COSTUME SPARKLE: Costumes from skaters (L to R) Kaori Sakamoto of Japan, Alexandra Trusova of Russia, Shoma Uno of Japan, and Vincent Zhou of USA--Skate America 2021 Las Vegas, NV USA
This past weekend was the first of the ISU 2021-2022 Grand Prix of Figure Skating competition series, the 2021 Guaranteed Rate Skate America. Held in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Orleans Arena, it was time to see international skaters and their Olympics season programs, as well as their costumes! Let's take a look at some of them, starting with the WOMEN:
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Alexandra Trusova Russia Short Program: Trusova skated her Short Program to Benediction And Dream (from "Frida" soundtrack) by Elliot Goldenthal, performed by Lila Downs, Solo tu (from Frida soundtrack) by Elliot Goldenthal, Alcoba Azul (from Frida soundtrack) by Elliot Goldenthal. Her costume was this red-and-deep blue design that was an obvious nod to the "Frida" film. The colors were strong, fiery and the off-the-shoulder detail created a nice look on Trusova. Her red-dyed hair was, in addition, complementary to the entire look.
I liked how they changed the costume from the original design inspiration to suit figure skating. I think it was a wise choice to alter the color scheme from nude to black and red. The black and red colors instantly tell you that this is Cruella! I also like that they kept the newspaper draped detail at the waist and eliminated the upper portion. While I LOVE a dramatic neckline, this certainly would not have assisted Trusova in completing her difficult jumps!
Trusova's dogs' names were sewn onto her costume! Yes, darlings, those are her dogs' names framed in crystals surrounding her torso. LOVE.
Free Skate to Nessun Dorma (from "Turandot") by Giacomo Puccini: This was another delicate, very pretty costume from the Russian skater, this time for her Free Skate to the iconic Turandot aria. The lilac background played off the strong violet sequin-and-ombre shaded embellishment. I appreciated the very subtle Asian hand-painting motif as well as a feather here and there. I also loved her strong eye makeup that perfectly matched the colors of the costume.
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Free Skate to Call Me Cruella (from "Cruella" soundtrack) by Florence + The Machine, The True Story of Cruella's Birth (from "Cruella" soundtrack) by Nicholas Britell, I Wanna Be Your Dog (from "Cruella" soundtrack) by John McCrea: I'm a big fan of "Cruella" and especially the movie's costumes so I was excited to see this costume. From the moment one saw it, you KNEW it was "Cruella"; the black-and-white...the blood-like red accents....the silver sequin sparkles...it all reflected the character, film, and music, but in a way that enhanced the presentation.
But the BEST PART was wonderfully hidden within the costume:
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Amber Glenn USA Short Program: Skating to Circles by Greta Svabo Bech, arranged by Misha Ge, Experience by Ludovico Einaudi, arranged by Misha Ge, Glenn wore this burgundy-hued costume featuring nude illusion sides, hundreds of crystals, and very pretty ombre-dyed arms. The color and halter neck-like silhouette worked well for her and this skate.
Free Skate to Bigger by Beyonce, I Was Here by Beyonce: Of the two costumes Starr wears for her routines, this Free Skate one is my favorite (also designed by Lisa McKinnon). I love a draped one-shoulder "Grecian Goddess" moment and this is what Starr was vibing, whether she knew it or not...or more like "Beyonce Grecian Goddess" perhaps! The design was fabulous and the sequin details were expensive-looking. I also loved the nude illusion panels in the torso and sleeve area. Besides the ivory color looking great on her, I ESPECIALLY appreciated the RIGHT COLOR of nude illusion that matched Andrews' gorgeous skin color. Well done!
Satoko Miyahara Japan Short Program: Miyahara skated her Short Program to Song for the Little Sparrow by Charles Dumont & Michel Vaucaire, arranged by Abel Korzeniowski wearing this very pretty costume. The design, done in lavender featured a draped strap neckline and a very embellished upper torso. While the look may not have been directional or fashion-forward, it was elegant and expensive-looking.
Kaori Sakamoto Japan Short Program: Season after season, it is becoming evident that Kaori likes to embrace the "Fashionista" in her when it comes to her costumes (LOVED the "Matrix" one from the last couple of seasons!) This season, she's back, starting with the look for her Short Program to Now We Are Free (from "Gladiator") by Lisa Gerrard, Hans Zimmer arranged by Cedric Tour. This costume features multiple shades of gray and had elements of "Gladiator"-esque details with the arm banding and draping. I loved the directional style and oversized jewel embellishment on the side and shoulder. As a total package, it was modern, chic, and fashion-forward.
You Young Korea Short Program: Korea's You Young skated her Short Program to Whirling Winds (The Leftovers soundtrack) by Ludovico Einaudi. While the soundtrack/music is from a supernatural mystery HBO drama, there was nothing supernatural or mysterious about this very pretty and elegant costume. She looked like an imaginary night sky fairy in this deep violet design, featuring an asymmetrical hem, ruffled sleeve, and quite stunning sequin work.
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Photo by: Robin Ritoss
Starr Andrews USA Short Program: Andrews skated to At Last by Mack Gordon, Harry Warren, performed by Starr Andrews. First off, yes, you read correctly: Starr sings the music in her Short Program. Now, let's discuss her costume. I liked this nude and blue plunging neckline costume designed by Lisa McKinnon. It featured an asymmetrical hem, STUNNING sequin details throughout, and sky blue ombre dyeing focusing on her midriff. The costume reminded me of a figure skating version of a Miss Universe-style gown, especially all those on-trend "nude" ones that are very popular as of late.
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Free Skate to No More Fight Left In Me by Imany, Armand Amar, Tris by Ellie Goulding, Junkie XL: For her Free Skate, Sakamoto wore this royal blue costume that made a strong color impression, especially against the white of the ice rink. Just as in the Short Program costume, the side jeweled sequin detail was utilized here to a nice effect, providing a nucleus to the "jutting out"-like stripes enveloping the design. I personally didn't think it was necessary to add the little crystals in the bustline especially since there was already so much else happening, but overall, I liked this costume.
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Jimmy Ma USA Short Program: Skating to Black Swan (based on Swan Lake by Petr I. Tchaikovski), Jimmy Ma, wore this black-and-white top and shirt, with overt "Black Swan"-like style references. The outfit included skin-tight black pants and a black-and-white stretch top with feather-like crystal trim detail. I liked the feather/sequin work and also appreciated the "washed" effect of the black on the shirt, adding a layer of texture to the costume.
Score: 8.60
Nathan Chen USA Short Program: Not really known for his costumes, Nathan continued his non-costume consistency for this season, starting here with his Short Program look to Eternity by Benjamin Clementine. Nathan wore black pants with a long sleeve gray-ish top that featured a camo-like hand-painted effect on it. Not much else I could say about this. It was blah.
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Free Skate to Selection of Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: For Nathan, this was a slight improvement, in the costume space. Once again he wore the black pants but this time, he changed his shirt to this stretch knit white, violet, and black ombre dyed one. I liked the color combinations and the effect created by the dyeing. The black at the lower part of the shirt provided sleek continuity blending in with the pants. An improvement. Baby steps.
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Vincent Zhou USA Short Program: For his Short Program to Vincent (Starry Starry Night) by Don McLean, Josh Groban, Zhou not only reprised last season's music but also the same costume; I was a fan then and still am now. I love the delicate draping on the jersey knit top, the shading as well as the vertically placed crystals. It's a beautiful costume for the beautiful music.
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Free Skate to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (soundtrack) by Tan Dun, Rising Sun by Kiyoshi Yoshida: Reprising is a theme for Zhou, in music and costumes. Here for his Free Skate, he brought back his "Crouching Tiger. Hidden Dragon" music/program he skated to back in the 2018-2019 season. He also wore the same costume. Well, I am guessing it's not exactly the same since from the looks of it, he has grown "a little" since 3-4 years ago! The costume is great with its kimono-like/wrap jacket styling, red bias sleeve hem trim, black belt, Mandarin-like collar, and great sequin work...
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Teenager Vincent: Here he is at the 2019 Four Continents Championships in the same (or XXS version) of the costume!
Shoma Uno Japan Short Program: Shoma Uno skated his Short Program to Oboe Concerto by A. Marcello, Oboe Concerto (Concerto In C Minor For Cello) by A. Vivaldi. This was BY FAR, my FAVORITE Men's costume! I literally gasped, when I saw it--it was beautiful in its high-end style and silhouette...that side cowl drape was BEYOND...and the crystals on the top were superb! The deep midnight blue color whispered "Evening Elegance". It was blurring the lines between masculine and feminine and really showing people how to do costumes on a higher fashion level. I bow down to Shoma and especially Mathieu Caron, the designer, and creator of this Haute costume.
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Free Skate to Bolero (Boléro IV New Breath) by Maurice Ravel, performed by Tomotaka Okamoto: Caron also created this gorgeous costume worn by Uno for his Free Skate to Ravel's "Bolero". This black and gold ensemble was giving me Toreador Couture vibes with its cropped bolero vest, gold side trim crystal detail, and super sleek lines. It was modern, stylish and yet, still had enough costume flair.
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**UP NEXT: Skate America 2021 PAIRS and ICE DANCE COSTUMES!
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