Continuing with my ICE STYLE Costumes Recap BLOG on ISU Grand Prix of figure Skating Audi Cup of China 2017, I have talked about the LADIES HERE so now, it is time to discuss THE MEN! Let's begin with USA's Vincent Zhou:

Vincent Zhou of USA: Vincent skated his Short Program to Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol. He wore this lilac-hued shirt and dark lilac/gray skin-tight pants. The shirt featured beautiful crystals throughout but it was the white-shirt underneath that made it slightly too "Casual Friday's" for my taste. 

Free Skate to Moulin Rouge (soundtrack): Zhou wore this red-and-black costume for his "Moulin Rouge" Free Skate. While I appreciated that he (or his costume design team) stepped it up several notches from his short program costume...but he looked a little too much like one of the background dancers of the "Like A Virgin" segment of the film (photo above). But maybe that was the point.

Boyang Jin of China: For his Short Program to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (soundtrack) by Tan Dun, he wore this all black costume that had the detailing of a traditional Chinese robe, but reinterpreted in a modern way. The entire look was slim, sleek and minimal. I LIKEY!


Han Yan of China: Han Yan skated his Short Program to A Thousand Years by Christina Perri in this light gray top and dark gray pants. The top had pretty crystals on the neck, shoulder and sleeves. I liked all that detail up top and I also appreciated how snug his top was. This was a good example of a Costume Look that was similar in its style to Vincent Zhou's but...was done better. Not my favorite color combination, but it was nice none the less.

Free Skate to I'll Take Care Of You performed by Beth Hart, Joe Bonamassa: For his Free Skate, he wore this wine-red dress shirt, black-and-gray vest (with black pants, of course). Overall, it was a nice costume for him. There were sprinkles of silver crystals throughout the vest which added nice sparkle to the costume. Also...I wonder if his new silver-colored hair is part of the look? Very On-trend Millennial.

Kevin Reynolds of Canada: Kevin is kind of known for his costumes. For his Short Program to Moanin' by Art Blakey, however, there was really none--except for a white dress shirt, a bold blue tie, black pants and...OH GOD WHAT IS THAT BELT???!!!! I cannot believe he fell for the dreaded Male Figure Skater Ross Dress For Less 90's Belt Virus!!! I think I owned that belt...in 1994. Please Kevin, give it to Out of the Closet! ASAP!

Free Skate to The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace by Karl Jenkins--For his Free Skate, Kevin was more on his comfortable "Costume Territory" and as a fan of Figure Skating and Figure Skating Costumes...I liked this! I liked all the detail of the jacket--especially those epaulets and gold embroidery. It also fit him quite nice and worked with the music. I know that maybe he looked a teeny bit too much like "The Nutcracker" Prince but hey, I'll take that over a 1994-like Ross Dress For Less belt ANY DAY!

Max Aaron of USA: Max wore this black pants and draped gray knit top to his Bring Him Home and One More Day (from "Les Miserables") by Claude-Michel Schoenberg Short Program. This look was very Max Aaron in it's gray/black colors and sleek costume look. I liked the cowl draped neckline and asymmetrical hem especially. It added a little bit of interest to his costume. I also have to add that the design reminded me of...


Free Skate to The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber: For his Free Skate, he went typical Max Aaron gray-and-black (of course) with this look. It was not very exciting but then again, Aaron is not know for his exciting costumes. The look, however, was a nice departure from what we usually see from skaters doing "The Phantom of the Opera". This off-center closure, heathered gray top with black pants design was like the "Modern Dance" interpretation of the musical.

Javier Fernandez of Spain: Spaniard Javier Fernandez brought back his "Charlie Chaplin" program (as many of the skaters are doing for this Olympic Season) from the 2012-2013 Season. Back then, it was his Free Skate and now, it for his Short Program. And as much as I liked his "Chaplin" costume back then, I am happy that he wore a new costume. For his Short Program to Modern Times (Charlie Chaplin soundtrack), he wore this sleeker-and-sexier Charlie Chaplin look comprised of snug gray pants, a second-skin black stretch velvet jacket and white shirt. The jacket had nice details like sequined trim, satin lapels and a fab flower-like lapel "rosette". It was sharp and fit him well and still had elements of the character he was playing.

And...in case you were wondering...

Free Skate to Man of La Mancha: For his Free Skate, he wore this "Conquistador"-style costume appropriate for the musical. Javier's 15th century-like doublet and shirt had great little details such as the back loops, side sleeve buttons and dramatic stand-up collar. I liked the fact that it was "costume-y" but not too Costume-y (if that makes any sense). On a non-costume note: Let's hope the next time he skates, he does a better job. Go Javi!!!

**UP NEXT: ICE DANCE and PAIRS COSTUMES of Audi Cup of China 2017!!

The third of six ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events/competitions--the Audi Cup of China 2017--occurred this past weekend in Beijing China at the Capital Gymnasium. Since it its Grand Prix of Figure Skating Season, it's also the season I discuss the ICE STYLE--or figure skating costumes of the LADIES, MEN, PAIRS and ICE DANCE.


I've talked about the Rostelecom Cup of Russia 2017 and Skate Canada International 2017 on my BLOG HERE.  So...now it is time to discuss the COSTUMES of Cup of China 2017. I'll start with the LADIES...

Now, I have already discussed the costumes of...

Now--time to discuss skaters' costumes I haven't talked about yet:
Mai Mihara of Japan: For her Short Program to Libertango by Astor Piazzolla, Mai wore this fun "Tango"-inspired costume. The look featured a black stretch lace costume with crystals, red flowers and fringe. It was fun, I really liked the frilly movement and her deep red lipstick added a strong air of Argentine Fabuloso!

Free Program to Gabriel's Oboe (from "The Mission" soundtrack) by Ennio Morricone: This was a BEAUTIFUL costume! Outstanding in it's design, execution, the tie-dye-looking colors...and the silver jeweled sequins were Haute! My favorite part was that top/torso section; it looked luxe and on another Figure Skating Costume Level!

Dabin Choi of South Korea: Dabin skated her Short Program to Papa Can You Hear Me (soundtrack) in this mint-and-white costume. The design featured an ombre-like effect, GORGEOUS turquoise-colored sequins at the Empire/underbust and neckline and flared bell sleeves. The costume was sweet and had slight references to the Hanbok (traditional Korean dress), and still went well with the skate and music (although it was more Barbra Streisand 1960's as opposed to Barbra Streisand Yentil!). I especially loved the attached elastic thumb-strap (right photo above), that was sewn in to keep the sleeves from flailing around. Now, THAT, kids is intelligent costume designing.

Free Skate to Seven Gypsy Melodies and Songs My Mother Taught Me by Antonin Dvorak: This blue and black sequined costume was beautiful and expensive looking. I especially was fond of that open back! This is a design straight out of very high-end red carpet gowns! Whoever designed this: Well done!

Elena Radionova of Russia: Elena skated her Short Program to Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin. In case this sounds familiar, it is! This is the same Short program music she used last season. It worked well for her then so--like SOOOOO MANY skaters are doing this Olympic Season--she's brought it back! But THANK GOODNESS (unlike many other skaters, much to my dismay!), she had a NEW COSTUME (Yeayyy Elena!). I thought this gold and black bugle-beaded fringed number was EVERYTHING! It was so Razzle Dazzle 1920's Flapper Diva: I LOVED IT! In case you're wondering what she wore last year at Cup of China 2016 for this same "Porgy and Bess" Program...



Free Skate to Historia de un amor 2: Another GREAT costume from Russian figure skater Elena Radionova! The sequined design featured an illusion base that extended to her neck and back and STUPENDOUS red and black mini paillettes. I loved how they jutted out individually onto the upper bust and neckline.   

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva of Russia: Elizaveta skated her Short Program to Pisando Flores by Ara Malikian, Gypsy-like music which went well with her gold and black costume. There were slight nods to a fab Gypsy as well as Tango Queen in her fringed design. My favorite part was that neckline and gold applique/embroidery in the front torso.

Free Skate to Erinnerung performed by Efim Jourist Quartett: The music is from a Ukrainian composer, accordionist and bajan player and has an air of Gypsy-meets-Cirque du Soleil quality. And naturally, so did her costume. I liked this costume from far away. Up close, the multicolored tie-dye effect looked a bit childish but far away, the entire design was stage--or shall I say--ice impacting!

Gabrielle Daleman of Canada: Canadian figure skater Gabrielle Daleman skated her Short Program to Habanera (from "Carmen") by George Bizet. Immediately (naturally!) I knew the music and it was refreshing to see that this was NOT your typical "Carmen"; there was no red rose in her hair and no toreador bolero jacket among all the other "Carmen" costume stereotypes. I liked how fresh and modern this red cold-shoulder costume was. Gabrielle was the "Millennial Carmen". 

Free Skate to Gladiator Rhapsody and Now We Are Free (from "Gladiator" soundtrack) by Hans Zimmer--One word: WOW! First, I just loved how strong and powerful this costume look was. Gabrielle was like a SuperWoman Skater in this! The gold sequined applique and red costume had hints of yes,  "Wonder Woman" (the elongated arm cuffs and curved bust-line bustier!) as well as a Gladiator Goddess. I loved the nude illusion neck with sequined edge trim that extended to the back...and THAT MAKEUP: It was EVERYTHING huney! I also really liked her ponytail/braided hairstyle.

Alina Zagitova of Russia: OK, first off: Alina is AMAZING!!!! Every female figure skater needs to watch out! Anyhow...moving on--time to discuss her costumes. For her Short Program to Black Swan, Alina wore this GORGEOUS sequined and tulle design. I absolutely LOVED this costume--the hand-cut ballerina tutu, the silver and black paillettes...the sleeve/arm details...it was Haute Figure Skating COUTURE! This may be her first Senior Grand Prix Season but darlings, someone is spending A LOT of money on her costumes. And very smart to do so. 

Free Skate to Don Quixote by Leon Minkus: Another excellent costume from figure skating phenom Alina Zagitova. She looked like a Prima Ballerina in this absolutely beautiful costume. The ballet theme started with her Short program continued here and reached a zenith in this red and gold sequined design. But I have to say, she skated so incredible that well, she probably could have put on a red and gold garbage bag...and I would have been: OK!