Figure Skating Fashion Minute: Cup of China--The Men!

The Boys in China

Jeremy Abbott of USA: Gold Medal Winner Jeremy Abbott at ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Cup of China 2011-2012

The Grand Prix of Figure Skating Cup of China occurred this weekend and so, naturally, I scoured the web for all the photos I could find of the skaters and their lovely--and sometimes not-so-lovely, costumes. Because after all, that's what I do! In m past Cup of China posting, I wrote of the Cha-Cha Krazee Ice Dancers HERE, and now, we are onto The Men.

Here were my Faves:

Nobunari Oda of Japan: Second Place Nobunari Oda skated his Free Skate to The Umbrellas of Cherbourg by Michel Legrand. The 1964 musical (all the dialogue is sung)--starring the great Catherine Deneuve is about a Madame and her daughter who sell umbrellas in Paris. She falls in love, becomes pregnant, and so on and so forth (Wikipedia it kids!)--What his black with royal blue jeweled crystals very fitted double breasted suit has to do with that, I have no idea.

Other than, well, he looks rather "Parisian" and chic! It's a very interesting idea for a costume. I would just think that it is so hard to move in a tailored suit, but I am sure the amount of Stretch in that suit was A LOT! (I hope so for Oda). The crystal detail on the jacket is quite exquisite. I want a jacket JUST like that to wear to one of my red carpet/TV appearances!

For his Short Program, Nobunari skated to "Memphis Soul Stew" by King Curtis. His costume included the ubiquitous tight black pants used by most of the men, and a multi-colored very bright printed shirt. The colors on the shirt were great! I always do love when one of the male competitors, first of all A.) Doesn't BORE me to Skating tears, with a vest-and-shirt ensemble, and B.) Gives me COLOR!!! It was an interesting modern and abstract print that went well with his music and skating.

Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan: 17-year-old Hanyu had some trouble in his Free Skate performance but was still one of my favorites. Also, one of my favorites: his incredible costume. He skated to "Kissing You" (Love theme from Romeo and Juliet) and "Escape", both by Craig Armstrong. His costume tried to vibe the Shakespearean Romeo character. Whoever designed and created it, did a FABULOUS job! The top was Romantic and has the essence of a Period costume blouse, but it was very modern with its horizontal ruching and ombre color effect. But the best part were the jeweled straps across his body: INCREDIBLE!

I've been saying (in some of my past Costume Critiques) why doesn't anyone do jeweled/ Swarovski crystal straps in a Men's costume (as opposed to BORING faux leather), well, I think someone heard me! (or read me, that is).

In his Short Program, Yuzuru Hanyu skated to "Etude in D minor, op. 8, no. 12". Here again, Hanyu gave the audience some visual costume "candy" with this multi-hued blue chiffon and velvet with ombre black details as well as crystals and diamante's throughout. Now this is a top Johnny Weir would LOVE! And actually, the reason I think these costumes work so well for him is he has a very lyrical quality to his skate, not unlike Johnny Weir.

Nan Song of China: Nan Song got the Bronze overall at home in the Cup of China this weekend. His Free Skate costume did feature two of my most dreaded Men's Costume Elements: a vest and a dress shirt. But...this was a different kind of vest-and-shirt ensemble. Therefore: Me Likey. The silver-and-black sequined vest with the purple crystal-encrusted band-collared blouse--sorry, I mean shirt--was very Peter Allen "The Boy From Oz" Fab (even though that wasn't the music). And yes, that's why he gets "Nick V Figure Skating Costume Points"!


Jeremy Abbott of the USA: Finally, it's Gold Medal Winner Jeremy Abbott. His Free Skate was absolutely GORGEOUS. Sublime. I was so moved, I even Tweeted him (Hi, am I a sixteen year old girl??? Don't answer that!). EVERY single second of that Free Skate was not wasted. It was lyrical, beautiful and strong. OK, sorry, let's get to his Free Skate Costume...

He skated to "Exogenesis: Sympony Part 3" by Muse. It was black, simple, elegant...just like his skate. He wore those basic black pants, and a fitted stretch long-sleeve top with a horizontal "V" and black crystals throughout. Normally, I would have huff'ed and puff'ed about a costume like this requiring, well, more "Umph!"...but no huney, it was just right!

*Up Next , More Cup of China Costumes--The Ladies and Pairs!!

Figure Skating Costumes: The World Figure Skating Championships Moscow: The Men!!

The Dandy Men...Ruffled Collars, Brocade Vests, Sequins and Carnival Cruise Dance Troupe Colors!!!

Go Canada: Patrick Chan of Canada wins Gold at the 2011 World Figure Skating Championships

The 2011 World Figure Skating Championships just finished in Moscow at the Megasport Ice Rink in Moscow Russia. There was a time there when no one knew if the Worlds would even happen since originally, they were scheduled to take place in Tokyo Japan. Following the massive earthquake and tsunami, the International Skating Union had to come out with a statement which read: "The Japanese Skating Federation regretfully and reluctantly declines hosting the Championships."
Soon after this announcement, the ISU had received bids to stage the event from Russia (Moscow), Canada (Vancouver, British Columbia), the United States (Colorado Springs, Colorado or Lake Placid, New York), Finland (Turku), Croatia and Austria.
And Moscow won and they put on a great show (Kudos to Moscow!).

With the watchful eye of Prime Minister Putin (seen above NOT cracking a smile, as usual), the Championships took place. Well, of course, as you know I LOVE me some Figure Skating Competitions--yes, for the sport which I am a fan of, but mainly for the COSTUMES!
So, here I begin my "Nick Verreos Worlds Figure Skating Costumes Report" and I start with THE MEN (naturally!):

Patrick Chan of Canada:

Patrick Chan of Canada won a Gold for his near-perfect skating and as you can see above, he was just a "tad" bit excited. He set new records for both his Short Program and Free Skate. In terms of Costumes (which is what we REALLY care about here!), he wore the same costumes for the World Championships that he featured at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2010/2011 Cup of Russia back in November of last year. For his Free Skate to "The Phantom of the Opera" by Andrew Lloyd Webber, he wore a metallic brocade vest with fitted jacket and white bow-tied shirt underneath.

And for his Short Program to "Take Five" by Paul Desmond, he wore a black vest with contrast white piping and sequined "Argyle" diamond details in the back--finished off with sequined-studded "tuxedo" pants. He is serious and all "business" from the front, but...

A Sequined Party in the back!

And now onto the Costume Changing Boysssssss...
Daisuke Takahashi of Japan:

In contrast with Parick Chan most of the other top male skaters did change their costumes (which I was happy about but a bit strange for just the last event of the season). Japan's Daisuke Takahashi--he, of the KRAZEE coiffed and hair-sprayed hair (do Japanese girls like that??)-- changed BOTH his Short Program and Free Skate costumes. Same music, different costumes.

Last year's Free Skate Costume looked like this above: Billowing bishop sleeves in sheer black with diamantes, and a double-breasted vest in red and black. While for the 2011 World Figure Skating Championships last week, Takahashi wore this:

Notice something "kinda" similar? Same Costume, but different "Color Way" kids! So, if you want to get technical, it's really still the same costume.

Now, for his Short Program last year at Skate America 2010, he wore this colorful and very "A Night At The Copacabana" ensemble. Well darlings, I think he and his "people" didn't think it was "Latin" enough because this past week, he wore THIS:

He went from looking like the Conductor of a Band in Havana Cuba to the "sexually questionable" dancer on a Carnival Cruise to San Juan Puerto Rico! And I for one, LOVE IT! First of all: The color and prints are FAB-U-LOUS!!! And I especially love that he embraces the costumes along with the accompanying music. He doesn't do it 65%, he goes 110%!!

Nobunari Oda of Japan:

Now, onto another Japanese Skater, baby-faced Nobunari Oda--He also changed his costumes. At Skate America 2010 last year, he wore this above for his Free Skate--a white "blouse" with a "hint" of black applique and an asymmetrical ruffle collar/neckline.
But for the 2011 Worlds...

He got rid of the cascading ruffle and added more black embroidered applique, which I think was a wise decision. The shirt has much more of an impact now. I think he might be learning from his country-mate Takahashi: Take it from 65% to 110% darling! He did, in his own baby-faced way.

Takahiko Kozuka of Japan:

The other top Japanese skater, Takahiko Kozuka also did (kind of) a Costume Change, when it came to his Short Program. At last year's ISU Grand Prix Final in Beijing China, he wore a pinstriped vest and pants, along with a "retro" printed shirt.

Well, for the 2011 Worlds, he thankfully got rid of that vest as seen above. I am NOT a fan of those ubiquitous vests for Male Figure Skaters (Boys: It's getting TIRED!!!). And exposed the shirt that was hiding underneath in all its "What Thrift Store Did He Get That From?" glory.

Brian Joubert of France:

Hunk of all Figure Skating Hunks (I mean SERIOUSLY, look at THAT...Upper Leg Muscle!). Anyhow--Monsieur Joubert changed costumes for his Free Skate to Symphony No. 9 by Beethoven. Above is his new Free Skate Costume, a powder blue stretch lace (now you KNOW you are a so-called "Real Man" if you are comfortable enough with your masculinity to wear POWDER BLUE STRETCH LACE!) plunging-neck top with UBER tight blue pants. To be honest, I'm not so much a fan of this new costume. He looks like a Ballet Dancer from a third-rate ballet company in Suburbia USA, but (at least) it is an improvement from...

This (above) costume which he last wore at the ISU Figure Skating Championships in March 2010 in Torino Italy. The whole top looks like a costume reject from Mad Max-meets-Braveheart. Brown and muted mustard have NEVER been my favorite of color combinations, darlings.

And...Finally: An Honorable Costume Mention Goes to: Amodio Florent of France

A Futuristic Mexican "Mariachi" featuring a studded vest with CHAPS!!! And a Michael Jackson Tribute in Blue Sequins, suspenders, and fingerless gloves. It just doesn't get any better! Enough said. Thank you Florent. Merci.