ICE STYLE.....2014 NHK Trophy Figure Skating Costumes: LADIES, MEN

Ice Style: (L to R) Alena Leonova of Russia and Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan both in their Free Skate costumes--2014 NHK Trophy ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating, Osaka Japan

This past weekend was the last of six events in the 2014-2015 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating competitions--the 2014-2015 NHK Trophy, held in Osaka Japan. I've discussed the Costumes Highlights of all the previous Grand Prix events of the season, including Hilton HHonors Skate America, Skate Canada, Lexus Cup of China, Rostelecom Cup (Russia) and Trophee Eric Bompard (France) and you can just search Ice Style here on my BLOG on the right under CATEGORIES (scroll below my Twitter, Instragram feeds). Now, it's time to talk about some of the LADIES and MEN costumes of 2014 NHK Trophy, and a couple of COSTUME CHANGES (Hello Boys!!!).
First up, the LADIES...

Congratulations to Gracie! USA's Gracie Gold wins the Gold medal with (L to R), Alena Leonova of Russia ( Silver) and Satoko Miyahara of Japan with the Bronze medal--2014 NHK Trophy ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating, Osaka Japan

Alena Leonova of Russia, Short Program: Alena's Short program costume seen above to "Smile" performed by Nat King Cole, "Overture - Unveiling the Statue" (City Lights soundtrack) by Carl Davis and "Terry's Theme" (from Limelight soundtrack) by Charlie Chaplin. She was obviously trying to vibe a menswear Charlie Chaplin look with the jacket, "vest", wingtip tuxedo collar and boutonniere. I think it's fun and cheeky.

For her Free Skate to "Asi se baila el Tango" (from "Take the Lead" soundtrack) and 
"Otono Porteno" performed by Ensemble Nuevo Tango, she wore this one-shoulder-esque draped red costume/dress. The theme was Argentinian Tango and I think she nailed the look with this costume but in not such an overt and predictable way. It was simple, elegant and quite fashionable.

Christina Gao of USA, Free Skate: Christina skated her Free Skate to "Once Upon a Dream" by Linda Eder. I think this is a pretty costume for Christina. I like the deep plum/violet color, the delicate sequin applique and slightly fluttery sleeve hems and skirt hem. 

Elene Gedevanishvili of Georgia, Short Program: For her Short program to "Meditation" (from "Thais") by Jules Massenet, Elene wore this golden stretch satin/lame costume with silver jeweled accents and low-sling studded belt. I thought it was modern, stylish and still had enough Figure Skating costume "pizzazz". 

For Elene's Free Skate to "Tough Lover" (from "Burlesque" soundtrack), "Express" (from "Burlesque" soundtrack), and "Show Me How You Burlesque" (from "Burlesque" soundtrack), she wore this black body suit featuring crystals highlighting the torso and hips. If the semi-odd sight of seeing a bodysuit/jumpsuit wasn't enough (it's rare in figure skating international competitions but not so unusual per se), she then finished the look with a diamante headband/crown. Not sure if Elene was vibing Cher or Chrstina Aguilera in this look.
  

Kanako Murakami of Japan, Free Skate: I discussed this costume to Kanako's Free Skate to  The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber HERE 

Riona Kato of Japan, Free Skate: Riona skated her Free Skate to Piano Concerto No. 3 by Sergei Rachmaninov in this costume above. I actually liked this look. It was bold and I thought the bright blues and intricate torso detail was impacting. Yes, it might have been two seconds from looking like a "Circus du Soleil" costume, but I still loved it.

Li Zijun of China, Short Program: Li Zijun wore this very pretty costume to her Short Program to Waltz of the Flowers (from "Nutcracker") by Peter I. Tchaikovski. I thought she looked like a very "Young Hollywood" fashionable Sugarplum Fairy. I appreciated that it wasn't Ballet costume-y and actually looked like a contemporary party dress. It also looked very well made. the delicate crystals at the neckline and sleeve hem were particularly beautiful.

Gracie Gold of USA: Gold medal winning Gracie Gold wore these costumes above for her Short Program and Free Skate. I liked them both! She really is like the "Grace Kelly" of Figure Skating--from head to toe! I've discussed these costumes when she wore them to the 2014 Hilton HHonors Skate America...you can read my comments on her costumes HERE .

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MEN:

Takahito Mura of Japan: I've talked about Takahito's Short Program and Free Skate costumes HERE .

Sergei Voronov of Russia, Short Program: Sergei wore this costume for his Short Program to "Danse Macabre" by Camille Saint-Saens. It was a stretch velvet bodysuit/jumpsuit, all black with feather-like applique detail at the shoulders. I thought it was quite elegant in its subtle hints of death (the black color, the almost-worn and antique-looking applique). I'm glad he didn't go full-on Danse Macabre and wear a skeleton bodysuit!

For his Free Skate to "It's a Men's World" by James Brown, "Come Together" by Marcus Miller, "At Last" by Kenny G and "Big Time Boppin’ (Go Man Go)" by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Sergei changed his costume--well, the top--from what he had worn last time at the Rostelecom Cup/Cup of Russia. I thought the ripped shirt, super-tight faux leather pants was A LOT and so I was happy to see a non-ripped shirt as the change. I think it went better with the pants and was less distracting. Now, talk about distracting: WHAT IS GOING ON with that crotch of his (top photo)??!!! Sergei!

Jeremy Abbott of USA, Short Program: Jeremy skated his Short Program to "Lay Me Down" by Sam Smith and I thought there was something different...it was his costume! This deep blue ensemble above--featuring a black placket-front blue very blousey shirt and blue pants--was different from what he wore at Hilton HHonors Skate America for his Short Program:

At Hilton HHonors Skate America 2014--When I talked about this shirt and tie with trousers look, I said I can't help but think he still looks like "he's selling cell phones at my local Verizon store in the mall". he was well-dressed and looked nice but...I am very happy he changed his costume. The blous-y Royal Blue Shirt was a big improvement and really went much better with the theme of the skate. Like his skating, Jeremy likes the subtle details. The interesting seaming and great cuffs add just the right touch to this look.

Ross Miner of USA, Short Program: Ross wore this costume above for his Short Program to "The Way We Were" by Marvin Hamlisch. I absolutely LOVED it!! It was Retro 60's male Figure Skater Good, fit him to perfection and went with the theme and music very well. Also, the plum, lilac and gray colors were gorgeous together.

Free Skate to Romanza by Andrea Bocelli: After seeing his super-cute Short Program Retro look, I was a bit disappointed with this one. I liked the asymmetrical draping/gathering and silver crystal detail but it felt a little "MEH" to me. I don't know what it was, but it left me underwhelmed.

Daisuke Murakami of Japan, Short Program: Daisuke wore this to his Short Program to "El Tango de Roxanne" (from "Moulin Rouge" soundtrack). I thought this was a nice costume interpretation for the song and definitely reminiscent of the film. I am usually not a fan of a very stretchy non-tailored jacket but I understand the need for stretch and movement ease. But I just wished it looked more structured and less like part of a bodysuit.

Free Skate to Piano Concerto No. 2 by Sergei Rachmaninov: Skaters--whether male or female, for some reason love using this delicate baby blue colors when skating to classical pieces. There must be some sort of "Figure Skating Costume Rule", and here Daisuke follows this rule by wearing these delicate blues for the top of his costume. I like the ombre-like colorations but the top looks a little whickety-wack and like something someone's mother put together in her "sewing room" near the kitchen of her house. This top could be much more elegant with just some side draping/gathering, and asymmetrical flutter hem...and that's it! 

Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan, Short Program: Remember what I was saying about the baby blue color and classical music? Well, here's "Exhibit #2"--Yuzuru Hanyu and his Short Program costume to "Ballade No. 1 op. 23 in G minor" by Frederic Chopin. I discussed this costume already--click HERE.

Free Skate to Music from The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber: Yuzuru did a COSTUME CHANGE. He wore this ivory, black and blue with gold applique detail costume with a small popped revere collar and ruffles sleeves. It's a bit of a mess, but then again, Yuzuru likes it that way. I have a feeling he might have changed his costume since the last time he skated this Free Skate at the Lexus Cup of China, this happened:

 Previous Free Skate Costume at Lexus Cup of China: old costume, bad memories.

**UP NEXT: The PAIRS and ICE DANCE costumes of 2014 NHK Trophy!