ICE STYLE.....SKATE AMERICA 2023 COSTUMES: THE WOMEN!

Fashion Ladies--(L to R) Amber Glenn (USA) Short Program, Loena Hendrickx (Belgium) Short program, Amber Glenn (USA) Free Skate, Isabeau Levito (USA) Short program, 2023 Skate America

This past weekend was the 2023 SKATE AMERICA, the first event of the 2023-2024 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating competition series, held in Allen Texas. Naturally, that means it is time to recap some of the COSTUMES!!! Let's start with the WOMEN:

Amber Glenn (USA) Short Program: Skating to Heads Will Roll by Elephant Music, Yeah Yeah Yeahs Amber wore this fabulous black with silver sequined jumpsuit. The jumpsuit skimmed across her body elongating her already long and lean figure. It featured side and back cut-outs and a plunging neckline assisted by a nude illusion panel. I loved the rhinestone placements throughout the jumpsuit. To me, it was giving a combination of Elvis-meets-Mariachi vibes. Love.

Free Skate to Exogenisis: Symphony Part 3 Redemption by Muse--For her Free Skate, of which she became the 6th American woman to land a triple Axel (!), She wore a lilac and nude-colored costume that was encrusted with sequins at the bodice. I thought it was a beautiful costume that perfectly complemented the music she skated to, creating an emotional and romantic vibe. I appreciated the gathered torso draping and ombre effect, as well as the slashed skirt. All in all, it was a stunning costume that added to her performance.

Isabeau Levito (USA) Short Program--For her Short Program to Yearning by Raul Ferrando. As described by the Argentinian composer, the music itself has a strong Middle Eastern, Sufi, Belly Dancing vibe, which went well with her "snake charmer" bejeweled sequined costume. In fact, her hand was the actual head of the snake, albeit a fabulous sequined couture snake:

Isabeau with Jason Brown at the Japan Open 2023 in October, wearing the same costume.

I loved the golden color and ombre shading and how the snake wraps around her body...but what really costume-impressed me was the jeweled sequined work: OUTSTANDING! This was an HAUTE figure skating costume for sure.

Free Skate to The White Crow (soundtrack) Ilan Eshkeri, Lisa Batiashvili--For her Free Skate, Isabeau donned this black, gray & white costume that was very "Couture Black Swan". I loved the heavy "feather"-like detail in the upper torso and shoulders, along with the rhinestones throughout. At first, I thought that maybe the multi-flounce paneled skirt portion might be too heavy for Isabeau's body frame, but I liked it; it added flourish and movement, and finished off this chic ballerina look.

Loena Hendrickx (Belgium) Short Program--Skating to I'm nin'alu (Mor Avrahami Remix) by Ofra Haza and Living For Love by Madonna (a similar vibe to Isabeau's Short Program Belly Dancing/Middle Eastern-esque music...but with a Madonna twist!), Loena really pumped up the uber-sexy belly dancer motif with this bright red costume. The costume featured dangling sequined fringe and large mirrored paillettes, as well as criss-cross straps and an exposed back. Not only did she look AMAZING but the costume was very impacting and right for the music. What do the kids say? "Fire!" Yeah, she was.

Free Skate to Break My Soul (The Queens Remix) by Beyoncé and Madonna--Skating to Madonna, once again (with Beyoncé, of course!), Loena wore this black and silver sequined costume, continuing this season's costume fabulousness that started with that high-voltage red number. The entire look was sheer except for her sequined covered bust and solid black skirt section. I really liked the plethora of jeweled sequins in the arms as well as on her upper torso. She looked like a principal back-up dancer for Madonna...or Beyoncé...in this look! Congrats Loena for rocking BOTH of your costumes for this new 2023-2024 Grand Prix Season; a FAB start!

Mone Chiba (Japan) Short Program--Skating to Les Yeux Noirs (Dark Eyes) performed by Pomplamoose Music, a tango-inspired tune, Mone wore this costume above. the design had Spanish/Gypsy elements with the sequined lace-like top, the shawl-wrapped skirt, and red rose applique details so I guess this could also be deemed tango-like. It's sassy and hey, if she wants to skate to "Carmen" in the future, she can also re-wear this!

Niina Petrokina (Poland) Short Program--Skating to the smooth and very thumping music of Run by Marvin Brooks, Bri Bryant, 2WEI, Niina wore this black costume featuring silver rhinestones. The look was rocker/punk lite with its chest straps, double-slit skirt, and gloves. In addition, it was very Pat Benatar-meets-Joan Jett 80's.

Hana Yoshida (Japan) Free Skate--Skating to the haunting and sweeping music of Shakuhachi and
La Terre Vue Du Ciel by Armand Amar, Hana wore this costume above. The look had a white/silver gray ombre effect and featured oval appliques and rhinestones throughout. She finished it all off with contrasting black and red gloves. Not particularly sure of the reason behind the black and red gloves or the somewhat "Swan Lake"-adjacent costume design but, at the very least, it caught my attention.

WHICH COSTUME WAS YOUR FAVORITE?