ICE STYLE.....Sochi 2014 Olympics, Ladies Short Program Costumes!

 Queen Yuna: Yuna Kim of South Korea, Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics Ladies Short Program, Iceberg Skating Palace Sochi Russia

Tonight were the much-waited Ladies Figure Skating Short Program at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. I had the pleasure of doing Fashion/Costume commentary for the L.A. Times as well as NBCOlympics and NBC.com Streaming show "Olympic Ice" discussing these costumes. It was an exciting event for sure and worth the wait. So, let's discuss the LADIES costumes Highlights here on my BLOG,  for the Short Program...

 U.S. Ladies Figure Skater Gracie Gold: Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics--Short Program, Iceberg Palace Sochi Russia

First, I want to discuss Queen Yuna:

Kim Yuna of South Korea, Short Program to "Send In The Clowns": Her costume was FLAWLESS. Exquisite, beautifully made, gorgeous. Yuna Kim wore a chartreuse-colored costume with fitted-yet-fluttery sleeves , a sequined torso and chiffon skirt. 

 When the cameras did close-up's, one could really appreciate the delicate scroll-like gorgeousness of the sequin work  of her costume; stunning!

Ashley Wagner of the U.S, , Short Program to "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" by Pink Floyd: The costume featured black stretch chiffon, double-layer "skirt" and panels with silver crystal trimmed details. I really liked this costume because it really reflected the theme of her music. She also could have easily worn this if she was skating to say, Tchaikovsky "Swan Lake" as well! I especially loved the various sizes of the jeweled crystals and how the neck detail looked like a built-in diamond necklace (that was probably the point!).

Gracie Gold of the U.S., Short Program to "Piano Concerto" by Edvard Grieg: The costume was designed by Gale Johnson and Denise Gold and I LOVE it! It's elegant, classic but with a sexy "red carpet" edge and also works really well with her music and program; it's like a "mini-me" gown one could see at a late 19th Century/early 20th Century Ball in Europe. The off-the-shoulder look seems very "Moulin Rouge"-like as well.

Julia Lipnitskaia of Russia Short Program to "You Don't Give Up on Love" by Mark Minkov: I thought this was a very nice costume for Julia and this program. I loved the deep violet blue and baby blue combination and the torso/bodice sequin work looked beautiful. My favorite detail of this costume were the back straps. Also, I am usually not a fan of the pull-the-nude-tights-over-the-skates look but here it worked. Such a shame that little Julia fell, however. You could just hear the shock-and-awe from the mostly Russian audience.

Mao Asada of Japan, Short Program to "Nocturne in E flat major, Op. 9, No. 2" by Frederic Chopin: This beautiful costume is a change from what Asada wore for the Team Competition several weEks ago at the beginning of the Sochi Olympics:

I like both costumes but if I had to pick, I like what she wore tonight at the Sochi 2014 Olympics Ladies Short Program better; it's little more delicate, the gathering/draping in the front/torso seems more refined and overall, it looks softer. Poor Mao...

She was another Ladies Figure Skater who fell during this very important Short Program--I do LOVE that "Eiffel Tower"-like back sequin detail though.

Carolina Kostner of Italy, Short Program to Ave Maria by Franz Schubert: The sky blue colored costume featured a "plunging" neckline (in illusion) with gorgeously strewn sequins throughout. It was beautiful, classic and "Ice Princess" perfect. Her skate was almost like a religious experience; the music, the skate, the costume...she seemed Angelic.

Adelina Sotnikova of Russia, Short Program to "Habanera" from the "Carmen" Suite by Georges Bizet: I thought this costume was simple yet nice for her; it was clean and bold to grab the audience and judges' attention.  She wore this costume at the 2014 Russian Nationals but before, she had worn this:

This costume above was far more interesting in terms of design. Not sure which one I like best. I am thinking the one above.

Polina Edmuds of the U.S., Short Program to "Pink Cherries Cha-Cha-Cha," "Besame Mucho" and "Another Cha-Cha" by Ballroom Orchestra: The costume is designed by Lilya Dukler and I think it's pretty fabulous! I love the light lemon yellow color, the "shredded" skirt and emphasis on the neckline and all those panels in the torso. I especially like how no "costume stone was left unturned" in that it is a complete look; the hairstyle, details in the hair...it is all in synch with the rest of the costume. Very nice!

Finally, I want to talk abut Akiko Suzuki of Japan:

Akiko Suzuki of Japan, Short Program to "Hymne à l'amour": This above was one of the most intricately beaded/sequined costumes of all the Ladies. You cannot really tell in the picture above but it truly was exquisite! The silver sequins at the neckline (and back) were Top Notch!. This red costume, by the way, was a costume change from what she had worn in the most recent 2013 Grand Prix series Short Dance:

Akiko Suzuki of Japan, Short Program costume, Japan Nationals December 2013--I like the red one much better; it looks more refined and the silver sequins are OUT OF CONTROL!

**Next Up: The Ladies Free Skate Costumes Recap of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics!