ICE STYLE.....2013 ISU World Figure Skating Championships: PAIRS

Top Three: (left to right) Silver Medal Winners Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany, Gold Medalists Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov of Russia, and Bronze Medalists Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford of Canada in the Pairs Free Skating Program, 2013 ISU World Figure Skating Championships, Budweiser Gardens London, Ontario, Canada.

Figure Skating Costume aficionados, we're on to Part Four of my 2013 ISU World Figure Skating Championships Costume Recap (Read Part One (Men's) HERE, Part Two (Ladies) HERE, and Part Three (Ice Dance) HERE). So, now, it's time for the Pairs...Here are my "Nick Costume Highlights":

Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres of France--James and Cipres compete in the Short Program to "Rhumba d'Amour" and "Safri Duo" wearing these costumes above. I like the richness of Vanessa's fuchsia color and the contrast of Morgan's black look. The crystals strewn throughout both costumes are well-done even if they are two minutes from looking like they're on "Dancing With The Stars", the French version. The highlight here is, of course, Morgans PLUNGING neckline. He is GIVING cleavage!! How do you say "Sexy Hot" en français?

For their Free Skate to "Pearl Harbor" by Hans Zimmer, Morgan is at it again with his deep V neckline. I love Vanessa's blue with silver "necklace" encrusted costume but I am once again, distracted by Monsieur Cipres' cleavage...and in a good way!

Qing Pang and Jian Tong of China--Pang and Tong of China performed their Short Program to "Scott and Fran's Paso Doble" in some of the most intricately divine costumes of the season. The costumes were as intense and fiery as the music. His Toreador costume is sexy, strong, expensive-looking and perfectly theatrical. It was also very traditional in its styling which contrasted her costume. While he went traditional, her Señorita was more abstract, directional with its asymmetrical detailing and mix of fabrications and sequin applique. 

Stacey Kemp and David King of Great Britain--For their Free Skate to "Pomp and Circumstance" by Edward Elgar, Stacey went one-shoulder Grecian Goddess and David went British soldier. I think they actually look a little more like "The Prince" and "Clara" from "The Nutcracker" or like characters from a Disney movie. Nevertheless, I still liked these costumes. I'm a sucker for anything that looks like it is from a Disney film or The Nutcracker.

Alexa Scimeca and Chris Knierim of USA--Alexa and Chris skated their Free Skate to the "Life Is Beautiful" Soundtrack. I'm usually not a fan of the guy-wearing-the-vest look; it gets a little contrived and tired. And here...this holds true. While I like the black and red colors (especially her red and sequined costume), Chris looks like a Blackjack Dealer at The Bellagio Las Vegas in this.

Cheng Peng and Hao Zhang of China-- For their Free Skate to "Poeta" by Vincente Amigo, Peng and Zhang wore these Spain and Flamenco-themed costumes.They were both a bit "cookie-cutter" in terms of anything exciting or earth-shaking, especially with the over-used Spanish theme. However, what did get my attention, was Hao Zhang's braided ponytail. What was that??? Someone please get scissors. Pronto!

Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany--Savchenko and Szolkowy are Costume Divas. For good and bad. However, as much as I try to forget their "Pink Panther" looks of several seasons ago, I cannot (because I think I liked them!). For their Free Skate to "Flamenco Bolero" by Gustavo Montesano, they wore these black with Miro-inspired print costumes.

They debuted these new costumes at the 2013 European Championships in January of this year but Aliona chose to wear black tights as shown above. I like it better without. Now this was a costume change for the two Pairs skaters from earlier in the 2012-2013 Season at Skate Canada 2012...

They wore this above. Needless to say, this was all about a mess. Too distracting and well, too "kooky" abstract and Cirque du Soleil-ish. Thank goodness they were wise enough to make a change, especially for the all-important Worlds.

Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov of Russia--Volosozhar and Trankov skated their Free Skate to "Violin Muse" by Ikuko Kawai I felt these costumes were much more ethereal, exploratory. They were "Modern Fluttery" almost evoking a Nikinsky-like factor.  I loved that his look was especially ultra feminine, considering how UBER masculine he is built.

Congratulations to Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov of Russia for winning the Gold!