ICE STYLE.....Internationaux de France 2019 SKATING COSTUMES RECAP: ICE DANCE & PAIRS!

Pharaohs, Flashdance, Russian Red--Costumes from Ice Dance and Pairs skaters at the 2019 Internationaux de France (L to R) Madison Chock and Even Bates of USA, Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron of France, and Anastasia Mishina and Aleksandr Galliamov of Russia

Wrapping up my Costumes Recap for the 2019 Internationaux de France/Grand Prix of France, I discussed the LADIES and MEN Costumes HERE, so now it is time for my ICE DANCE and PAIRS RECAP.

Let's begin with ICE DANCE:

Madison Chock and Evan Bates USA Rhythm Dance--For their Rhythm Dance to Too Darn Hot by Cole Porter (original cast recording), Chock and Bates wore these costumes bringing vivid memories of Hollywood icon Ann Miller in "Kiss Me Kate", especially in Madison's fuchsia pink fringed design. I thought it was fun, flashy and an obvious homage to Walter Plunkett's costumes for the 1953 film. I also liked how they tied in the pink in Madison's costume in the pocket hankie in Evan's tuxedo. 

Free Dance to Egyptian Snake Dance: Yearning by Raul Ferrando, Sahara Nights by DJ Quincy Ortiz and Layali Al Sharq performed by Al-Ahram Orchestra--I absolutely LOVED these outstanding costumes that Chock and Bates wore for their "Egyptian Snake Dance". She looked like a high fashion Cleopatra while Evan vibed a very sexy Pharoah/Mummy. These were fashionable looks that took what could have been cheesy Halloween costumes to a much more elevated and fab level. And speaking of fab... 

Snake Charmer Chic--Madison Chock's runway-worthy hairstyle

Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri Italy Rhythm Dance--For their Rhythm Dance to Blues: AJ's Blues (from "Paramour" - Cirque du Soleil) by Guy Dubuc, Marc Lessard; Quickstep: Reel Love AJ's Blues (from "Paramour" - Cirque du Soleil) by Guy Dubuc, Marc Lessard, the Italian Ice Dance team of Guignard and Fabbri wore these classic "Ballroom Dancing"-like designs. Marco wore a white-with-black piping-and-buttons shirt and black pants with sequined suspenders. The ensemble fit him like second-skin and worked well for the dance. Charlene looked ever-so-pretty in this blue dress with rhinestone details. I thought she looked elegant and Art Deco-chic.

Free Dance to Space Oddity by Amanda Palmer Jherez Bischoff, Life on Mars? by Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real--I just LOVED these costumes worn by Italians Guignard and Fabbri for their Free Dance. The "Cosmic Chic" looks were sublime, fashion-forward and on-point with the music. Fabbri's black look included the requisite black pants (with that hateful black belt that I will disregard), and a great mock-neck stretch top with a sequined-and-sheer sleeve. He looked sleek. Charlene was like a Space Odyssey-Paco Rabanne-Courreges Fashion Diva in this ivory look featuring beautiful, sequined spider web-like detail and a slit-front mini skirt. The silver belt and exaggerated eye makeup made it a Costume Home Run for me!

Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizero France Rhythm Dance--Take a big guess what Papadakis and Cizeron skated to for their Rhythm Dance. If you guessed Olivia Newton-John's "Physical"? Nope. But if you guessed "Flashdance"? You get a prize! Yes, this incredible duo skated to Disco: I Can Do Anything Better Than You Can by S. Linzer & D. Wolfert (arrang. by Maxime Rodriguez) from "Fame" by Michael Gore, Dean Pitchsord; Blues: Fame by Michael Gore, Dean Pitchsford (arranged by Maxime Rodriguez and Ludivine Amado); Disco: Fame by Michael Gore, Dean Pitchsford, performed by Irene Cara and it was EVERYTHING!!! Only this fab French Ice Dance pair can pull off 80's leotards, headbands and legwarmers in such a flawless manner that no one, absolutely NO ONE, batted an eyelash! It was fab cheesy, disco-licious and Retro Chic, all at the same time. Oh, and their Rhythm Dance left me in a jazzercise sweat: J'adore!

And just for fun...

An 80's Lycra Jazzercize Ad

Free Dance to Danny and Suspects by Olafur Arnalds and Find Me by Forest Black--Skating to the gorgeous music from the British TV drama "Broadchurch" and a spoken word poem, Papadakis and Cizeron took Ice Dance to yet even more heightened level. Their simple, modern dance-like costumes mirrored the music and choreography beautifully and seamlessly; the sheer vs. solid all-black looks were directional and almost became invisible within their incredible skating.

PAIRS: One Pairs duo to talk about...

Anastasia Mishina and Aleksandr Galliamov Russia Free Skate--This Russian Pairs duo debuted their senior Grand Prix at the 2019 Internationaux de France and wore these great costumes for their Free Skate to The Master and Margarita (soundtrack) by Igor Kornelyuk. While this is a repeat of the music they skated to their Free Skate last season (2018-2019) during their final Junior season (the music is from a Russian TV miniseries) they at least changed their costumes...

Here is what they wore at the World Junior Figure Skating Championships in March 2019 (above photo)  

Similar silhouettes and designs, different colorways...I like the change. The costumes were vibrant, effective and stepped-up (design-wise) now that they are on the Senior competition circuit. 

**That's it for Grand Prix of France 2019....stay tuned for more FAB Figure Skating Costumes here on my ICE STYLE BLOG!