ICE STYLE.....NHK TROPHY Grand Prix of Japan 2020 FIGURE SKATING COSTUMES RECAP: MEN & ICE DANCE!

NHK Trophy 2020 Ice Dance & Men Costumes--(L to R) Kana Muramoto and Daisuke Takahashi (far left, second from left), Yuma Kagiyama, and Kazuki Tomono--NHK Trophy 2020

Finishing up on my "ICE STYLE" Figure Skating Costumes Recap of this past weekend's 2020 NHK Trophy Grand Prix of Japan, it's time to discuss some of the MEN and ICE DANCE costumes...

Let's start with the MEN:

Yuma Kagiyama of Japan Short Program to Vocussion by Yo-Yo Ma & The Silkroad Ensemble, Rabih Abou-Khalil--For his Short program, Yuma wore this outfit comprised of black pants and a white shirt. The shirt had gold and silver fabric details, along with a revere collar-like lapel. The overall look reminded me of an outfit a young violin or piano player would wear for orchestral performance. It was OK but I wish the top looked more luxe and less polyester-y.

COSTUME SCORE: 7.75

Yuma Kagiyama of Japan Free Skate to Jake Enters His Avatar World  (from "Avatar" soundtrack) by James Horner, The Bioluminescence of the Night  (from "Avatar" soundtrack) by James Horner, and Gathering All the Na'vi Clans for battle (from "Avatar" soundtrack) by James Horner--For his Free Skate to the music from the movie "Avatar", Yuma went with this emerald green outfit that included a long sleeve top and matching color pants. I liked that it was an entire look, as opposed to the oh-so-boring "top and black pants" outfit that male skaters wear. I also liked that it had some detail down the front of the torso with the shiny satin panel and crystal accents. Besides that not-so-appealing nude illusion panel down the front of his neck (why doesn't the color match his skin??), this was an appropriate costume hinting at the "Avatar" green landscape.

SCORE: 8.00

Kazuki Tomono of Japan Free Skate to Ascension/Nature boy from "Moulin Rouge" performed by Ewan Mcgregor, and El Tango De Roxanne from "Moulin Rouge" by Jose Feliciano, Ewan Mcgregor & Jacek Koman--Kazuki skated his Free Skate to the music from "Moulin Rouge", looking like the sexy version of Harry Zidler, the owner of Moulin Rouge. There were the usual "Moulin Rouge" colors of red, black, with gold (in sequins), but done in a very Figure Skating Costume manner to command sleekness as well as stage presence. I would have liked more of the top's details in the pants somehow as well, maybe down the sides, but other than that, this was a good effort.

SCORE: 9.00

Kao Miura of Japan Free Skate to A Way of Life (from "The Last Samurai" soundtrack) by Hans Zimmer, Spectres in the Fog  (from "The Last Samurai" soundtrack) by Hans Zimmer, A Hard Teacher  (from "The Last Samurai" soundtrack) by Hans Zimmer, Red Warrior  (from "The Last Samurai" soundtrack) by Hans Zimmer, and The Way of the Sword (from "The Last Samurai" soundtrack) by Hans Zimmer--When Kao first stepped on the ice, I sat up and took notice. First and foremost, because this was a TOTAL COSTUME MOMENT. The red and black design was inspired by "the Last Samurai" and you can see this in the cap sleeve details, Obi-like waistband, and pointed peplum. It was like a Samurai "Mini-Me" costume that worked fine for little Kao. In addition, I also loved the gold sequin work in the collar and throughout the top. Nice job!

SCORE: 9.45

ICE DANCE COSTUME HIGHLIGHTS:

Misato Komatsubara and Tim Koleto of Japan Rhythm Dance to Blues: Dreamgirls (from “Dreamgirls” soundtrack) by Henry Krieger and Tom Eyen; Swing:  One Night Only ( from “Dreamgirls”) by Henry Krieger and Tom Eyen performed by Jennifer Hudson; Disco: I Meant You No Harm/Jimmy’s Rap (from “Dreamgirls” soundtrack) by Henry Krieger and Tom Eyen performed by Eddie Murphy; Disco: One Night Only (Disco Version) (from “Dreamgirls” soundtrack) by Henry Krieger and Tom Eyen performed by Anika Noni Rose, Beyoncé & Sharon Leal--For their Rhythm Dance to "Dreamgirls" music, Komatsubara and Koleto wore these costumes above. The razzle-dazzle flashy looks were very "Dreamgirls" in their styling, design, and details. Koleto wore a snazzy silver tuxedo jacket, along with black pants and a colorful bow tie, and Komatsubara shined in her stage-perfect pumpkin orange dress featuring beautiful sequined fringe. 

SCORE: 9.25

Misato Komatsubara and Tim Koleto of Japan Free Dance to Une histoire d'amour by Francis Lai performed by Mireille Mathieu and No Title by Hugo Chouinard--For their Free Dance, Komatsubara and Koleto looked delicate and romantic, in these lilac-hued costumes. Misato wore an ombre shaded dress with a nude illusion panel and sparkling silver crystals. Koleto's matching color top was nice, especially with the addition of a 3D "leaf"-like applique that was also seen on her costume. If there's anything I would suggest is maybe to add a subtle sequined headband/hair accessory on her, to give her even more of a defining presence.

SCORE: 8.75

Kana Muramoto and Daisuke Takahashi of Japan Rhythm Dance to The Business of Love (from "The Mask"), Let the Good Times Roll by Fleecie Moore and Sam Theard, arranged by Alexander Goldstein, and Hey Pachuco! (from "The Mask")--All eyes were on 2010 Olympic bronze medalist, 2010 World Champion, and 5-time Japanese national champion Daisuke Takahashi, who made his Ice Dance Debut at the 2020 NHK Trophy with his partner Kana Muramoto. They skated their Rythm Dance to music from "The Mask" in these UBER FABULOUS costumes: I LOVED THEM! Both Kana and Daisuke were the STARS here, equally enhancing and supporting each other with their A++ costumes. I loved her fringed bronze-copper look with gorgeous crystal work on the torso, and Daisuke's highlighter yellow pants, black suspenders, white shirt, and geo-bold tie ensemble was OUTSTANDING as well. Excellent.

SCORE: 10 (!)

Kana Muramoto and Daisuke Takahashi of Japan Free Dance to La Bayadere Act 2 No.29 Andante by Leon Minkus, La Bayadere  Act 2 No.30 Tempo Di Valse by Leon Minkus, La Bayadere No.37 Allegretto by Leon Minkus, La Bayadere No.39 Vivace by Leon Minkus--Before seeing their Free Dance costumes, I wondered how Kana and Daisuke would outdo themselves-costume wise. And they made me proud. These costumes for their Free Skate to the classic "La Bayadere" ballet were gorgeous, elegant, sublimely luxe. Daisuke looked perfect in his wine-colored jacket with gold-and-silver embroidered trim, but Kana was a beautiful Prima Ballerina in her rose-pink one-shoulder dress with the gathered torso, nude illusion midriff, and rich jeweled sequin details throughout. The crown was just the "icing on the cake"; she looked like a Temple Princess Dancer worthy to only dance with...Japanese Olympic skater Daisuke Takahashi.

SCORE: 9.99

Click below to watch the FREE DANCE of Kana Muramoto and Daisuke Takahashi of Japan from NHK Trophy 2020: