0 Nick Verreos Reviews the Olympic Men's Figure Skating Finals

Golden Boy: Olympic Gold Medalist Evan Lysacek with Evgeni Plushenko and Daisuke Takahashi

So, of course, I couldn't let the Olympic Men's Figure Skating Finals slip by without a review of the Costumes! And, as always, in Figure Skating, their was DRAMA on the ice and in the costumes!

Congratulations to Evan Lysacek for delivering a Gold Medal worthy performance! Lysacek became the first American man since Brian Boitano to win the Olympic gold.

Though Lysacek is the world champion, it was a rare upset for the world of Figure Skating. Plushenko, who ended a three-year retirement with the sole goal of winning gold, hadn't finished anywhere but first since the 2004 European championships. He was the defending Olympic gold medalist and silver medalist in 2002, and a three-time world champion.

I was honored to be asked to comment on the Men's Costumes for the AP Associated Press alongside Hal Rubenstein the Fashion Director of InStyle Magazine and Jef Billings, one of the sports most famous Costume Designers.

Below are my comments on all the top Men's Skating Costumes, and click HERE to read all our comments.
Evan Lysacek: Dark and dramatic. Just like Evans artistic skate, Vera Wang created a masterful costume complete with Swarovski crystal-encrusted King Cobra Snakes. The costume was worthy of a Gold Medal in its own right!
Evgeni Plushenko: Liza Minnelli-shenko is what I thought when I first saw this bedazzled nightmare. It was a High School Musical costume that matched his High School Musical performance.
Daisuke Takahashi: Cirque de Soleil gone wrong! I give Takahashi points for always bringing us over the top costumes, but this one looked like a tablecloth from a cheap Greek Taverna.
Johnny Weir: I’m happy (and I’m sure PETA is too) that Johnny lost the fur. This silver, crystal embroidered costume was actually a toned down Johnny Weir. It showed his elegant restraint and maturity mirroring his almost flawless performance.
Stephane Lambiel: The Swiss may be famous for their couture laces and embroidery, but Stephane’s Tea Cozy shoulder pads were a definite miss.
Patrick Chan: Although the Phantom of the Opera has been done one too many times for my taste, his costume was a refreshing twist on an overused theme. A directional costume featuring an asymmetrical corseted waistcoat with gold button detail and (thank goodness) no Andrew Lloyd Weber mask in sight!
Nobunari Oda: Can you please give me a couple sequins?! I get the Charlie Chaplin reference but I was falling asleep until the lace snapped. Never before have I been so excited about a wardrobe malfunction!

0 Figure Skaters in Rodarte: Rachael Flatt, Evan Lysacek and Johnny Weir!

Fashion Triple Axle
In light of the upcoming 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics (they begin THIS Friday!!!), New York Times Magazine recently published this great "Photo Essay" by Ryan McGinley entitled "The High Flyers" showing US Olympians and capturing them mid-flight in an exhilarating ski jump, or a snow-filled moment of close-up repose. Skiers, snowboarders and (my favorite) Figure Skaters. Included in this photo essay is our US Nationals Champion, Rachael Flatt, photographed mid-turn wearing a braided/crochet design by Rodarte. 2009 World Champion Evan Lysacek (can't really see if it's a Rodarte or a Vera Wang, his current favorite) is seen from behind--in silhouette-- while he looks to be in mid-Camel Spin.My favorite, however, is the one of Johnny Weir. Always a risk taker when it comes to fashion, Johnny is fresh off a new controversy involving PETA and for this NY Times Magazine photo essay, he is wearing a custom Rodarte "spiderweb" red and black yarn jumpsuit. The design is very similar to what the Pasadena, California-reared Mulleavy sisters showed for Spring 2010.
It's like her male partner-in-crime! Somehow I cannot see Evan Lysacek in that same ensemble...but Miss Johnny: Huney, done and done!

0 Nick Verreos Weighs In on the Men's Figure Skating Championship Costumes!

Costume Change...

OK, first of all, Evan Lysacek is KILLING ME! Did he just change his costume AGAIN????? I just can't keep up! Both me--and Vera Wang---must be dizzy! Over the weekend, I just watched the 2010 AT & T US National Figure Skating Championships (I couldn't go--I was too busy doing my Golden Globes stuff kiddies) and I just about coughed up my popcorn and nachos (from my home, not from the actual Arena!). He busted out (did I just say that?) a brand new costume (it's like his FIFTH Costume Change of the Season!) for his Free Skate (or Long Program) where he performed to--yet again, Scheherazade (shouldn't Michelle Kwan have rights to this? Michelle??). Evan wore a gray center-front shirred stretch top with black shoulder beaded accents (Say what?) with black pants featuring side sequined panels (Say what, Part Deux?). I liked it for it's "Where did that come from" aesthetic and give Vera Wang props for her ongoing effort to influencing--stylistically, the world of Figure Skating costumes. Evan placed 2nd and received the Silver Medal. He fell on his quad and had a labored program but still managed to make the Olympic Team.

Johnny Weir, bless his heart--also showcased a brand new costume. It had sequins (naturally) and white feathers (double naturally). Johnny's costumes always teeter on the edge of: Either someone's mother in Siberia made them or was it from a NY/LA-based designer with a $5,000 budget--Nevertheless, Johnny ended up in 3rd place but for me, placed FIRST...--in Feathers and Flash!!


Jeremy Abbott won the Gold Medal, deservedly, but looked more like a Cast Member from "Glee" as opposed to a potential Olympic Medalist. That stretch-silk blue dress shirt was SOOO Show Choir. Sorry Jeremy. I absolutely commend you on the most AMAZING performance (it made my arm hairs stand on end!) but that ensemble of yours was High School and guess what Jeremy, you have GRADUATED!!!!!

Next: The Women!!!! Stay tuned.

0 Nick Verreos reviews Figure Skating Costumes at the 2010 US Nationals

Sequins, Straps, lots of Mesh and Costume Changes: US Nationals Costumes

Pairs Fashion:The US Nationals of Figure Skating are happening right now in Spokane Washington and of course "Uncle Nicky" is all over it--at least in terms of the costumes! To begin with, Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett won 2010 US National Pairs Championship. Caydee is only 16 years old and she and her partner only started skating together 18 months ago and now, they will be going to Vancouver for the Olympics. They skated to Sheherazade, which ironically is the same music Michelle Kwan used when she competed at the Salt Lake City Olympic Games in 2002.
In terms of their costumes, I actually liked them! Caydee wore deep violet shirred outfit featuring lots of interesting and original draping and all very asymmetrical--a theme of Figure Skating costumes--very similar incidentally to the costume I designed for the "Sasha Cohen Challenge" back in my season of Project Runway. I also liked her partner, Jeremy Barrett's costume. It was a clean, elegant black stretch jumpsuit featuring details taken from Caydee's costume, such as the beaded violet arm criss-cross straps and gold sequined deep-V neck "buckles".

The Men:
Jeremy Abbott was in the lead after the Men's Short Program at the AT&T US National Championships...but his costume was so boring I'm not even going to discuss it. Thank You very much. He looked like he was in a local high school play and his aunt from Poughkeepsie made it (no disrespect to aunts from Poughkeepsie, I am sure there are some wonderful seamstresses there!).

Evan Lysacek (2nd after the short program) debuted yet another Vera Wang creation:Slowly as the season progresses he seems to be losing more and more feathers. Let's hope his routines aren't moulting like his costumes! I like it for it's dark, almost Gothic tendency but still loved that first one he originally wore early in the season at a Grand Prix event.

Johnny Weir currently in 3rd place "Rocked the tassel" as seen here:Leave it to "Miss " Johnny. Love that he just doesn't care and as always, has been consistent in not wanting to please anyone or follow any rules. It totally works for him since HE OWNS it.

The New York Times had strong commentary on the new trend of over-the-top costumes.

Now on to the Men's Finals and the Women's Costumes next weekend!--and of course, feel free to leave me your comments which I love reading, especially from fellow Figure Skating fans!