas into sparkling competition costumes that make the young skater a shining ambassador of Italy all over the world". "...the basic costume for the long program skated to Concerto No. 27 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, outlines the luminous silhouette of a dancer and evokes a starry sky through more than one million of SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS.


ONE MILLION Swarovski crystals!!?? ¡Mamma mia! As my reader also informed me, this is not the first time Carolina has worn a jumpsuit and I have to agree that the one worn in 2008 is more to my liking. But...I still think this 2011-2012 Grand Prix one is Over-the-Top Disco Favoloso!!!

Check out the video below of Carolina Kostner in 2008 with her "first" jumpsuit:

Figure Skating Fashion Minute: ISU Grand Prix Final--The Ladies!!

Outfit Changes aren't just for Miss Universe Contestants, Drag Queens or for Fabulous Brides at their Weddings...Add: Ladies Figure Skaters to the mix!

First: It's 1988 All Over Again...

2011: Eat Your Disco Heart Out Donna Summer--Italy's Carolina Kostner in her brand new (and surprising) Free Skate costume, Grand Prix Final 2011 Quebec City Quebec Canada vs. ...

1988: Debi Thomas at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics---Jumpsuits are BACK!! I think...Read on kids...

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2011-2012 was held over the weekend at the Pavillon de la Jeunesse in gorgeous (I've never been but it looks that way in photos!) and historic Quebec City, Quebec Canada.

For months now, the top figure skaters, pairs and ice dancers in the world competed in the Grand Prix 2011-2012 events including Skate America, Skate Canada, Cup of China, NHK Trophy (Japan), Trophee Eric Bompard (France) and Cup of Russia. The six highest ranking skaters/teams qualified for spots at this Grand Prix Final (it's like "Miss Universe", in beauty pageant terms).

Top Three: (Left to right) Silver Medalist Akiko Suzuki of Japan, Gold Medal Winner Carolina Kostner and Russia's Alena Leonova with her Bronze Medal, Grand Prix Final 2011-2012 Quebec City Quebec Canada

Speaking of Miss Universe and beauty pageants, here's another similarity: sometimes for the Live Telecast Final, a "Miss Venezuela" or "Miss USA" changes her Evening gown (as opposed to the same one she wore for the "Preliminaries" ) therefore "busting out" a new gown, surprising everyone (including fellow competing contestants and of course, pageant fanatics). Well, it seems that some of the top Ladies Figure Skaters did (kind of ) the same thing...and changed their costumes for this Grand Prix Final. To be more precise THREE Ladies--Japan's Akiko Suzuki, Russia's Elizaveta Tuktamysheva and Italy's Carolina Kostner, changed their Free Skate costumes. Let's just get right to it and analyze the changes and if they were for better...or Disco Krazee worse...

First up:

Akiko Suzuki of Japan: Akiko skated to Johann Strauss II's "Die Fledermaus" for her Free Skate. The costume above was her new costume. It was a "strapless" silhouette (I put it in quotes since there was a nude illusion mesh neck piece) in a degrade pink with crystals and sequins strewn throughout the costume in an irregular pattern. The photo below is the costume she had worn before (to the same music) during her NHK Trophy 2011 Free Skate:

A lilac-colored costume featuring a "one-sleeve" look, swirly torso detail and ribbon-like "ties" in her other arm--as well as crystals throughout. I like this costume change. The lilac one wasn't so bad but I admit, I wasn't necessarily a fan of it. The color was a bit "blah" and something about it definitely needed a "Costume Punch".

Akiko Costume Change: Her new Free Skate costume did add that color "punch" yet still retained elegance and a simplicity to the silhouette. What do you guys think? Do you like the old LILAC one or the new degrade pink one above? Make sure to let me know at the end of this post in the "Comments" section--

From Red Hot Latina to Apple Green J. Lo at the Grammys Homage?

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva of Russia: Almost 15-year-old Elizaveta (her birthday is December 17th--Happy Early Birthday Elizaveta!) also changed her Free Skate costume for this weekend's Grand Prix Final 2011-2012. For her Latin-inspired Grand Prix Final Free Program to "Besame Mucho" and "Caravan" , little jumping whippersnapper Elizaveta, wore an apple-green, (I feel uncomfortable even typing this, considering she's FOURTEEN!) sexy costume that had a...

"J.Lo in Versace at the 2000 Grammy Awards" look to it, in terms of the dropped bust torso section. It was also very "Dancing With The Stars" in its daring and colorful style. This new costume was something you would see the female Ice Dancer wear for their Latin "Mambo Rhumba" Short Dance program...

Besides that front dropped bust section, the rest of the costume featured crystals, a flirty little "skirt", LOTS of illusion nude mesh and back "straps". It was a far cry from what she had been wearing throughout this Grand Prix season for the same Free Program:

This red-and-silver sequin number above that was feminine and age-appropriate. But DEFINITELY not J Lo sexy. While I liked the new apple-green costume, I just thought that maybe...just maybe, it might be too "mature and sexy" for little Elizaveta. I didn't have a problem with her original red flutter-sleeved outfit other than yes, it looked a little "young" and well UN-Couture in terms of its styling. I just never realized her "costume advisers" would take it to the extreme and give her Apple Green J LO Sexi-licious! Again, PLEASE let me know what you guys think!!!

Finally, it's Disco Ball Time:

Carolina Kostner of Italy: Always the Figure Skating Costume Fashionista, Miss Carolina Kostner decided to change her Free Skate Grand Prix 2011-2012 costume. But kids, she didn't just change the sleeve, the color or neckline...no! She done GAVE YOU:

1978 Donna Summer Disco Unitard Jumpsuit! And (wait for it), do you know what she skated to? Mozart's "Concerto No. 23". I know! For a minute there, I thought she had changed her music to Sister Sledge's "He's The Greatest Dancer"! Below was her "old" costume for her Grand Prix Free Skate:

I thought the costume above was very pretty, elegant and appropriate for a Mozart soundtrack. But...Kostner--and her team--decided to REALLY change it up and she switched to a one-shoulder, degrade, grey-silver sequined jumpsuit. Now, at first I thought "Oh My!". And then of course, I thought, "Is this really right for Mozart?". And then (as I looked closer), I also realized :

I think she's got Camel-toe: I know, it is so unprofessional of me to even bring this up, but seriously guys, whether her jumpsuit is too tight or too loose, but...she's got CAMEL-TOE! As a Fashion Designer, as a Fan of Figure Skating and Figure Skating Costumes, I like the "I'm going to take it to A WHOLE OTHER LEVEL"--Costume-wise. I am just not sure if this was the right level. It was sort of distracting as she did her Free Program (which won the Gold by the way, so obviously, it did not matter!). All I kept focusing on was THAT Disco Ball degrade Swarovski-crystal jumpsuit. I LOVE the costume changes, but was this the right one? I do give her "Nick Points" for going there though! I always love a Figure Skating Costume Diva!

Finally, let's discuss the originator of the Unitard/Jumpsuit during a World-class Competition:

Presenting Miss Debi Thomas at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics-- Thomas was the first African-American to hold U.S. National titles in ladies' singles figure skating (in 1986 and 1988). And she got the Bronze at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics where she famously brought out THAT black and silver sequined JUMPSUIT!!! It was ESCANDALOSO! (and yes, every Gay in the audience and watching on TV was jumpin' for Costume Joy!). This might have been the last time one saw a jumpsuit in world class competition...until now, with Carolina Kostner.
Here's the Question: Are jumpsuits back for Ladies Figure Skating? And which one do we like better? Carolina's or Debi's? Let me know for sure!!!

*Up Next: MORE Grand Prix 2011 Costume Reviews!!!