0 Figure Skating Fashion Minute: 2012 US Figure Skating Championships--The Ladies

Figure Skating Fun:

Arrival Pose: Nick Verreos at the San Jose, CA International Airport

After blogging about the Figure Skating Fashion for the last 2 seasons here on my blog, I decided it was time to see some of these costumes "Up Close" and since the Nationals were almost in my backyard--well, almost--an hour away by plane in San Jose, CA...

I, along with my partner, David Paul (who LOVES himself some figure skating!) decided to make a weekend of it! Yes, we hopped on a Horizon/Alaska Airlines propeller plane at LAX and an hour later, we were in San Jose....to go to the 2012 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

Prudential 2012 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, HP Pavilion San Jose California

This years Nationals were being held at the HP Pavilion and yes, we bought tickets for all of the weekend high-profile events--including the Ladies Finals, Pairs, Ice Dance and Men's short and Long Programs. This is like the "Miss USA" of figure skating...and very very important!!!

Skating Goddess: 9-time US National Champion, 5-time World Champion, 2-time Olympic Medalist Michelle Kwan, 2012 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships "Hall of Fame" Induction Ceremony

I was so excited to attend the Ladies Final Competition--which was held this past Saturday--and as part of the afternoon's event at the HP Pavilion, there was a very special (and a big highlight for me) Induction Presentation of Michelle Kwan into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame. She wore a bright silk satin mustard yellow top and black skirt during this ceremony and actually got teary as all the congratulatory video montages played on the HUGE overhead pavilion screens.

Now, let's get to the Ladies Final and The Costumes!!!

The Top Four: Left to Right--Alissa Czisny (Silver) Ashley Wagner (Gold), Agnes Zawadzki (Bronze), Caroline Zhang (Pewter), 2012 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships HP Pavilion

Gold Medalist Ashley Wagner: I LOVED Ashley's Free Skate costume. She skated to "Music from Black Swan" and yes, this is one of my favorite costumes of the entire season. The one-shoulder embroidered lace applique with beaded detail design is both elegant and directional.

Ashley Wagner--Short Program: For her Short Program, she skated to "Music from the Pollock Soundtrack" and wore a red halter neckline costume with rhinestones. It's pretty, it "pops" on the ice and appropriate for the music and theme.

Agnes Zawadzki--Long Program: Agnes was First Place after her Short Program but received the Bronze Medal after the Free Skate. For her Free Program, she skated to "Rhapsody In Blue" By George Gershwin and wouldn't you know it...she wore a royal/electric blue costume with a one-shoulder/band mock-neck silhouette design with yes, lots of crystals. On the ice, this costume really stood out and look fabulous!

Agnes Zawadzki--Short Program Costume: For her Short Program, Agnes skated to "Harlem Nocturne" and "Whatever Lola Wants" wearing a similar one-shoulder/band neckline costume--but in deep violet. I like that she knows how important these strong colors are, especially on "stage". Up close, these costumes do look about five minutes away from looking too "Figure Skating Betty" however, it somehow works on Agnes. The colors work really well against her skin tone and hair color. On that note, I love that she keeps her hairstyle in an elegant side-parted chignon each time.

Alissa Czisny--Long Program: OK, I will have to get this one off my chest right now: I wasn't a fan of this costume. There, I said it! Alissa--whom I love--and I was "pulling for her"--got the Silver Medal after her Free Skate to "La Valse Triste" by Jean Sibelius. The costume was a little too lingerie/corsetry-looking for my taste. It was "Trashy Lingerie"-ish. On a good note: it had "hints" of Rodarte--the much-praised High Fashion brand everyone and Anna Wintour just LUVS--however, it fell a bit short for me, in terms of impact. I am not a fan of the long skirts for Ladies Figure Skating and well, the entire look was not impacting enough.

Alissa Cizisny--Short Program: For her Short Program, she skated to "La Vie en Rose" from the Sabrina soundtrack and wore this elegant rose-pink boatneck sleeveless costume with all-over crystals. I liked this--it was classic and serene. And the thin belt at the waist is soooo "Red Carpet"-ready! The back is covered in Silver Crystals and is absolutely breathtaking. The photos do not do this costume justice.

Mirai Nagasu---Short Program: Mirai skated to "Danzarin" Tango Lorca to her Short Program. This costume looked like something one could buy off the rack--from one of the skating shops in the Arena. And kids, that's not a good thing--especially for the Nationals. She need to "Bring It On" and for me, she didn't. I can design--and sew this costume--in my sleep!

Caroline Zhang: Pewter Medalist Caroline Zhang wore on of my TOP costumes of the Ladies Final Championships. It was a black number featuring original beading detail under her bust and framing her torso. She skated her Free Skate to "Allegro Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104-1" in this and it worked seamlessly into the performance. Tres Chic Caroline!

Rachael Flatt: One of my favorite figure skaters, Rachael Flatt--skated to the "Firebird Suite" from The Firebird by Stravinsky for her Long Program/Free Skate. She changed her costume and showcase this new design at the US Nationals. Here is the one she wore before. I liked the multicolored beading that (I am assuming) was supposed to mimic feathers of a bird. The colors, design and crystals--they all looked well-made and expensive. But, the best part of her costume came at the end of her performance--during the "Kiss-And-Cry", when she put on a "Stanford University" (the college she attends) cap. Soooo CUTE! Go Miss Rachael!

Click Below for "Figure Skating Chat" with Jimmy Nguyen and Nick Verreos--Previewing the Ladies Final:

Click Below for "Figure Skating Chat" with Jimmy Nguyen and Nick Verreos--Recap'ing Ladies Final Competition:

0 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).

0 Figure Skating Costume Question: White Skates vs. Beige Skates?

The Great (Figure Skating) Debate: White, Beige or Skin Tone Tights Over The Boots?

La Perfect Michelle: Michelle Kwan skating in...White Skates

Just in time for the final Grand Prix of Figure Skating Competition, which is occurring as I type in Beijing China, I began an email discussion with one of my Figure Skating "gals", the beautiful Courtney Prince, who skated professionally for a while but now owns the Jewelry Design company, Doloris Petunia. She emailed me asking "White Skates or Beige Skates?" She wanted my Fashion Designer (and Figure Skating fan) opinion. Her argument was that wearing beige skates made the skater look, well, a bit less professional.

So naturally, I said "I need to post a BLOG about this" and see what other people think. And I also decided to take it another step further and add: "Well, what about beige tights over the skating boots?". Why would Figure Skaters decide one versus the other.

Is wearing beige skates more of a statement of "I'm not traditional"? And finally, covering the entire leg--and boot--in skin-tone tights, would that be more to elongate the figure, especially for some skaters who well, might not be so height-inclined? White Skates seem to be the de-rigueur and more traditional choice for Ladies Figure Skaters throughout the years.
This changed in the late 80's when more and more professional figure skaters began to buck the "White Skate" rule and go for the beige ones. And then toward the late 90's, and early 2000's, we began to see the all-over skin-tone/beige tights over the skates look as well.

I went back in time and looked at iconic--and very fabulous Ladies Figure Skaters and what they wore:

White Skating Boot Queens:

In 1968 , Peggy Fleming won the Olympic Gold, wearing White Skates. She looked elegant and very "Mad Men" Figure Skater!!

Dorothy Hamill became the 1976 Olympic Champion...in White Skates. I see a pattern here: If you go to the Olympics, and want to win the Gold, ,maybe White Skates is your secret "boot" ticket. On Hamill, they were the perfect accessory since her costume had white-ish sequin trim on the neckline and sleeve of her red costume. Looking at these two icons of Figure Skating and thinking about costumes in 2010/2011, wearing White Boots might seem a bit "Retro", n'est pas?

In the 1992 Albertville Olympics, France's Surya Bonaly, caused a major ESCANDALO, when she refused to wear tights(!). My Figure Skating "Research Assistant" tells me that Danskin only makes tights in "never seen the sun" ballerina cream or "toast"(tan-a-rama!), so I can see why Bonaly just never wore tights when she competed (she just couldn't find a pair to match her skin tone). She still opted for the traditional White Skates--to go with her non-traditional glitzy over-the-top costumes.

Two years later, at the 1994 Winter Olympics, there was Miss Tonya Harding and her infamous broken boot lace incident. Yep, she wore White Skates and they coordinated well with her costume. They were the "Stars" of this Olympic boot lace incident, as well as the fact that her skates had GOLD blades. This was considered a bit on the tacky side and trust me kiddies, it was a topic of discussion amongst many a figure skating competition-watching party!

Beige Queens:

In the same year, Olympic Gold-medal Winner Oksana Baiul, who represented the Ukraine defeated USA's Nancy Kerrigan in (Oh No She Didn't!): Beige Skating Boots (I know, shut the front door!). I remember then thinking "Boy them beige skates are odd!". If I am not mistaken, I think she was the only figure skater to compete in the Olympics wearing BEIGE SKATES! (I'm sure I could be wrong and my dear readers will be sure to tell me so!)

In the early 2000's, we began to see the beige-tights-over-skates trend more. Exhibit A: Sarah Hughes, 2002 Olympic Gold Medalist. Hughes wore the beige tights over the skates look with her sequined lilac costume.

Exhibit B: In 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino (of which I actually went to!), Sasha Cohen skated in skin-tone tights over her boots, as well. Sasha, of course is known for her LONG lines and UNBELIEVABLE leg extensions. So in her case, it does make sense to cover the entire leg in skin-tone, in order to exaggerate even more the length of her lines. So what is the trend now, in 2010/2011?

What's The Trend Now: The 2010 Grand Prix Ladies

Italy's Carolina Kostner--and Roberto Cavalli-costumed muse--wore White Ice Skates in her winning Grand Prix performance. I loved the costume and had no problem with them. Kostner is a tall skater (compared to the others) and therefore doesn't need an elongation to her already lengthy legs. They also go just right with her asymmetrical costume. I just have a problem with her too-dark tights! (Are those "toast" by Danskin???)

Japan's Akiko Suzuki, on the other hand, wears the beige-tights-over-ice-skates, for her Grand Prix series look. Akiko is only 5 feet 2 inches and so it is understandable that she doesn't want to add anything to break the length of her leg-lines. For some reason, though, it looks very "bulky" down by the ankle. It would almost be better with just the white boots...

The stunning Barbie Doll-like Kiira Korpi from Finland, opts for the White Skates. Korpi looks like a figure skater from the 1960's, and from head to toe, she exudes a Retro vibe. So it makes perfect sense for her to go for the White Skates as opposed to the all-beige-leg look.

And finally, there's Rachael Flatt, from the USA, who chooses beige tights over the skates, as opposed to the White Skates. So, it seems that the great debate over "Which one is better?" or "Which is more Professional Looking?" will continue. I think, it all depends on the skater, the costume, and also the height of the skater. Shorter competitors should probably opt for the beige tight/skate look, while if you want to be more on the "Peggy Fleming/Dorothy Hamill" end--and be more "traditional"--then go for the White Skates.

Although for me there is one deal breaker and that is the Olympics. I am siding with a White Skate only policy. To me it is almost like not wearing a White Tennis Outfit to Wimbledon! For the Gran-daddy of all Sports and for photos that will appear for an eternity, classic white is always the answer!

What do you think?

0 Figure Skating Love: Nick Verreos Interview for ICEnetwork.com on "The Inside Edge With Sarah and Drew"

Talking Figure Skating...

Sitting Pretty: Nick Verreos and US Figure Skater Rachael Flatt

As many of you know by now, I have a personal love for Figure Skating which yes, was spurred on by my NIKOLAKI partner David Paul (who REALLY REALLY Loves Figure Skating). He and his "Skating Buddies" would watch the sport and I would just be the "Skating Wife" in the background. Well, of course, that all changed once I was on Season 2 Project Runway and I had to design a costume for Sasha Cohen. I was subsequently "infected" with the Figure Skating virus! Now, naturally I respect the athleticism and power of the sport but of course, I watch it for the COSTUMES!!!!

Drew Meekins with former pairs partner Jessica Rose Paetsch in 2008

Recently, I got a fun email from Writer/Illustrator and IceNetwork.com Contributor Sarah S. Brannen and American Pairs Figure Skater--and 2006 World Junior Champion-- Drew Meekins requesting an interview from me for "The Inside Edge with Sarah and Drew".

Besides being a great Children's Book Author and Illustrator, she is an avid fan of Figure Skating and has photographed the sport for years. Here are some samples of her work:

Johnny Weir at 2006 US Nationals

Sasha Cohen, 2006 Marshall's Challenge

Well, of course, I said YES YES and YES! I had a blast doing the interview and we talked about my love of Figure Skating, and my thoughts of various skater's costumes of course.
Click HERE to read the entire interview.

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 Reviewing the Ladies: Nick Verreos Scores the US National Figure Skating Championship Finals

Rating The Figure Skating Finals...Costumes!
Congratulations to the delightful Rachael Flatt, who landed SEVEN (I know!!!) triple jumps including a triple flip-triple toe loop combination. Translation (to those non-figure skating fans): She did REALLY REALLY well! As a result, she garnered the Gold at this year's U. S. National Figure Skating Championships and a spot on the 2010 U. S. Olympics Team. Go Rachael!
I am so happy for her--I had the privilege of meeting Rachael last year and even discussed designing a costume for her. Who knows? But I am sure she's already "taken care of" and wouldn't need "little ol' me" to design and create her Olympic-worthy costume. Speaking of her costumes, for her Long--Rachmaninoff-program, Rachael wore a red beaded number featuring a flirty skirt, and gold embroidered bodice. So perfect for her ivory skin-tone and amber-blond hair. Pretty and elegant yet still youthful and un-fussy.
Score: 8.5 out of 10.

Coming in Second Place was Mirai Nagasu. Along with Rachael Flatt, Nagasu will also be heading North--to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. She also wore a red costume for her Long Program (red was popular!) but hers was a deeper, more "Spanish" red, reflecting Bizet's "Carmen"--which is what she skated to. It was a "sweet" Carmen.
I, for one, love the drama and sexuality of Katarina Witt's Carmen (in which she won the Gold Medal) I would have loved to have seen Bolero-esque shoulder treatments (like a fighting Toreador)but I realize that's not really what Mirai is about. So for that, the costume design was on the safe route: It did not detract from her program but it didn't add anything either.
Score: 6.5 out of 10.

Most years, THREE women head to the Olympics for the chance of winning that Gold Medal, but because it is based on the placements from the previous World Championships (and the US Women did not do so well--oops!), there will only be TWO heading to the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. With that in mind the dreaded Third Spot went to...Ashley Wagner. In regards to her Ombre-Purple re-embroidered costume--you can read HERE what I thought about it back in December when she came in Third at the ISU Grand Prix in Tokyo Japan Here's a hint: On the fence.
Score: 6 out of 10.

One of my Season 2 Project Runway Guest Judges and Challenge Subjects, Sasha Cohen, struggled throughout her Moonlight Sonata Free Skate. I SO wanted her to BRING IT! She kinda did--and kinda did not. She was credited with only one clean triple jump (in the program) and got Fourth Place and (obviously) no position to go to this 2010 Vancouver Winter's U.S. Olympic Team. In terms of her costume, I really liked the "Kool-Aid" grape-colored Ombre dyed (an theme?) color. I LOVED the crystal-beaded neck but that over-sized shirred bust was a tad bit to wide and I must admit, bothered me.
Score: 7 out of 10.

Well, now were off to Vancouver...maybe not me, Ashley or Sasha...but I cannot wait for our next "Rate The Figure Skating Costumes"...LIVE from Los Angeles California!