ICE STYLE.....2016 ISU Grand Prix Finals: Pairs, Ice Dance, Ladies, Men

Costume Divo: Japan's Yuzuru Hanyu during his Free Skate, 2016 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final Marseille

Flip Her: Canada Pairs Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford during their Short Program--2016 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final

This past weekend were the very important 2016 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Finals in Marseille France. In my "Ice Style" blog here, I have written extensively about the 2016 costumes of the Grand Prix series, including Skate America, Skate Canada International, NHK Trophy, etc. Therefore, I have pretty much covered a lot of the Skating Couture for this season.  So for this recap, I just wanted to briefly touch upon some of the costumes in all of the disciplines.

PAIRS-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov Russia Short Program to Glam (Electro Swing Remix) by Dimie Cat: I liked these costumes especially her shimmying silver and gold fringed design. I also appreciated his semi-matching vest.

Tarasova and Morozov Russia Free Skate to Music by John Miles: The music was a bit 80's and so were their costumes so...I guess that's good? They went with a blue and black theme with asymmetrical style lines and minimal silver crystal detail. Not sure how necessary those off-white "sleeves" were. PS: She looks soooo much like Claire Danes!! #JustSaying

Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford Canada Short Program to Killer by Seal: I'm always intrigued when I see a full-on jumpsuit/bodysuit worn in competition. I actually liked this on Meagan and I think it was just right for the music and skate. I also loved how Eric was coordinating with her--costume-wise. 

Duhamel and Radford Canada Free Skate to No, je ne regrette rien performed by Patricia Kaas: I've said this before so I hope it's not news: I thought her costume is two minutes away from looking a bit "Toddlers & Tiaras". I think it's the powder pink and crystal applique work but mainly, I just have a strong abhorrence to a sequined applique neckline detail; it's just so Miss America 1996. 

Yu Xiaoyu and Zhang Hao China Short Program to Eternal Flame by Brand X Music
Fearless by Brand X Music: I loved this blue costumes worn by the Chinese pair. I think she is just ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS and this blue ombre sequined design is very high-end. He also looks great in his chiffon blouson sequined top and deep blue pants ensemble. This is Costume Pair Couture!

ICE DANCE---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ekaterina Bobrova and Dimitri Soloviev Russia Free Dance to Prelude No. 20 by Frederic Chopin, The Four Seasons arranged by Nigel Kennedy: These Ice Dancers from Russia looked modern and chic in this black and white design for their Free Dance. LOVED her one shoulder black costume; so minimalist, directional and right for the music.

Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron France Free Skate to Stillness by Nest, Oddudua by Aldo Lopez Gavilan, Happiness Does Not Wait by Olafur Arnalds: I have discussed these costumes and how much I am a fan. I think she is absolutely ethereal and Runway Chic Goddess and Guillaume...well, thank goodness that shirt is PLUNGING and SLEEVELESS. Tres Bien!

Maia and Alex Shibutani USA Short Dance to Blues: That's Life performed by Frank Sinatra, Hip Hop: That's Life (remix) performed by Frank Sinatra, Jay Z--Excited to see Maia in a jumpsuit and I think she looked GREAT! I loved these costumes on the Shibutanis; they were chic, modern and a fresh costume perspective while skating to Frank Sinatra and Jay Z. 

Shibutani and Shibutani USA Free Dance to Evolution: Mirror In Mirror by Anne Akiko Meyers, Akira Eguchi--These were pretty costumes that worked well with the music. I especially loved Alex's draped chiffon top; it was a perfect complimentary look to Maia's floaty dress.

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir Canada Short Program to Hip Hop: Kiss by Prince, Blues: Five Women by Prince, Blues: Purple Rain by Prince--Prince. Need I say more? Here's another jumpsuit and this time, it's purple and black, sequined applique and giving homage to the iconic Prince ruffled blouse. Her jumpsuit is costume perfection. The thought and detail put into the entire design and especially those side panel cut-outs is commendable. LOVE.

Virtue and Moir Canada Free Dance to Pilgrims on a Long Journey by Coeur de Pirate
Latch (Acoustic) by Sam Smith: This dress on Tessa is one of MY TOP FAVORITE COSTUMES for the 2016 Grand Prix. Figure Skating Season. She looks Runway Chic, divine and fabulously ethereal at the same time. I usually have a problem with the male partner just being oh-so-boring in black (or in this case, navy) but...WHO CARES??? Tessa looks GORGEOUS It's all about HER! (Sorry Scott!). Anyhow...I also want to talk about how this is a COLOR WAY COSTUME CHANGE from what we last saw her wearing in this Free Skate...

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir at Skate Canada International 2016. Here, she wore a putty colored version of the same dress/costume. The one she wore in Marseille at the 2016 ISU Grand Prix Final was a blush/dusty rose color. Which color do YOU guys like better?

Madison Chock and Evan Bates USA Free Dance to Under Pressure by David Bowie, Freddie Mercury--The costumes here were reflective of the music; they were "New Wave"-esque with the sharp line and I liked the delicate jeweled sequin detail as well as the fringe and asymmetric skirt. 

Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue USA Free Dance to I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Bootstrap, Can't Help Falling In Love performed by Ingrid Michaelson, Earned It by Bootstrap: Gorgeous, lyrical and right for the music. Her blue-gray dress was beautiful but the color and length was a bit off for my taste. I liked the delicate pleating and flower sequin detail, especially. However, overall, I thought these could have been lighter and slightly more youthful.

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

Evgenia Medvedeva Russia Short Program to River Flows in You by Lorenzo de Luca
The Winter by Balmorhea--This is a very pretty costume on Evgenia. I liked the play of sequins vs. ombre chiffon fabrication. If there's any critique, it's those darn gloves! She loves her gloves but, I just don't think they are necessary here, and yes, I know they are to protect her from cutting her hands when grabbing her skate blade, but I still don't like them.

Evgenia Medvedeva Russia Free Skate to Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Alexandre Desplat, Piano Lesson with Grandma by Alexandre Desplat: I liked the gray-to-pink ombre coloring and the sequin work of her top. I also liked the length

Elena Radionova Russia Free Skate to Turandot by Giacomo Puccini: Pretty in pink. Elena looked mature and like a "Miss Russia" winner in this; How's that for mixing Pageant and Figure Skating!

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

Javier Fernandez Spain Short Program to Malaguena performed by Paco de Lucia and Placido Domingo: Javier wore this black costume of a stretch jersey long sleeve top, pants and faux leather suspenders for this skate. I liked the modernist look and not-so-obvious "Flamenco"-like costume. It was chic, if that can be said for a man (I think it can!). 

 Patrick Chan Canada Free Sate to A Journey by Eric Radford: For this Free Skate at the 2016 Grand Prix Finals in Marseille, Patrick changed his costume to this Tie Dye top and pants outfit. This was (thankfully) a bit more color than we would ever see from him and a nice change. While, some may argue that it wasn't much of a "costume" per se (it was just a stretch crew neck long sleeve top and pants) but well, it's Patrick Chan kids! I was happy with this, let's just leave it at that. Here's what he wore for this same Free Skate at...

Grand Prix ISU of Figure Skating Cup of China 2016--Which "costume" do you guys like better? The Tie Dye or the gray-and-black one above?

Nathan Chen USA Free Skate to Polovtsian Dances (from "Prince Igor") by Alexander Borodin: Let's give a big Hands Up In The Air for Nathan! FOUR QUADS!! And he got SILVER! In terms of his costume, I really liked this late 19th century Russian Royal look. I liked the bright red and gold top/jacket and the intricacy of the trim and sequin applique. I know this may be such a small detail but I especially liked the emerald green brooch at the center front torso. 

Shoma Uno Japan Short Program to Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra ("Ladies in Lavender" soundtrack) by Nigel Hess--Shoma was definitely in tune with his "Ladies in Lavender" music with this violet/lavender hued costume. While it was a bit 80's in it's stylings, I did appreciate the sequined detail of the shirt, especially.

Yuzuru Hanyu Japan Short Program to Let's Go Crazy by Prince: Yes, it's Prince and yes, it's Yuzuru. And yes, I liked it! Purple, sleek and Glam Fabulous!

Yuzuru Hanyu Japan Free Skate to Hope and Legacy by Joe Hisaishi--I love the multicolored draped and gathered stretch chiffon top. Look at that photo: It looks easy-breezy but that top probably took hundreds of hours to get that way. I love how Yuzuru is comfortable with mixing the feminine and pretty, as well as juxtaposing it with the masculine, while also hinting at an old-school "Vintage" figure skating costume vibe.  

That's it for the 2016 ISU Grand Prix Series! Stay tuned for my Best--and Uh Oh! of the US Nationals and more 2016 Skating Events!