ICE STYLE.....2015 US Figure Skating Championships Costumes: LADIES and MEN

Hey Ladies: Costume Highlights seen on US Figure Skaters Ashley Wagner, Polina Edmunds and Gracie Gold--2015 Prudential US Figure Skating Championships

Oh Boys: Men Costume Highlights on Jason Brown, Nathan Chen and Adam Rippon--2015 Prudential US Figure Skating Championships

This past week and weekend were the ever important US Nationals of Figure Skating--the 2015 Prudential US Figure Skating Championships, to be more precise--held at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro North Carolina.

These are like the "Miss USA" of international figure skating (you KNOW I had to go there!), where results from these championships determine the US selection criteria for the 2015 World Championships as well as 2015 Four Continents Championships.

OK, now that we got that out of the way, time for the FASHION, I mean... COSTUMES! 

Ashley, Gracie and Karen...Let's begin with the LADIES and after them, I'll discuss the MEN:

Ashley Wagner: Ashley got her third US Nationals Gold medal and did it fabulously! For her Free Skate, she skated the "Moulin Rouge (soundtrack)". I loved the deep red color and especially the jeweled neckline that resembled the diamond necklace in the musical/film. Overall, it was a GREAT costume job. Oh, and Congrats to her for getting the gold!

Short Program to "Spartacus" by Aram Katchaturian--Ashley wore a black with gold accented costume. I thought this was a nice, modern interpretation. I especially liked the gold jeweled waistband and gathered/draped torso section. It was Spartacus chic!

Gracie Gold: For her Short Program to "Piano Concerto" by Edvard Grieg, Gracie wore this midnight blue and sequined costume. It was VERY Gracie in its demure and "Ice Princess" style. It matched the music and what we have come to expect from Gracie. But...I somehow wanted a little more; it was pretty yet it bored me. I also felt the silhouette didn't define her waist and therefore it seems a little "boxy". But, on a good note, that neckline and the sequin work is EVERYTHING!

Free Skate to "The Phantom of the Opera" by Andrew Lloyd Webber--Delicate violet sequined applique highlighted this costume--along with nude illusion and a chiffon "skirt" section. It was pretty and worked well with the music. It was definitely in the "classic" folder of Figure Skating Costume designs; nothing extraordinary. It's pretty and well made.

Samantha Cesario: Short Program to "Danza Mora" by Dr. Samy Farag--I liked the maroon color and sequin details of this costume for Samantha's Short Program. The gold, pink and cobalt blue sequins really stood out. I love how her hair accessory matches the sequin work in her costume. Well done Miss Samantha!

Free Skate to "Carmen" by Georges Bizet and Rodion Shchedrin--Samantha skated to "Carmen" and wore this Tania Bass-designed costume above. Since we all know that "Carmen" has been skated to--and designed--over and over again--this was a good costume considering. The sequined applique detail of the bodice was very well done and I liked the asymmetry of the nude illusion placement. I also like the mini side draped skirt. I always love a nice side drape!

Mirai Nagasu: Short Program to "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini" by Sergei Rachmaninoff--Mirai wore this deep lilac/violet colored costume with silver crystals placed asymmetrically on the bodice in a feather-like design. I thought this costume was both bold and pretty for Mirai. I also liked the "one-shoulder sleeve" look.

Free Skate to "Madame Butterfly" by Giacomo Puccini--I love this costume on Mirai. Too bad her skating didn't quite equal the fabulosity of her costumes. This black costume has lilac and silver crystals placed to look like fabulously bedazzled butterfly wings. So beautiful and giving a nice nod to "Madame Butterfly".

Polina Edmunds: Short Program to "Flamenco Medley" of "Buleria" and "Tango Serenata" from the Flamenco Fantasy. I liked this electric blue costume. It was designed by Lilya Dukler and had the look of a very feminine "Flamenco Princess" with its fluttery sleeve details, grid-and-flower torso and of course, the flower on her chignon.  I think it was a good choice to not make this in red because it would have been to cliche and it would have looked as if she was skating to Bizet's "Carmen". 

Karen Chen: Karen skated her Free Skate wonderfully to "Godfather Suite" by Drew Tretick. She is definitely the ONE TO LOOK OUT FOR! Now, in terms of her costume, I liked the maturity in the design and that it had the black and red colors that gave it an almost "Tango" look. The sequin work was also quite nice. 

Short Program to "Requiem for a Tower" by Escala and "Requiem for a Dream" by Clint Mansell--Speaking of sequin work, I really liked the red and silver crystals on Karen's Short Program costume and the way they vertically trickled down the torso of the costume. Quite elegant and once again, mature, for such a young skater. 

Amber Glenn: Ashley skated her Short Program to "Summertime" by Giovanni in this costume. While I thought she skated wonderfully, I had a couple of issues with the costume; I don't think the silhouette and ombre light color position did her figure justice. It wasn't flattering.  You can see that it is fitted on the side, yet for some reason while she was skating, the costume made her look shapeless. And I believe it had a lot to do with the Empire cut as well as the light ombre color being right in the front.

Courtney Hicks: Courtney skated her Short Program to "Code Name Vivaldi" by The Piano Guys. I loved this costume. It's simple, elegant and I especially liked that blue, black and silver sequined neck-piece. She was very much a macabre DIVA during this skate and that was great! I also liked her eye makeup. If there was any critique, maybe her makeup base color was a shade too pale...compared to the rest of her.  

Ashley Cain Short Program: Ashley Cain skated to "Mission Impossible" by The Piano Guys featuring Lindsey Stirling, and she wore this black sequined jumpsuit. Yes, kids, a jumpsuit. The costume featured a cascade of heavy-to-light crystals in the torso area that trickled down the legs. I loved it! #GoJumpsuits #FigureSkating

Hannah Miller: Hannah skated her Free Skate to...you guessed it, "Firebird" by Igor Stravinski. Sometimes, a costume to "Firebird" can go CRAY-CRAy but I think this was a nice interpretation. It might not have been Haute Couture in terms of Figure Skating FASHION but it was good.

Mariah Bell: Mariah skated her Short Program to "Little Talks" by Kurt Hugo Schneider. While the bubblegum purple/pink and turquoise combo might have seemed a bit "junior", I appreciated the semi-one-shoulder design and sequin applique work in the neckline/torso. Was it a bit "Junior Garish"? Maybe. But it was OK...for me.
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The Men:

Jason Brown: Free Skate to "Tristan and Iseult" by Maxime Rodriguez--Jason went full-on costume for his Free Skate. This costume paid homage to the famous medieval romantic tale of "Tristan & Isolde". The setting is understood to be Great Britain during the Dark Ages and after the fall of the Roman Empire. Jason's costume certainly gives hints of the medieval romantic male lead (Tristan). While many may think it was A LOT, I actually liked the one shoulder sequined panel over the blouse, the chocolate leather cummerbund and matching covered boots. I love it when a MALE skater goes for it 110% and does it right!

Jason Brown of the USA--Short Program to"Juke" by Little Walter: Jazzy, sassy and rock-and-roll fab! That's about all I can say: good job on this look. Love the slim great fitting pants, the suspenders and cobalt colored studded sleeve cuff and collar shirt. Oh and if that wasn't enough, there was a silver chain from the belt loop to the pocket. Nothing was left out of this costume in terms of details. 

Adam Rippon: For his Free Skate to "Piano Concerto No. 1" by Franz Liszt, Adam wore one of my favorite looks on the men. The black and white ensemble was stark, effective and very right with the music. In addition, I LOVED that shirt! The sequin work was spectacular. 

Jeremy Abbott: For his Short Program to "Lay Me Down" by Sam Smith, James Napier, Elvin Smith, Jeremy wore this paisley short sleeve shirt and blue "tuxedo" pants. I thought this was a slightly sexier look for Jeremy and still retained his sleek elegant sensibility. I especially loved the tuxedo pants with the satin outseam band. If there was any critique, the shirt was a bit "cropped" and while he skate it kept "popping" up. This was a different costume from what we saw him in last at the...

Free Skate Costume at the 2014 NHK Trophy ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Championships in November 2014

Free Skate to "Adagio for Strings" by Samuel Barber: For his Free Skate, Jeremy wore this red liquid jersey top with silver sequins and black pants. It was very nice and appropriate for the program. Very nice indeed. It was also a bit of a costume change...

Above photo shows the costume (maybe the same top minus the crystals?) he wore at the 2014 NHK Trophy ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Championships

 

Joshua Farris: For his Free Skate to "Music from Schindler's List" by John Williams, Joshua wore this Susi Hubbs-designed costume . I loved the cowl drape and asymmetrical hemline of the top. It's liquid Costume Fab.

Max Aaron: Max skated his Free Skate to "Gladiator" by Hans Zimmer and L. Gerrard. At first when I saw this, I thought "Cirque du Soleil" and what did this have to do with "Gladiator". But then, upon closer inspection, I realized the top was giving "hints" of a Gladiator's chest shield and the straps on the side as well as possibly, the blood on the chest from being "slashed" by an opponent. So, after realizing this, I think this was a good costume. Although it had a slightly cartoonish feel to it.

Short Program to "Footloose" by Kenny Loggins: I like the black and white color juxtaposition but...I think the top was a bit too long. Let me explain, Max has got short legs (and very muscle-perfect ones at that!) but...by making the top long, it shortened his legs more than they already are. I would have liked higher--longer rise--pants. And a shorter top.

Ross Miner: 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: I thought this silver and black costume with black jet sequins was quite elegant. Much better costume than what he had worn before for the...

2014 NHK Trophy ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Championships in November 2014

Nathan Chen: Nathan skated his Short Program to "Summer and Winter" from Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi. When I first saw this costume, I thought he was skating to Michael Jackson, to be honest, but yes as it turned out it was Vivaldi. Nathan is wearing a silver jacket with gold details--it's very "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"...and then there's the pants with the gold "tuxedo" side seam trim and that fab belt; it's all pretty cool in terms of a costume. Not so sure how it applies to Vivaldi, though.

**UP NEXT: The PAIRS and ICE DANCE Costumes Recap from the 2015 Prudential US Figure Skating Championships