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ROYAL COUTURE.....The Royal Fashion of King Charles III Coronation

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ROYAL COUTURE.....The Royal Fashion of King Charles III Coronation

Queen Style--(L to R) Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Queen Rania of Jordan, Queen Letizia, and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands

Let's begin with Queen Camilla:
Queen Camilla wore a stunning and very intricate coat and dress from British fashion designer Bruce Oldfield. The white gown and coat featured gold embroidered details with flower motifs such as forget-me-nots. The dress is made of peau de soie silk. The fabric was created by Suffolk fabrics manufacturer Stephen Walters, especially for the occasion.

The design seems to be paying homage to the Norman Hartnell coronation gown worn by... 
Queen Elizabeth...in its color and gold and silver embroidery, as well as flower motifs.

Bruce Oldfield has been a go-to designer for Camilla and was also one of Princess Diana's favorites, He has said that "I gave Diana her glamour, and Camilla her confidence".

Now...Kate Princess of Wales:
Kate wore an ivory silk crepe with silver bullion gown from Alexander McQueen. The dress also featured embroidery of the floral emblems of Great Britain including rose, thistle, daffodil, and shamrock. One barely got glimpses of the entire gown since for most of the time, she wore the satin cape over it. Her beautiful floral headpiece was a collaboration between milliner Jess Collett and Alexander McQueen featuring silver bullion, crystal, and silver threadwork leaf embroidery.

Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte--Princess Charlotte wore an ivory caped dress from Alexander McQueen, with embroidery detail matching her mother Kate's dress.  

Sophie Duchess of Edinburgh with Lady Louise Windsor--Sophie wore an ivory dress from Suzannah London that featured meadow floral work inspired by ceramic artist Rachel Dein, and a pleated "cape" back. Her daughter, Louise's silk floral dress was also from Suzannah London.

Princess Beatrice--Beatrice wore a raspberry-colored dress from Beulah London. The dress featured puffy sleeves, a belted waist, and flared skirt.

Zara Tindall, Daughter of Princess Anne--wore a simple and elegant blue coat dress from Laura Green.

Pippa Middleton, sister to Kate, Princess of Wales--Pippa wore a lemon yellow coat dress from British fashion designer Claire Mischevani. 

The Royal Guests:
King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain--Queen Letizia wore a bubblegum pink Carolina Herrera suit featuring a fitted jacket with pleated peplum, a fitted midi skirt, and matching purse, gloves, and slingback heels.

King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands--Queen Maxima is wearing an ivory dress from Jan Taminiau, a favorite Dutch designer of hers. The dress had web-like applique at the neckline and shoulders, long sleeves, and flared skirt, finished with a rope-like belt.

King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan--Queen Rania is wearing Tamara Ralph Couture lemon yellow dress featuring an off-the-shoulder "bow"-like detail, body-con shape, and midi length.

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium--Queen Mathilde wore a Princess seamed pink dress with an attached cape. She accessorized it with a Philip Treacy hat, pink gloves, clutch, and pumps.

Crown Princess Victoria and King Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden--Crown Princess Victoria wore this royal blue sheath dress, featuring a belted waist, 3/4 sleeves, and that very popular midi length.

Crown Prince Frederick and Princess Mary of Denmark--Princess Mary is wearing a deep royal purple wool crepe georgette coat dress from Danish designer Soeren Le Schmidt. Originally this dress was designed for another event that did not happen due to COVID-19, but now, she got to wear it.

Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Mette-Marit of Sweden--Princess Mette-Marit is wearing a light pink dress from Norway-born LA-based designer Peter Dundas. The elegant dress featured a fitted silhouette, bow detail at the shoulder, belted waist, and yes, that midi length. 

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco--Princess Charlene wore a nude-colored suit featuring a double-breasted jacket and matching skirt, and a dramatic draped side shawl.

Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg--The Grand Duchess wore a navy pantsuit ensemble featuring a sleeveless jacket with draped detail and tuxedo pants. 

Queen Anne-Marie, Crown Prince Pavlos, and Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece--Marie-Chantal is wearing a classic pale blue dress from Greek Designer Mary Katrantzou. The classic style dress had a draped bow shoulder detail, belted waist, and midi length, of course.

Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamal Al Thani and his wife Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhain Al-Thani--The Sheikha is looking elegant and regal in this traditional robe over a silver embroidered gown.

King Jigme and Queen Jetsun of Bhutan--Wearing traditional Bhutan ensembles, the King and Queen of Bhutan always look fabulous, representing their country and the traditional textiles of their nation.

Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko of Japan--While the Crown Prince is in a formal tuxedo, Princess Kiko is wearing a beautiful Japanese kimono with Geta-style shoes.

U.S. First Lady Jill Biden and Granddaughter Finnegan--Finnegan Biden is wearing a pale yellow caped dress from NY-based brand Markarian by Alexandra O'Neill, and First Lady Jill Biden wearing a chic fitted blue Ralph Lauren suit. Commentators pointed out that their colors matched that of the Ukranian flag.

Diva Fashion Mention:
...goes to South African soprano Pretty Yende. Yende wore a custom canary yellow gown from Paris Haute Couture designer Stephane Rolland. The gown featured 8 meters of silk crepe, 5 meters of gazar, and organza and it took 180 hours to create by 3 seamstresses, in only ten days.

The "Stole The Show" Mention:
...goes to Penny Mordaunt. While her "day Job" is Leader of the House of Commons, she was the first woman to ever present the Jeweled Sword of Offering to a British Monarch. Her teal caped dress was designed by Safiyaa and featured a fern motif embroidery of the Privy Council done by Atelier Hand & Lock. Her headdress was by Jane Taylor London. While watching the coronation, she was so much part of it, as she stood there...for HOURS...holding that sword...while looking STYLISHLY PERFECT! Brava!

Happy Coronation Day!
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ICE STYLE.....2023 U.S. Figure Skating Championships COSTUMES: ICE DANCE

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ICE STYLE.....2023 U.S. Figure Skating Championships COSTUMES: ICE DANCE

 ICE DANCE STYLE--Madison Chock and Evan Bates--2023 U.S. Figure Skating Championships SAP Center San Jose

For my final ICE STYLE Installment of the 2023 U.S. Figure Skating Championships Costumes, It is time to discuss the always fun ICE DANCE costumes! And in case you missed the WOMEN'S RECAP, click HERE--For the MEN, click HERE, and for the PAIRS, click HERE! 
Now...time for ICE DANCE!

Madison Chock and Evan Bates Rhythm Dance to Let's Dance by David Bowie--Time to Samba! That's the fabulous inspiration for the Rhythm Dance and especially for Madison's fringe-a-licious costume! Designed and created by "Feeling" by Mathieu Caron, her colorful, sexy costume is a sequined delight featuring a rainbow of colors, fishtail hem, crystal fringe, and a see-thru barely-there fit that would make Cher blush (maybe!). It was everything a costume for a Samba rendition of "Let's Dance" should be! Oh, I almost forgot to say: Evan was fine in his super-fitted blue outfit with a plunging neckline shirt. But seriously: Madison WOW!

Free Dance to Souffrance by Orange Blossom, Les Tectoniques by Jorane--For their Free Dance, Chock and Bates wore these looks above, also from Feeling by Mathieu Caron. Once again, Madison is the Costumed Star, here in this psychedelic printed fishtail hemmed dress (she loves a fishtail!) done in yellow, brown, red, purple, and black. The stretch chiffon number fit Madison's body perfectly and made her look like a high-fashion phoenix rising from the Ice Dance ashes! Poor Evan remains in the costume background but at least, I appreciated how hints of her "swirly" print were put on his top in blue.

Caroline Green and Michael Parsons Free Dance to Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin--For such a sweeping very iconic American song, Green and Parsons wore these "old time-y"-looking costumes. They were nice though--I loved Caroline's vibrant bubblegum pink sequined number, which was pretty, and with her hair, she looked like a 1920s Silent Movie Star. Michael was her leading man wearing a white dress shirt, suspenders, and supertight plaid pants. PS: I LOVED how super tight those pants were. Just saying. Thank you, Michael ;)

Rhythm Dance to Vocalizado by Alessandro Oliviato, Historia De Un Amor by Cesaria, and Boutique by Watazu--For their Samba Rhythm Dance, Michael was sharp and sexy in an all-black design which featured a top with "striped" detail and plunging neckline with a nude panel (He could do without the panel but I am sure it is needed so the look stays "plunging"). I really liked Caroline's purple dress which had a one-shoulder-like silhouette, draped front, front fluttery panel, nude insets, and gold sequined accents. It was Bollywood-esque in its design and details--but without the sari!

Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko Rhythm Dance to Kind Of Latin Rhythm by The Juju Orchestra, (Where do I begin) Love Story by Shirley Bassey - Something Else (remastered), Samba by Gloria Estefan - BRAZIL305--While Anthony wore a black shirt and black pants (yawn), Christina was the Costume Star here in a shimmery golden dress with an asymmetrical fishtail hem, silver sequins and lots of skin showing. From afar, it had hints of one of those sexy Versace chainmail dresses: I likey!

Free Dance to Rainy Streets (Backbone soundtrack) by Danshin & Arooj, Public Disquiet (Backbone soundtrack) by Danshin & Arooj, Summertime (from Porgy and Bess) by George Gershwin, perf. by Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald, Summertime by 101 Strings Orchestra--I loved these all-black costumes worn by Carreira and Ponomarenko. It's very difficult to do all black with fashion and costumes because all the details get lost. The way to do it well is to use various shades and especially use different textures. I really liked her costume with the one-shoulder draping and see-through-like corset with sequined "boning/seaming" detail. She looked like a movie star from the "Old Hollywood" golden years in this design by "Feeling" by Mathieu Caron. Once again, Anthony's look seemed like an afterthought but at least this time, he was given some delicate studded details in his collar and cuffs.

Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik Rhythm Dance to Conga by Meek Mil, Tan Sola by Sole Gimenez, Conga by Gloria Estefan--Zingas and Kolesnik looked like professional ballroom dancers at a top international dance competition wearing these fabulous costumes. Both looks were in black and super sexy,  with both Emilea and Vadym revealing lots of skin (that PLUNGING neckline Vadym!). I especially loved the GORGEOUS jeweled sequins placed beautifully throughout their costumes. The costumes looked luxe and expensive. Also, of note, Vadym hails from Ukraine and they wanted to incorporate the colors of the country he was born, so you will notice that the stones on her neckline have a beautiful gold and blue hue to them. Well done!

Free Dance to Selections of Music by Philip Glass--For their Free Dance, they donned the red and black designs seen above. Vadym wore a black look with a red colored panel that matched Emilea's dress. Her dress featured a one-shoulder design with a nude illusion front "peek-a-boo" panel and sparkling crystals framing it. Overall, these were lovely.

Lorraine McNamara and Anton Spiridonov Rhythm Dance to Careless Whisper by George Michael, arranged by Hugo Chouinard--First of all, they had me at Careless Whisper and George Michael, let's just start there! But since this is a Costumes Blog, I'll also add that I loved these costumes as well! Lorraine was all razzle-dazzle in this silver design that Liza Minelli would have worn in a hot minute back in the day. It was sizzling and sexy. The metallic fringe at the bust and hips was EVERYTHING. Anton looked like an '80s pop heartthrob with a sleeveless supertight shirt and tighter pants. I was sweating and heavy breathing just watching them!

Free Dance to Rain, In Your Black Eyes by Ezio Bosso--For their Free Dance, they both wore the matching red looks seen above. The designs--from "Feeling" by Mathieu Caron--were contemporary and fresh, making them look modern and of the moment. 

Lastly...Time for Riverdance!
Eva Pate and Logan Bye Free Dance to Reel Around the Sun by Bill Whelan--I could not write an Ice Dance Costumes Recap blog on the 2023 U.S. Figure Skating Championships without talking about these two cuties here--Eva Pate and Logan Bye--and their "Riverdance" costumes. There are varying shades of green (of course!), stretch velvet (of course!), and some scrolly-looking sequins (of course!)...it's a bit Halloween Costume Shop but...I am here for it! Sometimes, that's actually OK! LOVE THEM!

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ICE STYLE.....2023 U.S. Figure Skating Championships COSTUMES: PAIRS

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ICE STYLE.....2023 U.S. Figure Skating Championships COSTUMES: PAIRS

Pairs Couture--Pairs Skaters (L to R) Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier, and Maria Mokhova and Ivan Mokhov--2023 U.S. Figure Skating Championships SAP Canter San Jose

In my last posts, I RECAPED the WOMEN'S Costumes HERE and the MEN'S Costumes HERE...so up next are the PAIRS--Let's Go!

Golden--The Gold Medal Pairs Winners Alexa Knierimm and Brandon Frazier--2023 U.S. Figure Skating Championships SAP Center San Jose

Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier Free Skate to Sign of The Times by Harry Styles, Healed Broken Wings by Karl Hugo--Knierim and Frazier wore these costumes for their Free Skate. Alexa's involved a bronze-colored design with sequined applique details, a nude illusion upper torso, and a side-draped mini "wrap skirt". But to me, Brandon was the star here. Although his look was simple--a skin-tight top and black pants--it was impressive (he made Alexa look OVER DRESSED!). I loved the ombre coloring and shading, the beautiful and expensive-looking crystal details, especially around the neckline, but mainly, it FIT HIM LIKE A GOD! 

Short Program to Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) by Journey & Steve Perry--This is how you do PAIRS COSTUMES!!! Bravo!!! I am always taken aback when I see costumes that A) Match B) Look like they belong together...and C)Work seamlessly but...hey nowadays I have a low bar I guess! I absolutely loved these costumes from Knierim and Frazier for their Short Program for all the reasons I stated above...plus I really liked the silver, black and red colors, their matching sequin applique, and overall designs. It made them look like the World Champions that they are. Bravo...again!

Ellie Kam and Daniel O'Shea Short Program to The Prayer by Josh Groban and Charlotte Church--For their Short program, Kam and O'Shea wore these costumes which featured matching colors in beige and purple, along with similar crystal details and scooped-out necklines. I especially liked the purple bands around her waist and her matching purple nail colors (can't see it in the photo but trust me!). The costumes were "romantic" and went great with the music.

Free Skate to Selections from Nocturnal Animals Soundtrack--These costumes worn by Kam and O'Shea for their Free Skate were OUTSTANDING! They were delicate, pretty, and expensive looking--worthy of a top Senior Pairs team. I especially loved the jeweled sequins splashed across her costume that then were "blended" onto his top. I also appreciated that her silver-gray colored costume has "highlights" of darker gray/black which then made the background for his costume; a nice job of matching but in a more high-end manner.

Maria Mokhova and Ivan Mokhov Short Program to Malaguena by Roni Benise--Brother and sister Pairs team Mokhova and Mokhov wore these costumes to their 'Malaguena' Short Program. It was obvious even before the music started that these were Spanish-themed looks; his sharp and elegant bolero, bullfighter red cummerbund, as well as her small red Sevillana details. They were costumed in an "old school" Russian Ballet sort of way, and I appreciated it.

Free Skate to Overture - Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss II--For their Free Skate, Mokhova and Mokhov did it again, in terms of keeping it "old school" with these very costumed looks. From the moment they stepped on the ice, I was having (good) flashbacks of Olympics competitions of the past, when figure skaters would be costumed as if they were doing a performance at the Bolshoi. I liked how formal, fancy, and well-dressed they were--especially Ivan with his tuxedo. For her costume, it was sweet but I would have done without the faux necklace (and have a better nude-colored illusion).

Sonia Baram and Daniel Tioumentsev Free Skate to Pilgrims on a Long Journey, Primavera--These costumes were successful in being pretty, stage-effective, and in their matching details. I liked the light blue/white ombre-shaded colors but more importantly, I loved the scroll-like red crystal applique that looked like roots (or veins) crawling through their bodies.

Nica Digerness and Mark Sadusky Short Program--Making their Seniors Debut at the 2023 U.S. Nationals, Digerness and Sadusky wore these costumes for their Short Program. I liked the matching blue colors as well as the coordinating crystal details. I especially liked her sleek bodysuit and contrasting baby blue/indigo color blocking. The open-back detail was fabulous as well.

Free Skate to Selections from Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky--From the costumes, it is obvious Nica is the White Swan with her ivory costume with delicate crystal details mimicking feathers on her torso. Mark is VERY Prince Siegfried in his black costume featuring gold piping and embroidery around the neckline and wrists. I think this was a nice and sweet attempt at these iconic costumes, especially for their debut. I would have liked them a bit more Haute Couture Swan Lake but that's just me.

Katie McBeath and Nathan Bartholomay Short Program to Your Heart Is As Black As Night by Beth Hart, Joe Banamassa--For their Short Program McBeath and Bartholomay wore these all-black looks, to go along with the name of their music. They were sleek and modern and not really "costumes" in the traditional sense. I was bored by Nathan (it's just a black top and pants!) but I liked Katie's sexy strappy back bodysuit. At the very least, THANK GOD there was some detail in the back!

Emily Chan and Spencer Howe Free Skate to Selections from Ghost Soundtrack--While I really like this Pairs team, I was rather unimpressed by their choice of costumes for their Free Skate. They looked a bit "Junior" for my taste. Not sure if it was the muted colors or almost too old-school '70s figure skater styles...but I wished for something different...more elevated! Emily's costume made her look childlike and Spencer--who has an incredible body and frame--was swallowed up by that too-large shirt; it should have been nice-and-tight!

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