ICE STYLE.....ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Finals 2015--LADIES and MEN!

Men and Ladies Costumes: Costumes Highlights of the 2015/2016 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Finals Barcelona

In my last ICE STYLE post HERE, I talked about the PAIRS and ICE DANCE Costumes Highlights of the 2015/2016 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Finals which occurred a couple of weekend's ago in Barcelona Spain. Now, it's time for the LADIES and MEN.

LADIES--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mao Asada Japan: For her Short Program to Bei mir bist du schoen, a famous Yiddish song from a Yiddish musical, her costume was a fuchsia pink number with silver diamante crystals with pink trim sewn in flower-like patterns. It also featured long sleeves and an open back. This was quite feminine and pretty. It wasn't ground breaking in its design, but the color was impacting and the high neck and open back made for a striking image.

Free Skate to Madame Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini: I liked this for the most part. The ombre-like shading of the delicate lilac color, the obi-like cummerbund at the waist...there were details I appreciated. It just seemed to lack Costume DRAMA, which I expect especially with such a dramatic musical backdrop. And the proportion of the sleeves are a bit overwhelming. I would, at the very least, shorten the sleeves by a few inches. But overall, she looked beautiful.

Satoko Miyahara Japan: Satoko Miyahara skated her Short Program to Firedance from "Riverdance" by Bill Whelan and was very "Carmen"-like in this red with black netting trim costume. The design also had scrolling applique and sequins. I wasn't a fan of this. For some reason, it didn't look polished or expensive enough. I did like the hints of black contrast and the red rose in her chignon hairstyle but besides this, it was just not that interesting of a design.

Free Skate to Un Sospiro by Franz Liszt: Miyahara wore this fuchsia pink costume featuring silver and multicolored diamantes and a scroll-like front bustier design. The skirt had tiers in an ombre-like pink coloration. The look was pretty and very starting-out ballerina. Nothing spectacular about this. She looked like she was part of the Junior Skating group. I'm sure it must be difficult to make her look sophisticated since she is all but a mere 17-years old. But I do appreciate the beautifully tiered skirt!

Evgenia Medvedeva Russia: For her Short Program to Melodies of the White Nights (soundtrack) by Isaak Schwarz, Evgenia wore this marsala/wine-colored costume with small sequined crystals. The costume was very Figure Skating 101 in its design and I wished for something a little more extraordinary.

Free Skate to "Music from W.E. Soundtrack" by Abel Korzeniowski (Right): Here, Evgenia gave me what I was asking for. I liked this blue sequined costume. She looked liked Wallis Simpson in this costume, or at least vibed her look, even with her pale skin and dark hairstyle.

Elena Radionova Russia: For her Free Skate to "Titanic" (soundtrack) by James Horner to this costume above. The costume was trying to give hints of a turn-of-the-century look worn by actress Kate Winslet when she played Rose DeWitt Bukater. Elena's costume was lilac colored based with a pink/red waist sash and sequins throughout the top section. This was half Adolescent Figure Skating Costume and half-Professional; it seemed a tad bit too "youngish"-looking but I get that Elena is, after all, only 16 years old. But still, I wish her costume here showed slight maturity.

Ashley Wagner USA: For her Free Skate to Diamonds (from "Moulin Rouge" soundtrack), One Day I'll Fly Away (from "Moulin Rouge" soundtrack), The Show Must Go On (from "Moulin Rouge" soundtrack, she wore this costume above. I really liked this white with gold sequin applique design. I especially adore the "necklace". While it was the same Free Skate as last season, Ashley completely changed up her look. The costume was more "Bollywood" Diva and less "Nicole Kidman Moulin Rouge" and I loved that.

Gracie Gold USA: For her Short Program to El Choclo by Angel Villoldo, Gracie wore this chic black and red costume featuring a nude illusion open back, red and silver crystals. It was very Moderno Tango Couture. She said that this costume is like a "Louboutin" shoe...since it's got the pop of red from underneath. #LoveIt

MEN-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yuzuru Hanyu Japan: For his Short Program to the same music he skated to last season, Ballade No. 1 op. 23 in G minor by Frederic Chopin, Yuzuru wore this costume above. It was a slight change (very slight) from what he wore last season to the same music. The cummerbund is copper as opposed to the original black and the top/blouse is a more subtle ombre shading and features panels (on the midriff side and sleeves) of gold.  I liked this.

Patrick Chan Canada: For his Short Program to Mack the Knife performed by Michael Buble, Canada's Patrick Chan wore this "contemporary"-looking costume comprised of a white dress shirt, v-neck sweater and gray trousers. The look is not much of a costume but it worked with the Michael Buble music. I'm usually not a fan of a non-costume costume but I'll give Patrick a pass...this time. But, he still should have put on a belt. That I won't forgive him; he looks "undone". And if he ever does put on a belt, I hope he makes sure that it is a nice non-Ross Dress-For-Less one.

Daisuke Murakami Japan: For his Short Program to Bring Him Home performed by Josh Groban from "Les Miserables", Daisuke wore this draped neck creme "blouse" with black pants costume. He accessorized it with mustard colored gloves and thin brown belts. It was a very cleaned-up Jean Valjean.

Shoma Uno Japan: For his Short Program to Legends by Sacred Spirits, Japan's Shoma Uno wore this black, gray and silver sequined costume. I liked the unusual embellishments on the top and how it blended seamlessly (almost) with the sold black pants.

Free Skate to Turandot by Giacomo Puccini performed by Vanessa Mae and Nessun Dorma by Giacomo Puccini performed by Paul Potts: Shoma Uno's costume featured an ombre yellow and olive green top with gathered neck as well as a sequined embellished velvet vest. The colors blended nicely and gave hints of the Puccini "Turandot" opera and its Central Asian/Persian story theme.

Javier Fernandez Spain: For his Short Program to Malaguena performed by Paco de Lucia and Placido Domingo, Javier wore this costume above...and I liked it! I though he looked sexy (Hola!!), sharp and very much like a Fab Toreador! The almost blood-red color of his satin blouse was strong and impacting and his velvet and sequin satin shawl collared vest was MUY BUENO!