Figure Skating Fashion Minute: Skate America 2011--The Men!

Oh Boy!!!

GRRRRR: Florent Amodio of France vibes "Tony The Tiger" at ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Skate America 2011

Continuing with my "Nick Figure Skating Costumes Two Cents" for this past weekend's ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Skate America 2011/2012, now it's the Men's turn!! The Top Medalists at this year's Skate America were Michal Brezina from the Czech Republic who got the Gold, Belgium's Kevin Van Der Perren received the Silver, and Bronze went to Japan's Takahiko Kozuka. No American got one of the top three spots unfortunately.

Speaking of Americans, 2010 Olympic Champion and 2009/2010 Grand Prix Champion Evan Lysacek from the US was supposed to be at this past weekend's Skate America competition. But then, as a result of the US Figure Skating Association not paying him the fee he was asking for, he decided not to come. Too bad for us, let's hope he gets it all sorted out by the National Championships so we can see a new Vera Wang creation!

The Top Men: Silver Medalist Belgium's Kevin Van der Perren, Gold Medalist Czech Republic's Michal Brezina, Bronze Medalist Japan's Takahiko Kozuka

Now, let's talk costumes: I don't know what's happened in the last few years--maybe it's a "Johnny Weir Phenomena" but...the Men's Costumes are getting GLITZIER and more "Blades of Glory" Fab-u-licious. Well, for most of the boys. There are a still a few men who like to keep it on the "DL" when it comes to their costumes. But, naturally, I am happy when they "QUEEN OUT", as I like to say. Let's see who did and who should've:

Michal Brezina: For his Free Skate, he skated to "The Untouchables". When he first stepped on the ice, I noticed the half-something and half-something else costume. For some reason, his costume was half "Eliot Ness" and the other half "Boy at a Mykonos Dance Club". First, it had a dress shirt with rolled-up sleeve with a sleeve garter and a bias-cut plaid-ish vest (that was the Eliot Ness "detective" side). The other side featured a very short sleeved t-shirt and half of a sexy tank top. Umm, OK... Detective from 9-5, and then sexy dance club Go-Go boy afterward, I guess. I think he should have gone ALL OUT and half of his pants should have been shorty-shorts too! What do you think? KIDDING!

Florent Amodio: France's (by way of Brazil) Florent Amodio skated to a "Latin Medley" for his Free Skate. What a tiger-print leotard with matching tiger-print fingerless gloves, apple-green under shirt collar and black velvet bedazzled pants, have to do with "Latino" is beyond me. But on a "Nick Scale" of "HUUUUNEEEY!!!", he gets a TEN! He looked like a cross between a Gay "Tony The Tiger" and "The Lion King On Ice" skating performer. He takes my Top Costume Honors for "Skate America: Most QUEENED out!".

Richard Dornbush: For his Free Skate, cutie American Richard Dornbush skated to "A Fistful of Dollars" and "Ecstasy of Gold" Medley. I LOVED his Western get-up. It was simple, to-the-point and performance appropriate, all at the same time. I don't know why but all I wanted to do was hit the ice and do some Line Dancin' with him!!! Clearly, his friends did too as they all were in the audience dressed in Western Attire! Too cute!

Kevin Van der Perren: Belgium's Kevin Van der Perren, the resident "HOTTIE" of the group, did not disappoint his fans, in terms of his costume and showing well, how much he works out! He skated his Free Skate to music from "The Man in the Iron Mask". The movie centers around the aging "Three Musketeers" and his costume had those overt suggestions of the movie's period including the "Slashed" sleeve, neckline lacing, the oversized belt buckle, and torso silhouette of a period Jerkin.

But it was TIGHTER than TIGHT--and bedazzled!! So, I guess, this was the "Van der Perren Muscle Musketeer"! Somehow in this, Kevin still looked masculine, strong, and sexy, all at the same time. Another skater might have added TEN feathers and a big Hat but I'm glad "Kevin the Hottie" didn't go there.

Daisuke Murakami: For his Free Skate, Daisuke skated to "Gladiator" by Hans Zimmer. His costume featured lots of faux leather strapping, "Gladiator Gold" accessories and crystals strewn throughout. It looked a little bit like a Halloween costume one buys on Hollywood Blvd--you know, the ones that come in a bag. It seemed a little half-done for me. And the random crystals seemed ill-placed. I would have loved a Total and Complete Gladiator costume and maybe instead of the faux leather straps, make them all be thousands of Swarovski crystals!!

Takahiko Kozuka: One word--BORING! He skated to something called "Fantasia for Nausicca". This costume--if you could called it that--had me nauseous for how underwhelming, un-theatrical and dated it was. It was very Todd Eldredge circa 1992! And what is with that belt? It's like he suddenly realized that he didn't have a costume for his Free Skate so he went to the closest "Ross Dress For Less" near the Arena and picked this up. Takahiko, please try a little bit harder next time---or fire your Costume Designer. Pretty Please?

*Up Next: The Ice Dancers Costumes!!!

Figure Skating Fashion Minute: Skate America 2011--The Ladies !!

Best BEDAZZLED--in the Ladies Short and Free Skate...

Girls Best Friend: Russia's Ksenia Makarova in bubblegum pink "Marilyn Monroe" costume, Skate America 2011 Ladies Free Skate

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2011 Hilton HHonors Skate America begun on Oct 21st at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario California. Skate America is the first of six events of the 2011/2012 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series.

Top Three: Silver Medalist Italy's Carolina Kostner, Gold Medalist USA's Alyssa Czisny, and Bronze Medalist Sweden's Viktoria Helgesson, Skate America 2011

The skaters compete for a global prize money of $180,000 per individual event of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating and the top six of each discipline go on to the Finals. First up: the Ladies. They skated their Short Programs as well as the Free Skate.

I love Figure Skating and Figure Skating Costumes so much that I actually drove all the way to Ontario (only an hour drive from LA "proper") to see the Pairs Final Competition as well as the Ladies Free Skate at Skate America 2011 in the Citizens Business Bank Arena--along with the man who got me into all this figure skatin' stuff--my trusty NIKOLAKI partner, David Paul. Yes, kids, it was a day filled with Figure Skating and bedazzled madness!! That's how I like to spend my Sunday...

So, now let's get to my "Nick Skating Costumes Two Cents" for the Ladies:

Carolina Kostner: I always look forward to what Italy's Carolina Kostner wears. She became a "Skating Fashionista" ever since she enlisted the design expertise of Italian Designer Roberto Cavalli, several Winter Olympics ago. Not sure if the "House of Cavalli" is still designing her costumes but they are still great! For her Short Program, Carolina wore a brightly colored sherbert-y costume featuring a side-gathered "wrap" silhouette and a beaded side panel and sleeve.

Carolina Kostner Ladies Free Skate ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Skate America 2011

For her Free Skate, she skated to Mozart's Concerto No. 77 and I loved this costume much more than her first. It was actually one of my favorites of the competition. It was dramatic, very "Dancing With The Stars" cheeky yet still very beautifully made (especially seeing it up close from my seats at the Arena!).

The bodice and torso with its navy-to-light-blue sequin work was incredible, as you can see from the above photos. In terms of her skating, she actually WON the Free Skate but she ended up in second place overall, and got the Silver. She gets the Gold for Costumes from me.

Ksenia Makarova: My next favorite (secretly my MOST!), was the costume worn by Russia's Ksenia Makarova (I just love saying her name OVER and OVER again!) in her Free Skate. When she first stepped on the ice, I said "She is so 'Madonna Material Girl'!" And yes, I was partially correct: she actually skated to a "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend" medley.

It was a "Mini Me" version of the iconic William Travilla-designed bubblegum pink gown that Marilyn Monroe wore in the film "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes". It was "strapless" (well, of course, with an attached skin-colored illusion netting), had a HUGE statement-making "diamond" necklace as well as bracelets.

Toddlers, Tiaras, and Bows: No detail was left on the sewing and cutting room: not only did the costume feature the side draping of the original gown, but the accompanying pink gloves Ksenia wore also had little bows at the elbows. Was it a little TLC's "Toddlers & Tiaras"? Yes! But did I LOVE it? TOTALLY!

Viktoria Helgesson: Sweden's Figure Skating "Barbie Doll", the gorgeous Viktoria, also skated to the music from "Sunset Blvd: the Musical" which, of course, is based on the legendary Hollywood Movie. I assume she was trying to vibe the "Norma Desmond" character in this black crystal beaded costume with white fur cuffs. Her hair was done up very "50's Hollywood Glamour" but I'm not sure if it worked entirely. Look, I think Viktoria looks gorgeous in anything she puts on, but I actually thought she looked more like a "Sexy Christmas Santa Helper" than Gloria Swanson. Here's a thought for her next Skating Competition Theme: Pan Am. She needs to do 60's Pan Am Airline Stewardess. Like TOMORROW!

Alyssa Czisny: Finally, we have the Gold Medalist USA's Alyssa Czisny. She was certainly the Star of the Weekend, leading the Ladies Short and then taking the BIG prize at the end. I liked her Short Program costume better than her Free Skate. For her short, she wore a beautifully elegant light pink bateau-necked costume that was modern, sleek and oh-so-not Figure Skating tacky-licious.

Loved the bodice/torso completely covered in Swarovski crystals and the simple thin belt, and it also featured a gorgeous beaded see-through back. A WINNER for sure!

On the other hand, I was a bit underwhelmed by what she wore for the Free Skate. She skated to Valse Triste ("Sad Waltz") from Jean Sibelius. And the costume seemed a little sad (maybe that was the point!). The aubergine color didn't really "pop" on the ice and, dare I say it, it might have benefited from some extra "sparkle".

Yes, MORE BEDAZZLING! Well, maybe just a couple more. It didn't look "International Competition Costume" ready enough for me. But it was impeccably made and when you see it up close the delicately draped bodice and beading is stunning. But oh well, what do I know--the beautiful Alyssa won the entire thing; she brought the entire Ontario California audience (me included!) to our feet, bland costume and all. Congrats Alyssa and keep the costumes FAB!! Remember, I'm watching :)

* Up Next: The Men...at Skate America!!!

Nick Verreos Figure Skating Fashion Blog UniversalSports.com: Skate America!

Figure Skating Grand Prix Compare & Contrast...The Costumes

My Ponytail is Kissing the Ice: Canadians Crone and Poirer at Skate America this past weekend

The Grand Prix of Figure Skating continues and now, we're in the good ol' US of A for Skate America. This past weekend--while I was in The Bahamas taking in the fashion at Island of The World Fashion Week 2010, there was lots of skating happening in Portland Oregon--home of well, the newest Winner of Project Runway, the much-maligned Gretchen Jones. I wonder if she went. Doubt it. Too much color and sequins for her taste.

But I digress...At the start of this season's Grand Prix series several of the skaters either re-hashed old costumes or started out with costumes that just weren't quite right. Now that we are in the third Grand Prix city, some have decided to debut their new costumes or completely change their original concept--to good results and well, some to not so good. If you've been following my blog, I'm writing a fun "My Two Cents" fashion blog, giving my commentary on this season's costumes for UniversalSports.com.

Let's take a look at Skate America:

Stylish Ice Dancers David and White, USA

Vogue Magazine, the Figure Skating Issue: I absolutely LOVED Davis and White’s new costumes! They clearly decided they needed something more modern and while that often can translate to boring, these costumes were anything but. The asymmetry in the skirt is perfection and added just the right amount of drama to the simplicity of the top portion. Take note ladies: This is all you need; some beautiful beading and clean, modern lines. It was photo-editorial perfect and on-the-ice perfect.

Figure Skater Kanako Murakami, Japan

Victor (Mask of Zorro) Victoria: I have no idea why Murakami would change from the original half red/half black costume to this new half lavender/half black costume. They are both equally BAD. On a positive note, the plunging neckline works better on her and I must say that it definitely works better in movement than seen here in photographs. But somehow, it still looks like a cheap “Victor/Victoria” remake as opposed to “The Mask of Zorro”.

Figure Skater Rachael Flatt, USA

Grown Up Sequins: At first glance, I thought “why did she even bother switching costumes?” but then I looked closer. Rachael is all about the details and boy does this costume have details: The plunging neckline and DEEP back are perfection for her petite frame and the soft fluttery short on the sides, long in the front skirt was pure genius to make Rachael’s legs look as long as possible. The color is 2 shades lighter than the original which was a great choice and the beading is 1^st rate. Kudos Rachael! Looks like someone’s growing up! And this Design “poppa” is proud.

Now here's a Figure Skating Fashion Tease: Find out what I thought about German Pairs Skaters Savchenko and Szolkowy get-ups (hers mainly!) by clicking HERE!!!!