Figure Skating Fashion Minute: Rostelecom Cup/Cup of Russia--The Ladies

Babushka NOT!!!

Last weekend was the Rostelecom Cup/Cup of Russia and yes, naturally I've already discussed The Pairs as well as The Men, so even though I'm a week late, I still feel it was necessary to talk about The Ladies--and more importantly, the costumes I haven't given my "Nick Two Cents" on...So...here we go--The Ladies of the Cup of Russia 2011:

Sofia Biryukova of Russia: Let's begin with the Russian ladies (since it is, after all, The Cup of Russia)--Somehow, Sofia Biryukova, this lovely skater, has "escaped" my "Nick Costume Review". Who knows why? But better late than never. For her Free Skate at the Rostelecom Cup 2011-2012, Sofia skated to Puccini's "Turandot"--an opera about a cold-hearted princess in China and her suitor who falls in love with her. I absolutely LOVE her "Royal Blue" Chinoiserie-inspired costume featuring gold flower-and-leaf applique. The asymmetrical/twisting torso-neckline with its gold binding was superb. This girl ended up Fourth in the overall standings in Moscow, but to me, this was a First-Rate costume.

For her "Seven Years in Tibet" Short Program, Sofia's costume consisted of a very elegant and restrained black illusion, chiffon and stretch satin ensemble. For this music and theme, she could have gone a whole other route with the costume (maybe another version of her Free Skate costume), but she didn't. And I'm glad. This showed stylistic restraint, remained somewhat true to the music and still, got my "High Fashion Nick Points"!

Alena Leonova of Russia: I've discussed Alena's "Pirates of the Caribbean" costume to her Short Program at this season's Grand Prix already but I haven't talked about her Free Skate to "Adagio For Strings" and "Requiem for a Tower" costume. It was quite a number--all black, with caviar-beading detail, applique and sculpted embroidery, as well as an asymmetrical nude illusion front torso neck and back.

It was like "Black Swan: The DIVA Chapter". I also liked this costume. The way the applique "crawls" up her neck is fab and yes, all that different embellishment could have gone a "Wackety-wack" route of too-much trim but it didn't. I think it was smart to keep all of that in the same black color tones.

Haruka Imai of Japan: I've talked about Haruka before during this Grand Prix season, however, I have not talked about her Free Skate costume in particular. She skated to a modern arrangement of "My Fair Lady" in the costume seen above. Now, everyone (and her mother) knows those iconic costumes from that film:

Audrey Hepburn looked REGAL in this ivory and crystal detailed "Going to the Ball" gown as well as...

The black-and-white ensemble above. Haruka Imai's costume of fuchsia with black heavy lace overlay had NOTHING of either of the two iconic Hepburn looks. Maybe that was the point but I just didn't "get it". I would have rather she had worn something that had "hints" of one of those two iconic ensembles from the movie. Otherwise, really, what's the point? What do you guys think?

Amelie Lacoste of Canada: Amelie Lacoste is one skater that somehow also has missed my "Nick Skating Costumes Two Cents". So, let's get to it: for her Free Skate to "The Sea and Sinbad's Ship", "The Story of the Kalender Prince", "The Young Prince and the Princess Festival at Baghdad" --all from "Scheherazade"--she wore a carmine red costume with golden embroidery neckline trim that gave hints of that Mid-Eastern/Orient Queen. Where I had a problem was her haphazard 80's work-out hair. Her costume: Nice. Her hair: Mess.

For her Short Program to "Ojos Negros", she wore a black costume ("Ojos Negros" means Black Eyes, in case you didn't know). In addition to the black color costume base, it also had crystals strewn throughout the neckline, straps and bodice. On a scale of 1-10 for Costume, I would give her a FIVE. This was "I can get this at a Bear Mountain Ski Shop OFF SEASON ON SALE!". We've seen the center front diamante straps before in many many skating costumes, in many many prom dresses, in many tacky beauty pageants...can we get a little more original?

Agnes Zawadszki of the USA: Agnes...how you and your costumes have escaped me? This American skater skated to "Harlem Nocturne" and "Whatever Lola Wants" for the Cup of Russia 2011-2012. Her costume was a lilac and nude illusion look with mini crystals and featuring a five-layer diamante choker. She looked like a Princess in this; kind of like a Lilac Swarovski Crystal Bird. In other words: me LIKEY!

Rachael Flatt of the USA: Finally, I will conclude with another American skater, Rachael Flatt. She skated her Free Skate to Stravinski's "The Firebird" wearing a dynamic and rather show-stopping costume. The lipstick red, gold, and silver ensemble SCREAMED "Firebird" and I especially loved the wrist "Flames/Feather" detail. This is an example of a costume that went perfectly with the music and added to the overall theatricality and presentation of her skate. Too bad she didn't make it higher in terms of overall scores (she was 9th out of ten skaters at Rostelecom Cup).

Figure Skating Fashion Minute: Trophée Eric Bompard 2011--The Ladies!

Vive La France...

Continuing with my Trophee Eric Bompard/Grand Prix of France Season 2011-2012 Costume "Two Cents"...I've discussed The Men, The Ice Dancers, so now, we're onto The Ladies:

Elizaveta Tuktamisheva of Russia: For her Free Skate to "Besame Mucho" and "Caravan", Gold Medalist Elizaveta's costume consisted of a black with silver crystals ensemble that gave the essence of a "mysterious" and slightly elegant woman. Even though...Elizaveta is only FOURTEEN years old, this costume matured her and in a good way. Because of her very young age, she probably should stay away from bright bubblegum pinks or canary yellows and too many diamantes for fear of crossing that "Toddlers & Tiaras" line. This black costume worked for the skate and the music. BTW: She is a little "Jumping Diva" in terms of her performance. She's like the Russian Tara Lipinski!

For her "Tango" Short Program, she wears a red fluttery-sleeved number with silver sequins and beading with a silhouette that's appropriate to her very young age. Brighter in color than her Free Skate costume, adding just the right amount of Latin Fire!

Sonia Lafuente of Spain: Gorgeous Sonia Lafuente got 7th place during her time in France at Trophee Eric Bompard. For her Free Skate, she skated to "Concierto de Aranjuez", which of course, I think of as Michelle Kwan's Music (Love you Michelle!), but nevertheless, it seems to be very popular with EVERYONE and their daughter!

In terms of her costume: you would think as a Spaniard, she would "bring it" with her Madrid-influenced costume, but this ivory stretch lace and crystals re-embroidered number was a bit of a let down. It was sweet, for sure. But, it definitely needed MAS! Her costume looked like a $99.99 special at a "Mountain High" Ice Skating Shop, which is fine, but not for a Grand Prix. At least this season's costume was much more "lady like" compared to last year's Short Program costume:

Tattoo España: if Madrid had a version of the "LA Ink" Tattoo Reality TV Show, Lafuente would be one of the stars--at least in this get-up. Here, she was skating to "The Feeling Begins" by Peter Gabriel (go figure!).

Maé Bérénice Méité of France: Mae placed sixth overall at Trophee Eric Bompard over the weekend. This marks the FIRST time I have discussed Mademoiselle Meite here in my "Figure Skating Costume" postings, so I was excited! How could I not comment on this, her Short Program costume which she skated to "Fever, Jessica's Theme" from "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" and "Hey Pachuco" from "The Mask".

She obviously comes from the Surya Bonaly School of Costuming!!! There's the midriff side-and-back revealing sections, those tacky-licious gloves, the bright pink satin Lycra fabrication with "Bedazzler" crystals, plus is that a "heart" shape hair pin accent?? It's a bit much and I may be wrong but it looks like the skin-revealing sections are not even covered with "nude" illusion or mesh...I think she is treading very closely to that "50% covered up rule" of ladies figure skating costuming.

Yretha Silete of France: Here's another lovely figure skater who somehow has missed my "Nick Figure Skating Costume Two Cents", France's Yretha Silete. For her Free Skate to "Xotica" by Rene Dupere (a Cirque du Soleil composer), she wears a turquoise blue and golden nude costume featuring "leaf"-like applique and oversized beaded front-and-back "necklaces". I actually love the colors of this costume and it's unusual design. She's very much like a "Bird of Paradise Caribbean Queen of Flora-and-Fauna". Also, with the barrettes in her hair, she's giving you a little bit of Josephine Baker. I know that some of you might argue, well what makes hers not "Krazee" as opposed to Mae Berenice Meite's? First off: she's not looking like a HOOCHIE Barbie! And secondly, the costume looks a little more refined and thought out. So, therefore, je l'aime!