ICE STYLE.....2019 Cup of China FIGURE SKATING COSTUMES RECAP: LADIES & MEN!

Cup of China Costumes--(L to R) Anna Shcherbalova of Russia, Satoko Miyahara of Japan, Elizaveta Tuktamysheva of Russia and Boyang Jin of China--2019 ISU Grand Prix Cup of China Figure Skating

This past weekend was the fourth in a series of competition events for the 2019-2020 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: The 2019 Grand Prix Cup of China. I have been covering the costumes of this 2019-2010 season here on my ICE STYLE blog so now it is time to discuss these. Let's start with the LADIES and MEN of Cup of China 2019...first it's THE LADIES:

Satoko Miyahara Japan Short Program--Skating her Short Program to Yalla, Tabla & Percussion Solo - Egyptian Disco (Buddha Bar edit) by Zwirek, Bashir Abdel Aal, David Visan Wearing this costume, Satoko looked chic, mature and dare I say, kind of sexy! She wore this all-black jumpsuit featuring gorgeous sequin beading, nude illusion, a stunning red, gold, and black statement-making necklace...Satoko was vibing an Egyptian Queen of sorts and I think she did it! I especially loved the sculpted eyeliner; very Cleopatra Chic.

Free Skate to Theme of Schindler's List by John Williams, Prelude in C sharp minor by Sergei Rachmaninov, Hativka (Interlude)--For this Free Skate to "Schindler's List", I really liked this ombre gray costume with delicate beading. I especially liked the ruffles on her sleeve and wrist volant details. She looked like a sublimely beautiful water creature. The sequin crystals displayed on the shoulder, part of the top and sleeve, were quite beautiful in their placement.  

You Young South Korea Free Skate--For her Free Skate to You Must Love Me (from "Evita") by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice, performed by Madonna; Buenos Aires (from "Evita") by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice, performed by Madonna and Don't Cry For Me, Argentina (from "Evita") by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice, performed by Madonna You wore this beautiful blue sequined costume. This was a gorgeous design, especially in the crystal sequined detail going heavy-to-light from the neck down. I also loved the shoulder/arm sequins...

I am guessing (I am very much-reaching here) the inspiration was possibly Evita Peron's blue gown (top photo) with a little bit of Madonna's "Evita", but I still am a little unsure about how truly "Evita" this look was, to be honest. Let me sum up: I liked this costume...not sure how "Evita" it was.  
  

Elizaveta Tutktamysheva Russia Free Skate--For her Free Skate to You Don't Love Me by Caro Emerald; Petite Fleur by The Hot Sardines and Cat Groove by Parov Stelar, Elizaveta wore this black and gold sequined costume. I liked the design and sequined applique. The neckline detail was gorgeous and I also liked the dangling strips forming the "skirt". 

Anna Shcherbakova Russia Short Program--For her Short Program to The Girl with the Plums (from “The Perfume” soundtrack); Meeting Laura (from “The Perfume” soundtrack); Laura's Murder (from “The Perfume” soundtrack), Anna wore this costume. I liked the aquatic-like nature of the front detail, especially, with the mixture of sequins, sheer ruffles, and gray, blue colors. I also loved the back details, especially those red "petals". This was a pretty costume for sure.

Free Skate to Six Gnossiennes: Gnossienne No.1 by Eric Satie, performed by Roland Pontinen
The Firebird by Igor Stravinski--Love this costume--I discussed it HERE in my Skate America 2019 BLOG-- and especially the halfway-through-the-skate costume change: From pretty blue to vibrant fiery "Firebird" red. 

Congrats to the LADIES Cup of China 2019 Medalists!!

And now, time for the MEN:

Matteo Rizzo Italy Free Skate--Matteo skated his Free Skate to Galicia Flamenca by Gino D'Auri. He was very Flamenco Hot with this costume featuring a maroon red ruffled shirt, super fitted black vest, and super-tight black pants. I liked it all. I especially liked the ruffled shirt and sequined vest. Matteo looked like a sexy/hot dancer at a Madrid flamenco dinner show.

Yan Han China Short Program--For his Short Program to A Thousand Years by Christina Perri, Yan Han wore this white shirt and black pants. On a quick glance, it might have seemed like a "costume yawn" but it was slightly interesting. The shirt had interesting draping at the front top section, adding interest. And on a good note, the black pants did not have that tacky "Ross Dress For Less" belt all these men love to wear. So...for me, it was good. 

Free Skate to La La Land (soundtrack) by Justin Hurwitz--For his Free Skate to "La La Land", Yan Han wore a look inspired by Ryan Gosling's character in the movie. It was relaxed/retro and jazz-adjacent. He wore a navy blue shirt, untucked, with black pants. I get the look but I just wished there was some "figure skating stage" factor...like maybe one or two sequins??? Somewhere? Anywhere? 

Boyang Jin China Short Program--For his Short Program to First Light by Spencer Johnes, Rob Gardner, Boyang Jin wore this ombre dyed ivory/cream draped shirt and purple pants. I liked the combination and loved the draped detail of his top. 

Free Skate to The Path of Silence, Yellow Moon--Boyang Jin skated his Free Skate wearing a sequined feather-like navy colored top with midnight blue-colored pants. I thought this was a beautiful top especially in the applique details showing tie-dye-looking leaf-like and tree limb designs...and the sequins looked like a night sky for sure. This was a nice costume.

**UP NEXT: The ICE DANCE and PAIRS COSTUMES RECAP from the 2019 Cup of China!