ICE STYLE.....Grand Prix de France 2023: WOMEN'S COSTUMES RECAP

Sequined Women--(L to R) Wakaba Higuchi (Japan), Anastasiia Gubanova (Georgia), Haein Lee (Korea), Nina Pinzarrone (Belgium), Grand Prix de France 2023

The third competition event of the 2023-2024 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating was the Grand Prix de France, which occurred last weekend in Anders, France. I discussed some of the costumes from the first event, Skate America, here on my BLOG (Click HERE, HERE, and HERE for those!) so now I want to talk about some of the WOMEN'S costumes from the Grand Prix de France:

Rion Sumiyoshi (Japan) Short Program--Skating her Short Program to Blood In The Water by KSHMR, Rion wore this very elaborate costume, inspired by music that blends Indian and Middle Eastern influences. Normally I'm not much of a fan of costumes featuring so much applique and embroidery but here, it gave me glimpses of an Elie Saab or Zuhair Murad Couture design. I do feel, however, that maybe she could have done without the sequined "armbands" perhaps, but overall, she played the part of a Scheherazade-like character skating to an exotic tune.

Free Skate to Enchantress by Two Steps From Hell by Thomas J. Bergersen--For her Free Skate, Rion wore this peacock/sea creature-like costume, featuring an aquamarine color palette, and sea-like sequined applique on the body and arms. I liked this look on her and was (at least) happy she didn't go overboard on the accessories (like in her Short Program costume).

Nina Pinzarrone (Belgium) Short Program--Nina wore this very pretty costume for her Short Program to Charms (from "W.E." soundtrack) by Abel Korzeniowski. The music is from the Madonna-directed movie about Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor. The costume featured tie-dye-like colorings and a splash of gorgeous jeweled sequins. It was classic and subdued rich in its design.

Free Skate to Adagio from "Spartacus" by Aram Khachaturian performed by André Rieu, The Via Appia and Dance of the Shepherd and Shepherdess by Aram Khachaturian performed by André Rieu--Nina looked every bit the Roman-Greco Goddess in the golden costume featuring multi-colored jeweled sequins and braided trim. I loved the crisis cross detail and the golden armbands added a perfect accessory finishing touch: Molto bene!

Haein Lee (Korea) Short Program--Skating her Short Program to Seirenes ("Sirens") by Christopher Tin, and Haktan Gelen Serbeti ("The Drink from God") Christopher Tin, Lee looked STUNNING in this costume. The one-shoulder-like silhouette had very expensive-looking crystals, layers of fluttery ruffles, and a fantastic nude sequined sleeve. This costume could have easily been a Paris Haute Couture gown that was altered into a figure skating costume: It's one of the most gorgeous this season!

Free Skate to Les sans-papiers (from "Notre Dame de Paris") by Riccardo Cocciante
Vivre by Hélène Ségara, Riccardo Cocciante, and Danse mon Esmeralda (from "Notre Dame de Paris") by Riccardo Cocciante, performed by Garou--Lee nods to the French musical based on Victor Hugo's novel, Hunchback of Notre Dame, wearing an aubergine-colored costume with Period-like corset details, draping, and off-the-shoulder accents. I also liked this costume for its blend of Period costume with modern gown-style sensibilities...and the gold coin hip belt was fab as well!

Wakaba Higuchi (Japan) Short Program--Skating to Never Tear Us Apart by Bishop Briggs, Andrew Farriss, Michael Hutchence (INXS), Wakaba vibed a little bit of her inner rockstar in this showstopping black with silver sequins costume. I liked the way the crystals were done in the dress and the semi-sheerness of it. What I didn't like was that nude inset panel at the center front. I know that there needs to be something there (or does it?) but it looked heavy and too light for her skin tone.

Free Skate to Fix You and Paradise by Coldplay--Wakaba looked great in this blue costume while skating to Coldplay. I loved the bold color and especially, the sequin work. I especially liked that side detail that looked like a moon...or was it some sort of a star? And I know she also had a nude inset at her neckline in this costume as well but it was smaller and blended better with the costume.

Lastly...

Anastasiia Gubanova (Georgia) Short Program--Skating to the French song Mojo by Claire Laffut, Anastasiia gets the SASS AWARD in terms of look and costume at the Grand Prix de France 2023. The minute she stepped on the ice, she got my attention with this skin-tight red bodysuit featuring one sleeve, a mock-neck, and matching red crystals. The costume went PERFECTLY with the sassy-catchy music. 

Free Skate to Caruso by Lucio Dalla, performed by Lara Fabian--For her Free Skate, she chose a costume that was quite different from her Short Program look. She went for a more "classic" figure skating attire, wearing a white sequined outfit with gold embellishments that perfectly embodied the essence of an "Ice Queen". It was a beautiful and delicate choice that perfectly matched the music she skated to.