ICE STYLE.....2018 Winter Olympics Figure Skating Costumes RECAP: LADIES COSTUMES!

 Golden Girl--Gold medal winner Alina Zagitova of Olympic Athlete from Russia, during her Free Skate at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, Gangneung Ice Arena, Gangneung South Korea

Last night were the finals of the Ladies Figure Skating Olympics competition, a culmination of the Ladies Short Programs (which occurred two days prior) and their Free Skates, which would "crown" the top ladies in Figure Skating at the 2018 Winter Olympics. It was a showdown between the two Russians--or "Olympic Athletes from Russia"--. The battle was between two-time world champion, two-time European champion, two-time Grand Prix Final champion 18-year-old Evgenia Medvedeva and 15-year-old Skating Wunderkind Alina Zagitova.

Dueling Skating Divas--(L to R) Silver medalist Evgenia Medvedeva and gold medal winner Alina Zagitova, both of the Olympic Athletes from Russia

It was a duel to beat all figure skating duels and Alina came out on top winning the first gold medal for her country at the PyeongChang Olympics. As a big figure skating fan, I thought this was one of THE BEST Olympics figure skating events in all four disciplines; there was drama, excitement, and to-the-last minute "OMG! What's going to happen??" nervousness. And to add to all that, they were BOTH coached by the same person, the woman by the name of Eteri Tutberidze!!

Gold medalist Alina Zagitova (2nd, left) and silver medal winner Evgenia Medvedeva (2nd, right) with their coaches Sergei Dudakov (far left), Eteri Tutberidze (center) and Choreographer Daniil Gleikhengauz (far right)--2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics Ladies Figure Skating Finals, Gangneung Ice Area, Gangneung South Korea

And yes, I also loved seeing their COSTUMES!!! Since I have already discussed the PAIRS HERE, ICE DANCE HERE, and MEN'S HERE, it's now time for the LADIES! Here are my "Nick Two Cents" on some of the Short and Free Skate Costumes seen at this 2018 Winter Olympics:

Costumed Beauties--The Best of The Best (L to R) Canada's Kaetlyn Osmond; Russia's Alina Zagitova (2nd & 3rd from left); Russia's Evgenia Medvedeva; and Japan's Sakoko Miyahara--2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics

Evgenia Medvedeva of  Olympic Athlete from Russia Short Program to Nocturne by Frederic Chopin--For her Short Program, Evgenia has worn this gray, blue and ombre lilac costume throughout this entire 2017-2018 Season and there was no "Costume Surprise" or change for the Olympics. It is a gorgeous costume that reflects the "nocturne", night-lit sky through the design, colors and sprinkle of star-like crystals. I also liked the subtly asymmetrical/handkerchief hem and strappy neckline.

Free Skate to Anna Karenina (soundtrack) by Dario Marianelli: For her Free Skate, Evgenia debuted a brand new costume at the 2018 European Figure Skating Championships which she ended up wearing for the 2018 Winter Olympics.  The costume was similar to what she had been wearing before in style and sequined applique but while the previous one was black, this new one was in a rust/Cabernet red-like color. I thought the costume was very luxe, reflecting the Upper Class Russia "Anna Karenina" era, and I loved the red caviar beading throughout the design. If there was any critique, it would be that it was verging on being a little too busy and too intricate; she could have done with a couple less sequined applique flowers for sure! It looked like flowers were "exploding" on her!

Kaetlyn Osmond of Canada Short Program to Sous le ciel de Paris, Milord performed by Edith Piaf--Kaetlyn was one of those costume-repeat offenders this season (there were several, darlings, keep reading!) in that she had worn this costume for last year's (2016-2017) Season. Besides the fact that it's an old costume--well, just last season old!--it still works. The costume features a tie-neck design, midnight blue sequined chiffon with applique details, all giving a nod to Parisian Chic. I just wish she would have worn something new only because it was, after all...THE OLYMPICS!

Free Skate to Andante Allegro (from "Swan Lake") and No. 24 Scene: Allegro (from "Swan Lake") by Petr I. Tchaikovski, Stumbled Beginnings (from "Black Swan") and Nina's Dream (from "Black Swan") by Clint Mansell--This "Black Swan" costume was absolutely gorgeous! Not only was it exquisitely made but it looked Ballet-perfect, refined and elegant. Kaetlyn looked like Margot Fonteyn at the Royal Ballet with this costume, Prima Ballerina makeup and that top-knot...SUPERB! I also LOVED the black nail color on her very pointed nails!

Gabrielle Daleman of Canada Short Program to Habanera (from "Carmen") by George Bizet--Gabrielle wore this black sequined-and-chiffon costume with red ombre dyeing for this Short program of hers. The costume featured applique on the torso and an asymmetrical hem skirt. It was just OK to be honest; it just looked a bit too "Figure Skating Costume 101" for me. This costume was debuted at January's 2018 Canadian Nationals. She wore this sleek, modern "Carmen" look before:

Sequin-less Carmen--Which costume do YOU guys like better? The newer on or the one above?

Free Skate to Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin: Poor Gabrielle, she skated a MISERABLE Olympic Free Skate which was very unfortunate. But, if there's any consolation, her royal blue sequined costume was quite beautiful! This was the same costume she wore last season. Not sure if that was a good or bad omen, but like I said, I thought it was very pretty, especially the gradating silver jeweled sequins that reminded me of a broken star. 

Carolina Kostner of Italy Free Skate to L'apres-midi d'un faun by Claude Debussy: For her Free Skate at the 2018 Winter Olympics, Carolina debuted this new costume during the Team competition. And THANK GOODNESS!! Before I get to why, let me just discuss how pretty, directional and fashionably chic this costume was: I loved it: I want to take this costume and make it into a floor-length gown! Now, in terms of why I was happy, it was because she didn't wear this: 

The NEON GREEN JUMPSUIT she wore at the 2018 European Figure Skating Championships. Ciao Green Sequined Jumpsuit!

Kaori Sakamoto of Japan Short Program to Moonlight Sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven--Kaori wore this blue ombre-dyed costume for her Short Program and I thought it was very pretty. The design featured a gathered one shoulder-like design plus lots of silver sequins throughout the garment. This is another example of a figure skating costume that would probably looked fabulous a red carpet gown!

Free Skate to Amelie (soundtrack) by Yann Tiersen: Kaori began this past season in this costume BUT it was a PUTRID pea green. I did not like it. But thank goodness someone in her team also realized this and changed the color to beautiful red: Much better.

Maria Sotskova of Olympic Athlete from Russia Short Program to Swan Lake by Petr I. Tchaikovski--Maria wore this pink sequined costume for her Short Program and it was beautiful. In the beginning of the season, at 2017 Skate Canada International, she was still wearing an older costume (from the previous season) and I wondered if she was going to change it or if a new one was being made and it wasn't ready yet. Well, she changed! I loved this elegant costume featuring a pink chiffon base with 19th Century-like design details reminding me of a Romanov Russian Princess. The rhinestone-studded necklace, bracelets and bodice embellishment were superb! I also LOVED the back.

Free Skate to Claire de Lune by Claude Debussy--Maria debuted this gray costume back at the 2017-2018 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Finals and I thought it was elegant and very pretty. The costume was a silver/gray sequined embroidered design featuring a high neck, long sleeves, appliqued bodice and clean chiffon bottom/skirt section.

Satoko Miyahara of Japan Short Program to Memoirs of a Geisha (soundtrack) by John Williams--Satoko looked so pretty in this pink costume: It was delicate and Geisha LITE, with no overt hints of a Geisha or Kimono. Instead, what we did see was a powder pink costume with beautiful petal-like silver rhinestones and dégradé pink skirt.

Free Skate to Madame Butterfly Act 3, Goro's Entrance (Madame Butterfly Act 2)  and Butterfly Bids Her Child Farewell (Madame Butterfly Act 2) by Giacomo Puccini--Satoko continued with her Japan-centric music for her programs, wearing this blue design for her "Madame Butterfly" Free Skate. This blue costume featured solid stretch Lycra jersey as well as nude illusion, beautifully sequined, giving a hint of a delicate Kimono-like robe. It was pretty, feminine and not causing a "Costume Earthquake".

Bradie Tennell of USA Short Program to Taeguki by Lee Dong-Jun--The music comes from  the movie of the same name, which is about two brothers who are forcibly drafted into the South Korean army at the outbreak of the Korean War. Her costume has hints of the traditional Korean Hanbok and I liked the delicate sequined flower applique. 

Free Skate to Cinderella Medley by Patrick Doyle--Bradie wore this very pretty aqua blue costume worthy of an Ice Queen Cinderella. The costume tried to give the look of a strapless ball gown with the sequined applique that stopped right at the overbust, but then had nude illusion covering the shoulders and upper torso. I also liked the delicate sprinkling of rhinestones on her arms. While both of Bradie's Short and Free Skate costumes were nice, I can't help but think they had a certain "Junior-like design"; in other words, they were a bit "Figure Skating Ready-to-Wear" as opposed to Skating COUTURE!

Karen Chen of USA Short Program to On Golden Pond by Dave Grusin--OK, when I first saw Karen in this, I thought that she was skating to "Swan Lake", "Black Swan" or "Nutcracker"...you get the picture. But no kids: She skated to "On Golden Pond". And surprisingly, I liked it! It was pretty, well made and exquisitely sequined. The costume was designed and made by Lisa McKinnon who has made a lot of figure skater's costumes. Karen debuted this costume at the 2016 NHK Trophy in late November and she wore it last season. 

Free Skate to Jalousie "Tango Tzigane" by Jacob Gade--This costume is another been there/done that costume for Karen in that she wore it last season as well. I loved it then and it still holds up now. The silver and red crystals were beautiful and the scroll-like torso detail was very pretty. But...I just wished she would have NEW costumes; I don't mind the same old/same old programs, I just want to see some semblance of NEW. I hoped/wished/prayed that for the Olympics, she would somehow have new costumes but, oh well...Not So Mucheey.

Mirai Nagasu of USA Short Program to Nocturne No. 20 in C Sharp Minor by Frederic Chopin--This Cabernet-red colored design is what Mirai wore to skate to the same music as last season's Short Program. The costume featured a stretch lace bodice/sleeves/skirt with silver rhinestone studded front bodice. It's an OK costume but I think it's the stretch lace that makes it a bit underwhelming and not-so Haute for me. 

Free Skate to Miss Saigon by Claude-Michel Schönberg: The red cheongsam silhouette, the Mandarin collar, the intricate silver and gold crystals...all added up to a very pretty costume perfect for this music. I especially liked how the sequins were put on to highlight her upper torso as well as almost "draw" a sweetheart neckline bustier. Even though it was quite simple, it was still effective...even if she pretty much messed up on her Free Skate. But then, there's always "Dancing With The Stars" for her, I guess! (Please NOOOOO!!!!)

Before I get to discussing Olympic gold medal winner Alina Zagitova's costumes, I wanted to give a special shout-out to these ladies and their costumes:

Special Costume Mentions...to (L to R)
*Brazil's Isadora Williams: Loved her lilac colored sequined Short Program design that she wore to skate to Hallelujah performed by K.D. Lang, by Lisa McKinnon, naturally!
*Dabin Choi of South Korea Short Program to Papa Can You Hear Me (soundtrack) mint-and-white costume Hanbok-inspired costume as well as her Free Skate costume to Doctor Zhivago (soundtrack) by Maurice Jarre. Both of these were outstanding and GORGEOUS! 
*Australia's  Kailani Crane and her Free Skate costume to Moulin Rouge (soundtrack). This blue and black sequined costume was beautiful and expensive looking and worthy of a mention.

And lastly...

Aiza Mambekova of Kazakhstan Short Program to Amanama by DJ Antoine ft. Timati

Hourshaker Radio Edit--Black. Asymmetrical. Sequined head crown. Enough said. 

And now, Queen Alina:

Alina Zagitova of Olympic Athlete from Russia Short Program to Black Swan--For her Short Program to Black Swan, Alina wore this GORGEOUS sequined and tulle design. I absolutely LOVED this costume--the hand-cut ballerina tutu, the silver and black paillettes, the sleeve/arm details...it was Haute Figure Skating COUTURE! 

Free Skate to Don Quixote by Leon Minkus: This was another excellent costume from figure skating phenom Alina Zagitova. She looked like a Prima Ballerina in this absolutely beautiful costume. The ballet theme started with her Short Program and reached a zenith in this red and gold sequined design for her Free Skate. But I have to say, she skated so incredible that well, she probably could have put on a red and gold garbage bag...and I would have been: OK! She wore these two costumes throughout the season and I have to say that they were so on another level (a VERY GOOD ONE!) that it was as if her team and coaches just knew that this was someone special enough to deserve the top-of-the-line costumes. 

CONGRATULATIONS to the Olympic medalists! (L to R) Russia's Evgemia Medvedeva (Silver), Alina Zagitova (gold) and Canada's Kaetlyn Osmond (bronze)