Do costumes augment or detract?

[Skater Boy]

Costumes make skating fun. Yes sometimes they can add and some times they can distract and sometimes they seem non existent - take that many ways lol. Yes some times it looks like the skater is practisig and didn't care. Sometimes I find them too sexual for no reason. Some of them are hideous and you have no idea what they have to do with the story. Mind you if there were no words sometimes one would never know what the story the music truly was about ie Carmen - if we didn't know the story the music could be just some dramatic music. I never understood Ilia Kulik's rhapsody in blues giraffe tribute to pleather. i am not so sure white which seems more acceptable now is a great color on ice. and sometimes I find far too much illusion fabric. One thing that seems forgotten is that they are skating on ice and some outfits don't shine well from a distance ie intricate beading or embroidery. And just because you are a world famous designer does not mean you are meant to design for the ice or theatre. I think Christian Laboutan is a good example with Gracie while my guess she felt good because it was the famous shoe designer and kind of cute for lack of words her lining was a nod to Christian's red heels the dress itself was ho hum for skating. Sometimes skating outfits can be too garrish ie. Weir, Hanyu, Bonaly and sometimes to austere - its a fine balance. The one dress that I wish people would stop doing their version is Vera Wang's white dress for Kerrigan everyone seems to have had a version Butyrskaya (I can understand if it were for her wedding with MrRice of course ; Sasha Cohen and the list goes on.

 

[Isabel_O'Reilly]

I like costumes

To answer the OP, I think it depends on the costume (concept, design, execution, fit, etc) and how the skaters carry them.
Some enhance the program visually, some just distract.

I like costumes that are elegant, well-made and perfectly fit the program (Yuna Kim's costumes often fall into this category), costumes that portray a character (ex. Yulia's Schindler's List red dress), simple costumes that make you focus on the performance (ex. Ashley's Hip Hip Chin Chin black dress, Michelle's Lyrica Angela dress, Peggy Fleming's iconic chartreuse dress), or costumes that scream Bling! but are still gorgeous and not overdone (ex. Yuzuru Hanyu's Requiem of Heaven and Earth costume, Zijun Li's Clair De Lune costume). There are also costumes that aren't too attractive on its own but when worn, not only becomes more beautiful but gives a certain impression about the program (ex. Mao's Cello Suite program). And fun costumes like Evgenia's sailormoon costume and Anna's 2014 EX.

There are also costumes that distract (me, at least). Among the current ladies, Liza Tuk's seemingly half-naked costume, Yulia's rainbow costume which could've been saved if executed differently, and Carolina's Scheherazade costume that made her look almost nude, etc.

With Yulia's rainbow dress, I thought it was beautiful and the accessories were perfect to fit the mood conjured by the music (if not an accurate period portrayal) but as soon as you're far enough away the distinctiveness is lost and it became just a colored-blur. The same thing with the elaborate R&J dress from TEB the year before: http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Julia+Lipnitskaia+Trophee+Eric+Bompard+ISU+JDRVx152jI-x.jpg
If you expand the image the detail of the dress is beautiful. If you just leave it small the dress seem only one color and not very nice because it's too close to skin-color. The same thing happened if you were there or if the camera zoomed out.

Costumes usually add to the performance but if the reason behind it isn't known or isn't pulled of in the eye of the beholder it can wreck the atmosphere set by the program.

 

[Lambari]

I hate costumes that make me puke rainbows and equally the ones that make me want to throw a bucket of glitter at them. I don't want to be blinded nor do I want to die of boredom. Abstract Painting, Creature Of The Deep Sea Homage, Waiter or Angsty College Student With A Formal Shirt costumes are a no-no. A happy medium is required.

However, sometimes If I like the program and/or music and it's skated well enough I actually can forget the crimes comitted and love the program, costume and all. Cue Yuzuru's Requiem EX last season. If I managed to like the Lettuce Tritan in motion I'm capable of learning to love almost everything.

 

[Nathan13]

Someone needs to make a "Best and Worst Dressed" at the end of the season. Like the Oscars red carpet. I have weird tastes compared to others. So someone else should do it.

 

[TGee]

I would protest less about Patrick's costumes if they actually fit him properly.

Not only agree, but would like to put forward my view that poorly fitting or poorly cut clothes distract and detract...regardless of whether they are flashy or simply styled.

 

[4everchan]

i find that patrick's costumes fit him perfectly well....

I would protest less about Patrick's costumes if they actually fit him properly. You know, like Max's leggings.

 

[karne]

I think according to the rules at least it was a deduction - men can't wear tights I thought or leggings - the same lol.

Oh yes, Max should probably get a costume violation for them - if I was a judge, I would do so, and I have heard he has been pretty close to it in the past - but...well, perhaps the judges enjoy the view?

 

[lyverbird1]

Whereas I do appreciate a good costume that accentuates a performance (e.g. Yulia and Schindler's List), I do find amusement in the distracting ones. Seeing Dasa Grm's short programme dress this year in Boston and wondering the whole time was it some pink toilet paper stuck in the back was rather distracting but quite funny...

http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/event/...4-of-the-isu-world-figure-picture-id518417790

 

[TGee]

Will accept that fit can definitely be in the eye of the beholder

But everchan, I hope you can in turn accept that for some of us not all of P Chan's outfits have been ideal. I had his last year's SP outfit in mind. Great concept and colour IMO, but bunched up and didn't move with him as well as it might have. I kept thinking about what might have been...and I find that distracting...

See photo in in this fashion review of ISU Worlds by Nick Verros....

http://nickverrreos.blogspot.ca/2016/04/ice-styleisu-world-figure-skating.html

And I'm surprised that Verros hasn't come up yet in this thread. I don't always agree, but I find he is clear in his analysis and well reasoned in his reviews. Can hardly wait for Verros early GP season fashion review after Skate America and Skate Canada.

 

[4everchan]

i didn't like his sp costume either.. but in general patrick has had fabulous costumes.

Will accept that fit can definitely be in the eye of the beholder

But everchan, I hope you can in turn accept that for some of us not all of P Chan's outfits have been ideal. I had his last year's SP outfit in mind. Great concept and colour IMO, but bunched up and didn't move with him as well as it might have. I kept thinking about what might have been...and I find that distracting...

See photo in in this fashion review of ISU Worlds by Nick Verros....

http://nickverrreos.blogspot.ca/2016/04/ice-styleisu-world-figure-skating.html

And I'm surprised that Verros hasn't come up yet in this thread. I don't always agree, but I find he is clear in his analysis and well reasoned in his reviews. Can hardly wait for Verros early GP season fashion review after Skate America and Skate Canada.

 

[lappo]

They usually augment...and when they don't, they offer material for endless discussions! Call me shallow, but as a kid one of my favourite thing was to rate costumes with my late grandmother, so I have lots of nice memories about them. Beside, I think costumes really attract casual viewers, in a way that would not be possible if skaters performed in training gears. Just think about Yulia's SL at Olympics, would have she made the same impact worldwide without the red coat?

 

[TGee]

On the augment side of the balance sheet, I'd like to draw the thread's attention to the SD costumes Alicia Fabbri and Bruno Pierantonio in their first JGP outing.:agree:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=M7-Gyv7eAw4&feature=youtu.be

The ISU commentator and many commentators on the Canadian Ice Dance thread were very taken with the maturity, skating skills and expression of this team. A level 4 lift and deep edges. She's only 13!

When I took a second (and third look - yes they're that good IMO), I realized that the very high quality of the costuming contributed a lot to the overall impression of a more mature team for me. Definitely did not signal "Junior" to me.

Bruno's total look was IMO subtle haute couture. The detailing, finishing cut and fit were all there. The vest is gorgeous, with great front and back details. For me, it's up there with Javier Fernadez' FP outfit at ISU Worlds in Boston.

Alicia pulls off IMO a very mature look in black with haute illusion cut-outs. IMO it was risky, but the cut is so good that there isn't even a whiff of impropriety. My sense is that subtle and fresh makeup was part of what made it work so well.

Really, I'm raising a cheer here for their Italian Québécois fashion sensibility here! :clapper:

And I'd like to note that the FD costumes worked for me as well, although pink for her dress was a risk in the direction of potentially signalling girlishness. (And agree with commentators on the Cdn ID thread that the nasty critique on the you tube page should not be permitted to stand.)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3hWZT2fyvkY&feature=youtu.be

 

[NanaPat]

One thing that costumes do for me, in a large competition with many skaters, is help to tell the skaters apart or remind me of who is who. Of course I recognize the top skaters, but everyone has to start top competitions some time, and it helps spectators if there is something memorable about them. Costume can very well be that something. And color or pattern is what usually stands out and is most distinctive.

If you've ever seen Queen Elizabeth in person, she wears monochrome outfits (usually in bright colors) at public events. That's so that she will stand out from her "entourage" and there is no question about which one she is (she's the one in pink, or blue, or green, etc, depending on the occasion). Some people were really critical of Gilles and Poirier's short dance costumes last year, but they were definitely in the "Queen Elizabeth" style, and no one would have any trouble telling you "which ones they were".

Queen Elizabeth:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_II
http://parade.com/421295/roisinkell...-ii-becomes-britains-longest-serving-monarch/

Piper and Paul:
http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/8KrI...g+Championships+2016/pLszkGGFLOj/Paul+Poirier

 

[Skater Boy]

I am confused. Doesn't this team probably have a very short life span. He is six years older and doesn't he become ineligible soon or is it 21 or something? And if he has finished growing well she is alredy almost as tall as him. Did I miss something here? This team might not survive puberty for her or any slight change in her because well he is so slight. This team seems to have a slight chance and may be slighted.

 

[mrrice]

Oh yes, Max should probably get a costume violation for them - if I was a judge, I would do so, and I have heard he has been pretty close to it in the past - but...well, perhaps the judges enjoy the view?

Okaaaaaay. It would be difficult for me to judge Max. I'd hit the review button for all the wrong reasons. :dance:

 

[OS]

One thing that costumes do for me, in a large competition with many skaters, is help to tell the skaters apart or remind me of who is who. Of course I recognize the top skaters, but everyone has to start top competitions some time, and it helps spectators if there is something memorable about them. Costume can very well be that something. And color or pattern is what usually stands out and is most distinctive.

If you've ever seen Queen Elizabeth in person, she wears monochrome outfits (usually in bright colors) at public events. That's so that she will stand out from her "entourage" and there is no question about which one she is (she's the one in pink, or blue, or green, etc, depending on the occasion). Some people were really critical of Gilles and Poirier's short dance costumes last year, but they were definitely in the "Queen Elizabeth" style, and no one would have any trouble telling you "which ones they were".

Queen Elizabeth:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_II
http://parade.com/421295/roisinkell...-ii-becomes-britains-longest-serving-monarch/

Piper and Paul:
http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/8KrI...g+Championships+2016/pLszkGGFLOj/Paul+Poirier

LOL...tampon ad. The Queen does not wear such combi costumes. It is all about the shade, tone, and accessories. The understated subtlety and refinement. Separate Burberry from everyone else.

I have no problem with distinctive daring costumes. But there is a fine line between outstanding and stand out and that is the fun of fashion .

 

[petitebrie]

I'm one of those people who would be terribly sad if the costumes went (and not only because I make costumes and would go out of business, lol.)

Costumes often – for better or worse – add some important cues to the story of the programme, ranging from subtle touches to blatant clichés. I mean, what's an "oriental" (tbh I hate that word) programme without a belly dancer crop top and lots of jewellery, a flamenco without red lace, a Carmen without flowers in her hair, or a Firebird in basically any other colour than red or orange? It's not particularly creative, and sometimes feels like a shortcut to let everyone know that "yes, I'm totally feeling this flamenco even though I have no expressive ability", but at least it helps put the programme in context.

As for some good examples, Wagner's 2015 LP dress and Lipnitskaia's 2014 LP dress both reference the movie behind the soundtrack they're skating to and serve to anchor them in the story. The oft-imitated costume Yuna wore for her Homage to Korea programme alludes to the famous mountains of Korea. From this season, I think Emmi Peltonen's LP dress goes beautifully with the lyrics of the song – Barbara Streisand looking into the night sky and seeing a million eyes translates to the cloud-like shapes and rhinestone explosion on Emmi's "night sky" dress. Then you have colour symbolism like Yuna's dress to Send in the Clowns – yellow often represents envy, jealousy and cowardice, but also joy and hope, like in the song.

The skating itself wouldn't be different, but when you look at figure skating as an art form, costumes can add a lot to the narrative and significance of the programme, as well as contributing to the visual-aesthetic impact. They can also, however, detract if they're offensive (Domnina/Shabalin I'm side-eyeing you…) or get in the skater's way (too heavy, not aerodynamic, ill-fitting, straps or sashes get tangled, wardrobe malfunctions, etc), which can happen when form is allowed to prevail over function in the design process. After all, the costumes tread the line between sport and art as well – it should be a deliberate design and represent the skater and music, but also be functional as sportswear.

 

[Amei]

I'm one of those people who would be terribly sad if the costumes went (and not only because I make costumes and would go out of business, lol.)

Costumes often – for better or worse – add some important cues to the story of the programme, ranging from subtle touches to blatant clichés. I mean, what's an "oriental" (tbh I hate that word) programme without a belly dancer crop top and lots of jewellery, a flamenco without red lace, a Carmen without flowers in her hair, or a Firebird in basically any other colour than red or orange? It's not particularly creative, and sometimes feels like a shortcut to let everyone know that "yes, I'm totally feeling this flamenco even though I have no expressive ability", but at least it helps put the programme in context.

As for some good examples, Wagner's 2015 LP dress and Lipnitskaia's 2014 LP dress both reference the movie behind the soundtrack they're skating to and serve to anchor them in the story. The oft-imitated costume Yuna wore for her Homage to Korea programme alludes to the famous mountains of Korea. From this season, I think Emmi Peltonen's LP dress goes beautifully with the lyrics of the song – Barbara Streisand looking into the night sky and seeing a million eyes translates to the cloud-like shapes and rhinestone explosion on Emmi's "night sky" dress. Then you have colour symbolism like Yuna's dress to Send in the Clowns – yellow often represents envy, jealousy and cowardice, but also joy and hope, like in the song.

The skating itself wouldn't be different, but when you look at figure skating as an art form, costumes can add a lot to the narrative and significance of the programme, as well as contributing to the visual-aesthetic impact. They can also, however, detract if they're offensive (Domnina/Shabalin I'm side-eyeing you…) or get in the skater's way (too heavy, not aerodynamic, ill-fitting, straps or sashes get tangled, wardrobe malfunctions, etc), which can happen when form is allowed to prevail over function in the design process. After all, the costumes tread the line between sport and art as well – it should be a deliberate design and represent the skater and music, but also be functional as sportswear.

All that dress color could symbolize to me was baby puke.

 

[Alex D]

For me,

a figure skater is an artist and for each artist a specific bracket of skills is important to do their job properly. In FS. it´s the posture, styling and also outfit, it all comes together and creates the total package for me. This is not about "looking hot", it´s more about adding to your role. If we look at Nebelhorn, Karly Robertson had a lovely white outfit in the short, it absolutely added to her performance.

For me, outfits are very important, to support their story.

 

[Seren]

I love costumes, for me a costume should add something to the feel of the music, it doesn't have to be obvious, even color can make a subtle statement. Costumes detract when they pull your attention away from the skating (think Liza T's overuse of illusion fabric last year).

Also, I know when I compete wearing my dress puts me in a different mindset. It's like my armor against nerves. Wearing practice clothes wouldn't have the same effect.