Costume Stars on Ice--Senior Women Skaters at the 2023 U.S. Figure Skating Championships San Jose (L to R) Josephine Lee, Bradie Tennell, Isabeau Levito, and Bradie Tennell
This past week was the 2023 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. They were held in San Jose California and I had the pleasure of attending over the weekend, along with my Skating Fan Partner-in-Crime (and hubby) David Paul.
Skating Boys--Nick Verreos and David Paul at the 2023 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, SAP Center San Jose
We both LOVE figure skating and were excited that the Nationals were being held in San Jose--a short flight from our L.A. home so...we had to buy tickets and attend!
Nick Verreos with skating fans (and fans of "Project Runway" and my blog) from South Dakota (L) and Designer/Owner of The Well Dressed Skater (R)--SAP Center San Jose
As we spent many hours in the Arena watching the competitions, I ran into several fans of figure skating and more importantly, my Figure Skating Costumes BLOG here. They all asked if I was going to do a Blog Post so...here we go:
Let's start with some of my faves of Women's Costumes:Isabeau Levito, Free Skate to Dulsea Si Tandra Mea Fiara (My Sweet and Tender Beast) by Catalina Caraus, Eugen Doga--Isabeau took the Gold at the 2023 U.S. Nationals and she was perfection! The costume above is what she wore for her Free Skate. I loved the ombre-shaded blue design which featured a split skirt, and hints of hand-painted feathers, highlighted by gold applique and sequins throughout. The costume was modern, elegant, and looked high-end couture. Short Program to Una Noche Mas by Yasmin Levy--I also loved this Spanish-inspired costume that she wore for her Short Program. As we all know, the whole black and red flamenco diva look is tried and true and is difficult to refresh, but here it was done with delicate style touches. I thought the asymmetrical neckline and hem, nude paneling, and sequined neck were quite chic and "adult" for her but my favorite details were those fluttering red petals that were delicately sewn as if falling on her. Bradie Tennell Short Program to Michigan 7 by Kirill Richter--The music is a haunting piano piece and her costume was perfect for it. I loved the modern, clean lines. When Bradie came out on the ice, the black-and-yellow-ombre-dyed costume made for a stark and very chic contrast to the white ice she was skating on. I thought the silhouette was perfect for her long neck and lean figure.
Free Skate to Selections from The Four Seasons by Vivaldi--For her Free Skate, Bradie wore this very pretty costume featuring blue, lavender, red, and yellow hues with sparkling crystal stones throughout, created by French company
Astraee Couture. I liked how the top had what looked like lightning exploding from the stones and especially appreciated the beautiful sequined back detail.
Amber Glenn Free Skate to Without You by Ursine Vulpine and Annaca--Another favorite costume from the 2023 U.S. Nationals was the one worn by Amber Glenn for her Free Skate. The design was ethereal with its delicately draped merlot red bodice, and grey-blue shaded floaty skirt. The extra details of crystals, front criss-cross straps, and wristband...as well as her braided hairstyle finished the look beautifully.
Short Program to Hit the Road Jack (RayCharles Cover) by 2WEI Featured Artist Bri Bryant--Amber looked HOT in this bodysuit design worn for her Short Program. I loved how modern and rock & roll the look was, especially with the intricate sequined "swirls" and sheer panels. This was almost something I could see in a Versace runway show; she was ready to slay the ice in this design--and with that FIERCE eyeliner and slick ponytail!
Josephine Lee Free Skate to Carmina Burana by Carl Orff--I was blown away by how striking and gorgeous Josephine looked in this red costume from Lisa McKinnon. The design featured a second-skin-fitting bodice and fluttery asymmetrical skirt with STUNNING branch-like crystal applique which seemed to crawl down her torso. Oh, and yes, the open back was great too!
Short Program to Letting Go by Saara Aalto--Another beautiful design from Lisa McKinnon was featured in a look for Josephine's Short Program. I loved the delicate draping, soft lilac color, and sheer sequined illusion panels; it looked couture-like and perfectly gorgeous for the softly lyrical music.
Starr Andrews Short Program to Dancing With The Devil by Demi Lovato--Wearing a Custom
Lisa McKinnon design, Starr commands attention in this fire-red bodysuit with silver sequin details. The design fit her body like a second skin and the crystal applique elongated and highlighted her silhouette as well as making her look like a fiery and devilish STAR out on the ice.
Free Skate to Je Suis Malade--I loved this nude-and-blue colored costume that Starr wore for her Free Skate. Once again
Lisa McKinnon strikes costume gold with this look. The design featured a plunging neckline, sheer sleeves, and STUNNING sequin crystal details throughout the torso. The nude and blue colors were fabulous, all adding to a very high-end-looking design. If you want to pay good money for a skating costume, it should look like this!
Ava Ziegler--I wanted to add Ava Ziegler and both her costumes for her Free Skate (L) and Short Program (R). Both costumes were pretty great but I especially loved the blush-and-silver sequined look worn for her
Short Program to Rebirth by Hi-Finesse, Natacha Atlas. I thought this costume in particular gave me high fashion vibes and looked runway-ready with its blush-pink tone and that incredible "mirrored" jeweled sequin torso.
Elsa Cheng Free Skate to Queen's Gambit Soundtrack--Marking her senior debut at this year's Nationals, Elsa looked lovely in this costume...so much so that it made an impression on me as a spectator in the Arena and therefore, I wanted to briefly talk about it. The blue-shaded costume featured an ombre dye effect--from light at the bodice to darker at the waist and hips, a fluttery skirt, and really beautiful pearl-like crystals throughout. It was both pretty and high-end looking--a definite Senior Women's Costume for a new Senior Woman!
Audrey Shin Free Skate to The Offering, The Giving, and Heroes by Michael W. Smith--One of the prettiest costumes at the Senior Women's Finals at the 2023 U.S. Nationals was this coral and peach design worn by Audry Shin. The costume, designed and created by The Well Dressed Skater featured a sweetheart neckline, nude illusion top-and-arms panels, and delicately gathered bust/torso. The ombre shading was so pretty along with the gorgeous crystal work. Michelle Lee Short Program to The Chronicles of Narnia--Michelle wore this costume--designed by The Well Dressed Skater--for her Short Program, and once again, as a spectator of the event, I made a mental note of how much I liked it! The light lemon yellow and lilac colored costume featured a design silhouette mimicking a corset bodice, a v-neck with gathered inset, short puffy sleeves, and pretty crystal work throughout. There were obvious hints of Period-like costumes about it but also seemed fashionable at the same time.
Gabriella Izzo Free Skate to Elena & Lila by Max Richter, Orlando: Memory is the Seamstress by Max Richter, and November by Mari Samuelsen, Max Richter, Cedric Tour--I liked Gabriella's costume above, which she wore for her Free Skate. The one-shoulder look was created by the French costume house of Astraee Couture. I think they did a wonderful job here, especially with the graphic and geometric-looking designs (and sequins) on the torso, which looked like abstract peacock feathers.
Lastly...I wanted to end with this costume worn by
Alexa Gasparotto--Alexa wore this for her
Free Skate to Family (from Dreamgirls) by Jamie Foxx, Anika Noni Rose, Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, and Keith Robinson. The minute she stepped on the ice, I could not take my eyes off her. The costume, designed by
Juju Designs, was very "Dreamgirls" splashy and sparkly (of course!) with its vibrant blue and ivory colors, beautiful crystals, and fringe skirt trim. The blue airbrushing was cool and so was how effective all that fringe was as she skated. Not sure if she needed that eye makeup along with the costume, but hey, maybe in this instance: "more is more" is the way to go!
UP NEXT: THE MEN!
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