ICE STYLE.....2015 World Figure Skating Championships Costumes Recap The Men!

The Men of 2015 World Figure Skating Championships

In my last post HERE, I discussed the highlights (and a couple of low ones!) of the costumes from last week's all-important 2015 World Figure Skating Championships which were held in Shanghai China. So now, it's time to talk about the MEN:

Jason Brown of the USA: Jason skated his Short Program to"Juke" by Little Walter. His look was very Jazzy, sassy and rock-and-roll fab! And VERY Jason! He certainly is not a male Figure Skating Costume wallflower. Love the slim great fitting pants, the suspenders and cobalt colored studded sleeve cuff and collar shirt. Oh and if that wasn't enough, there was a silver chain from the belt loop to the pocket. Nothing was left out of this costume in terms of details. For his Free Skate, he did (kind of) a Costume Change--or modification...

Free Skate to "Tristan and Iseult" by Maxime Rodriguez: Jason wore this costume above featuring an off white blouse with dark chocolate brown wrist straps, a one shoulder over-panel piece, dark gray/black pants and dark chocolate brown cummerbund. This was a change from what he had worn before during this season...

Mustard and brown: The pants, boots, cummerbund and wrist strap colors were different. I like the darker costume much better; it looks less "gimmicky" and more adult-like. What do you guys think? 

Javier Fernandez of Spain: First off the (costume) bat: I LOVE me some Javi! He's just DREAMY! OK, now that I have gotten that out of the way...his costumes. I liked both costumes he wore for his

Short Program to "Black Betty" by Ram Jam (top photo) and his Free Skate costume to Ouverture, Acto Laro al Factotum, andTemporale from "Il Barbiere di Seviglia" by Giacchino Rossini (lower photo). If I had to pick a favorite, it would definitely be his Free Skate one; the striped vest fit him perfectly and I especially LOVED the mitering (matching) of the stripes in the back. I didn't have much of a problem with his all black rockin' look for his Short program however...the only I-Don't-Likey part is that belt! I understand that it goes with the whole rock & roll look but...I just don't like seeing belts that look as if they came from "Ross Dress For Less" as part of a so-called costume; I rather see a clean waist look. 

Adam Rippon of the USA: Adam wore these costumes above for his Short Program to "Nyah" by Hans Zimmer and Free Skate to "Piano Concerto No. 1" by Franz Liszt. I like both costumes because they showcase Adam's very lean body and still have enough "costume punch" to work very effectively with his music. I especially LOVE the white shirt and black pants look he wears for his Free Skate. The sequin work on the shirt is spectacular! And Thank goodness there is no tacky Ross Dress For Less belt in sight: I HEART you Adam!

Denis Ten of Kazakhstan: Denis skated his Short Program to Caruso by Lucio Dalla, performed by Joseph Callejia, and Free Skate to Ambush from Ten Sides for Pipa, Sheng, Guitar, Cello and Orchestra (from "New Impossibilties") performed by Yo Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble Vocussion (from "New Impossibilties") by Sandeep Das, Joseph Gramley, Dong-Won Kim, Shane Shanahan, Mark Suter. I think both costumes are perfectly fine on Denis and work with the corresponding music. If I had to choose a favorite, it would be the blue and black free Skate ensemble. that blouse is elegant, mysterious and only "hints" at the Near east and possibly his homeland of Kazakhstan. But part of me (as costume tacky as it is), kind of misses this:

Denis Ten during his Free Skate at the 2014-2015 Trophee Eric Bompard

Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan: Yuzuru wore these costume above for his Short Program to "Ballade No. 1 op. 23 in G minor" by Frederic Chopin and Free Skate to "Phantom of the Opera" by Andrew Lloyd Webber. In the beginning of this 2014-2015 season, I was not a fan of these costumes--especially his Short program one. But, I have to say, that I have warmed up to liking them. Maybe not 110% but let's say 65%. I do like the blouson like sleeve and ombre effect of his Short program costume even though it still seems a bit "on a budget" and not so Figure Skating Haute Couture. And I do appreciate his Free Skate costume and the obscure almost-spray painted look of his top. At least he didn't look like a typical cheesy "Phantom of the Opera". I give Yuzuru--and whoever designed this costume--points for that.

Misha Ge of Uzbekistan: I am a big fan of Misha. I enjoy his skating and do appreciate his sense of costume drama! I have never met him but I have a feeling we would definitely get along! The costumes above are what he wore for his Short Program to "Ave Maria" and Free Skate to "Umbrellas of Cherbourg" (soundtrack) by Michel Legrand. I like BOTH. Let me start with the Free Skate one--it features an ombre dyed top of blue and black with a figure drawn in it. The top also is bedazzled (of course!) but in a good way, emphasizing certain details in the top. I also like his old-school male figure skater high waisted pants. Now, THAT "Ave Maria" costume:

Ave Maria Misha: Thorns, blood, silver crystals, criss-cross straps and jagged "car wash" peplum and sleeve hems...yes, it's A LOT. I get all the references: Jesus on the Cross, perhaps, might be one of them. While this might be controversial in some circles, I like this costume and also enjoy that Misha let his (semi) beard grow for it, while for the Free Skate, he is all clean shaven (see photo before); and also: why do I get this feeling that Jason Brown would LOVE to borrow this for a future skate!!??? It's so him! If he were skating to something "religious"-esque.

Michal Brezina of the Czech Republic: Michal wore this costume for his Free Skate to "The Marriage of Figaro" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Intermezzo (from "Cavalleria Rusticana") by Pietro Mascagn. I think it's a nice costume and a well-thought out complete look. If you're going the traditional costume route, this is a great example.

Alexander Majorov of Sweden: Alexander wore this skeleton-like costume for his Free Skate to Archangel by Thomas J. Bergersen (from "Nero"). I think it's "different" and slightly macabre. While I appreciate the "I'm being different" with the costume, it's just a little X-Ray at a Doctors Office looking...or a little "Day of the Dead".

Alexei Bychenko of Israel: For his Short Program to "La Traviata" by Giuseppe Verdi, Alexei wore this costume above. The entire look is Hollywood Costumes Rental Amateur Hour; there's the pale blue shirt, the faux vest, the neck tie/scarf, the odd ombre dyed sleeves...it's all a bit Cheese-oid Costume. Not a fan of this.

Florent Amodio of France: For his Short Program to "Le Concert" (soundtrack) by Armand Amard, Florent skated in this costume above. The look featured an off-white shirt with a VERY deep plunging neckline held up by thin straps, a black midriff cummerbund and black tight pants. Oh, and yes, black gloves. First off: we all know Florent LOVES a plunging neckline. And he should, he has like .0000012 % body fat and therefore can make use of the very lean chest he's showcasing. Personally, I think it's A LOT of chest showing. And I am even surprised at myself for even saying that. So, in a way: yeah, it's Too Mucheey. Speaking of Too Mucheey, check out his Free Skate costume:

Free Skate to "Blood Diamond" (soundtrack) by James Newton Howard and Lion King - The Lioness Hunt. In case you haven't noticed yet, yes, kids, that's his nipple showing through the dark nude illusion top. While I like the African/Tribal-like details of this costume, it's a bit Cirque Du Soleil-meets-Las Vegas Male Stripper. If I were to chose something positive, it would be that multicolored sequined midriff waist cummerbund.

Chafik Besseghier of France: Chafik wore this costume above for his Short Program to "Heat" and "Clozee Mountain Legend". The look featured a colorful top with "grafitti"-like details on a black v-neck t-shirt, black gloves and black pants. The pants had sequined-embellished patch pockets. I thought this was an "interesting" look--kind of street cool mixed with the necessary sparkle needed for figure skating.

Ivan Righini of Italy: Ivan wore this costume above to his Short program to "Thriller" and "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson. OK, I totally get the Michael Jackson "Billie Jean" reference. But, for some reason, I feel as as that black paillette sequin jacket would look better on Shirley MacLaine or Liza with a Z! 

Nam Nguyen of Canada: Nam Nguyen skated his Free Skate to "La Strada" by Nino Rota in the costume above. I totally see "La Strada" in his costume. So, I give him--and his costume designer--points for that. But, I still feel it seems a bit too "gimmicky" and "Cirque Du Soleil"-like (in not a good way). I am not so sure what would have been better but I have a feeling a very good (directional-thinking) costume designer, might have come up with something!

Takahito Mura of Japan: Takahito skated his Short Program to "Carmen" by Georges Bizet (top photo) and his Free Skate (lower photo) to "Phantom of the Opera" by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Both were a bit "MEH" on the costume scale for me; the "Carmen" one seemed a bit too "Tron"-ish and the "Phantom" one was waaaay too formulaic. I give both a 5.0 out of 10 in terms of a Costume Score.

**NEXT UP: PAIRS and ICE DANCE Costume Highlights of the 20145 World Figure Skating Championships