ICE STYLE.....Sochi Olympics 2014 Pairs Costumes: Pink Panther Returns!

 Pink Panther DIVA RETURNS!!!...Plus... some Costume Changes...

some Costume Changes...
  Time for my Figure Skating Costume Highlights...

Figure Skating is in FULL FORCE at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics which means one thing: Time to discuss the Costumes! The last two days were the Pairs Figure Skating Competition. There were some "Costume Highlights" and so...here we go. Let's begin with the "Pink Panther" in the room:

Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany, Short Program: Savchenko and Szolkowy skated their short program to Henry Manicini's soundtrack to "The Pink Panther" and needless to say that it was Aliona's bubblegum pink jumpsuit that stole the show. The costume featured a blindingly bright pink color and a silver crystal stripe down top portion. Her boots were even covered in the same Lycra pink fabrication. Oh, and in case you missed her--she also has a pink mini-scrunchie on her hair!

Backless: Her perfectly chiseled and toned back was exposed in a cut-out feature in the costume. She was THE SEXIEST Pink Panther EVAH! Oh...and Robin (her partner) looked, well, just OK as the "Inspector". In case you were wondering, this was a Return/Throw-back to the same costumes they wore for their 2010-2011 Season LONG program:

Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany--2010-2011 Season Long Program "Pink Panther" costumes

Now, in case you thought the "Pink Panther" costumes were A LOT, take a look at this "Costume Photo gallery" of the KRAZEE costumes they've worn before:

Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy at 2012 Skate Canada Short Program to "Kismet" by Bond--they went very Cirque du Soleil splatter-paint/tie-dye with crystals--for their costumes. She wore a predominantly red multicolored unitard with a swirly illusion torso and choker/mock-neck detail. He wore a darker unitard with the Gay Rainbow Flag splattered on half his torso and legs.

Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy 2012 Skate Canada Long Program to "Flamenco Bolero"--Robin wore another unitard so it's a good guess that he probably LOVES untitards--or showing off his perfect physique via a unitard. These costumes were like a Costume Tribute to Spanish Catalan artist Joan Miró-meets-Cirque du Soleil (once again!). 

Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy at the 2013 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Canada--Same program, same music but (a little) more subdued costumes. Still Tacky-licious.

Now, let's discuss The Gold medalists from Russia:

Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov of Russia, Free Skate to Music from Jesus Christ Superstar by Andrew Lloyd Webber--
I love how the bright golden yellow color of his (very tight) pants are brought into the goldenrod color of Tatiana's gathered costume. The color really stood out on Olympics ice and made them looked perfectly matched. It's all a perfect pairing in costumes and just right for the music. And just for good measure, I have to add: Maxim has got to be one of the SEXIEST men in Figure Skating. JEEEE---SUS is right! Now, this is a Costume Change--on Tatiana's part--for what she had worn before for this same Free Skate:

Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov of Russia, Free Skate at ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2013/2014 Fukuoka, Japan--Her costume was the same costume but different color--an ombre white/gray version. I LOVE the golden colored one much better; it was more visually impacting and really highlighted her in the program (since when they skate, I cannot stop staring at HIM!)

Qing Pang and Jian Tong of China, Free Skate to "I Dreamed a Dream" from the Les Misérables soundtrack by Claude-Michel Schönberg--These costumes were quite fabulous I have to say. I love how the costume designer interpreted a directional--yet still Period--vision of "Les Miz". Her costume was chic, loved the multi-straps, asymmetrical neckline and mini flutter sleeve, and the bright red color was just perfect on such a world stage as the Olympics. His jacket-and-waistcoat (vest) with cravat look was sharp, elegant and well-matched to her costume. Notice how the same red of her costume was brought into his jacket lapel/notched collar. These looks were a (wise) Costume Change from what we saw them wear for this same program and music in past competitions:

Qing Pang and Jian Tong of China, Free Skate at the Lexus Cup of China ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2013 in Beijing, China--I loved these costumes as well but definitely the Sochi Olympic designs are much more impacting and creative--design-wise.

 Vera Bazarova and Yuri Larionov of Russia, Free Skate to the "Polovtsian Dances" from Prince Igor by Alexander Borodin--Russian pair Bazarova and Larionov wore these costumes for the Free Skate. The music they skated to comes from an opera which recounts the campaigns of Russian prince Igor Svyatoslavich against the Polovtsian tribes in 1185. I am guessing the costume designer wanted to interpret a little of the Medieval-like feel into the ensembles and play with some added "Spartacus/Spartan" touches as well.  Not sure of this but looking at past photos of their Free Skate and costumes, it may seem as if the color of his "tunic" was changed. Above it's a plum color while...

This photo above of Vera Bazarova and Yuri Larionov from the ISU Rostelecom Cup of Figure Skating 2013 (November  2013) in Moscow, Russia, looks as if his tunic is black. It  might just be the coloring of the photo and lighting...Also, right before they skated at the Rostelecom Cup at...

Trophee Eric Bompard 2013 (above photo) gorgeous Vera's costume lacked something. Can you see what she isn't wearing that now is part of her costume? Yep--her headband. Overall, I liked their looks; they were strong, sexy and good for the music. If there was a little bit of a negative, I would say they are a couple minutes away (not seconds but minutes!) from looking like store-bought Halloween costumes from a store in Hollywood Blvd.

Finally, I want to give Costume Props to the French Pair of...

Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres--For their Free Skate to Music from the Angels and Demons soundtrack by Hans Zimmer and the Requiem for a Dream soundtrack by Clint Mansell, they wore these costumes. These were outstanding and some of my favorites of all the Pairs Figure Skaters; The curved asymmetrical style lines, the expensive crystal work, the contrast in color between James and Cipres--Her being the Angel and him being the Demon, I presume. It was all fabulous!

Stunning back: J'adore this elaborately beautiful back sequin-and-illusion back on Morgan Cipres' costume.

Almost Perfect Costume Pair: Overall, an outstanding job on the costumes!! If there was any little critique, I just wish her illusion color was closer to her actual skin color. But really, I can put that critique aside because everything else is magical.

***Stay tuned here on my BLOG for more Costumes Highlights of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics Figure Skating Costumes!