The costume and the program

[Bennett]

Previously, what I liked about Yuna's LP was the speed, powerfulness, and sharpness. It was a very dynamic program and I could feel the air passing by my cheeks.

Somehow perhaps because of the costume change, I have gotten a pretty different impression at her Worlds. The program looked more lyrical. She looked pure and delicate in that costume. I could feel the details of the choreo more than before.

I am curious why they chose costumes that looked totally different in images. Usually, the program has some main themes and they try to express them through the costume.

I also got a very different impression from Mao's newer gorgeous LP costume than the previous airy, fluffy one. The newer costume went well with deep, passionate melodies whereas the airy costume emphasized the flow and lightness of the delicate music, especially around the slow part and the last part, which were heavenly beautiful.

As I always prefer something airy and delicate whether it's costume, music, or skater, I personally liked Yuna's newer cosutme and Mao's older costume better than their counterparts.

But I am wondering which costumes may have suited the overall concepts of these programs. Any thoughts?

Also could you think of any other examples in which the costume made a difference in the image of the program?

 

[Tinymavy15]

Great post. Personally, I have to say that the new costumes put Yu-na's programs in a whole new light and athough I never really enjoyed her skating earlier in the year, I saw her talent at worlds, even though she did not skate her best. The dresses were MUCH better than the first two, now I see what a pretty girl she actually is.

I think that getting the right outfit is vital to sell a program. That was one thing about sasha, she almost always had the right dress. It really upsets me when a skater wears somthing that does not match the music or the theme of the program. I feel like saying... did you look in the mirror?

 

[all that]

Costumes can make all the difference! As you have noted, costumes can completely change the look and feel of a program. This isn't the greatest example, but as a V&M fan, it's the first one that comes to my head -- at 4CC's, Tessa changed her FD dress from blue to pink (in an attempt to be more authentic to the movie/music, I think), and suddenly, the program looked awful to me. I must have not been the only one who felt that way, because she brought the blue dress back for Worlds, and the program looked so much better!

 

[Bennett]

I absolutely agree about Sasha! She is so artistically talented. She always knew what makes her look beautiful. She always knew the right costumes that well reflected the concepts of the programs. My very favorites were the last Olympic outfits. Both costumes were the perfect matches to the programs.
She also always knew the right make-up that went so well with the costumes and programs.

I think that Johnny Weir team is also fantastic at making costumes that match programs. When he takes on the ice, I feel that I already know something about the program. My favorite costumes were: Otonal (so poetic), The Swan (a piece of art!), Yunona I Avos (lyrical and classy), and Love is War (sensual and passionate). All his costumes look as if they were coming from fanshion shows. So unique and so beautiful.

Yukari also tends to have extremely beautiful costumes that express the themes of her programs very well.

 

[Bennett]

Costumes can make all the difference! As you have noted, costumes can completely change the look and feel of a program. This isn't the greatest example, but as a V&M fan, it's the first one that comes to my head -- at 4CC's, Tessa changed her FD dress from blue to pink (in an attempt to be more authentic to the movie/music, I think), and suddenly, the program looked awful to me. I must have not been the only one who felt that way, because she brought the blue dress back for Worlds, and the program looked so much better!

Thank you for sharing. I don't have the access to the YOUTUBE right now but would look forward to watching the costume effects on them later.

 

[jyshin]

use of the prop in ice-dance

Nathalie Pechalat & Fabian Bourzat (France) "Spanish Flamenco"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aEkyA5Y9QM

I thought Pechalat's 'red fan' was the highlight of their costume. The end of her fan was connected to her shoulder with a piece of red lace... and MY GOD... I was speechless when she showed it off during the straight line lift (1:46~).
What an extension to her body line!
... I am afraid that it slowed down her spins though...

I also thought John Kerr's skirt was a brilliant idea. Kerr's "Scottish Folk Dance" was also one of my favorite program of the season.

 

[Tinymavy15]

I thought Pechalat's 'red fan' was the highlight of their costume. The end of her fan was connected to her shoulder with a piece of red lace... and MY GOD... I was speechless when she showed it off during the straight line lift (1:46~).
What an extension to her body line!
... I am afraid that it slowed down her spins though...

That was stunning. I can't belive that they didn't show that on TV. Just amazing dacning. so in charatcer. and that fan kept appearing and dissapering out of nowhere.

 

[Bennett]

Carolina SP costumes

I really liked both of Caro's SP costumes. I loved purple on her. I also loved the black pants that emphasized her long, long legs. Who else can look more stylish and fashionable in black pants? It was a perfect choice for her. I really admire all the costumes that her famous fashion desginer has made for her. Without the talent, black pants can look nothing more than a practice outfit. But it looked really gorgeous on her.

I feel that both costumes were relatively similar in themes. I feel that her purple one was nice in color. Purple went very well with that spicy music. The design was so gorgeous. The heaviness in volume also looked very cool, stylish, and suitable to that music. But I felt that the design might have been a little bit girlish for that music even though I personally always prefer girlish costumes to pants. Her black pants might be perhaps a better choice for her music because she looked more active in it. She looked so shiny and cheerful skating to that music in the pants at Worlds. I was very happy to see her. In any case, I really liked them both and think that both were great for that music.

 

[Wrlmy]

Who else can look more stylish and fashionable in black pants?

Suguri Fumie in her Carmen program.

I love Roberto Cavalli's collection, but I'm usually underwhelmed by what he does for Carolina. I really didn't like the dresses he made for her for Olympic. Especially the Gala dress was a monstrocity. I kind of liked her new sp costume, but it made her torso look too tiny. I preferred the purple dress. That was beautiful.

 

[Bennett]

True. Fumie looks nice in pants. I also liked Yukari's pants in 2005-6.

I actually really loved Caro's Olympic costumes. Her SP was very fresh and pretty. I really loved the delicate decorations. And I just fell in love with her LP costume. I thought it the most stylish costume that I've ever seen in figure skating. I am not exaggerating . I wrote so in my diary. The hair accessary, hairstyle, the makeup, and her complexion, everything went so well. And it went so well with the music, too. Since then, I have paid the greatest attention to Caro’s costumes.

The designer’s spring collection was just like Caro’s. She is a lucky girl and she deserves it because she is so sweet and so charming. I am sure that the designer would be very happy to have her.

I heard that her costumes are put on auction and she donates the money to charity. What kinds of ppl buy them, I wonder?

 

[Kinga]

I actually really loved Caro's Olympic costumes. Her SP was very fresh and pretty. I really loved the delicate decorations. And I just fell in love with her LP costume. I thought it the most stylish costume that I've ever seen in figure skating. I am not exaggerating . I wrote so in my diary. The hair accessary, hairstyle, the makeup, and her complexion, everything went so well. And it went so well with the music, too. Since then, I have paid the greatest attention to Caro’s costumes.

The designer’s spring collection was just like Caro’s. She is a lucky girl and she deserves it because she is so sweet and so charming. I am sure that the designer would be very happy to have her.

I am not fan of Karolina's dresses. They are a bit overdecorated, too heavy and too 'puffy'. I think that different line of her dresses would emphasize Caro's beautiful body a bit better. I am not crazy about her make-up either. Her face features look a bit too harsh. But maybe she has this type of look when it is difficult to make a good delicate makeup. Also, as she has beautiful long hair, it should be possible to make her hair style more sophisticated and elegant.

 

[jyshin]

Lambiel "Carne Cruda" costume in Milano

As you know, I've been Lambieling for the last couple of days... and found him to be a fashion loving young man

This is about his "Carne Cruda" costume in Milano... a little toned down, earthier then the Worlds...

Clip about Stéphane's new costume for SP, Milano
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hMjXujZdSM&feature=related

Lambiel "Carne Cruda" performance in Milano Oct 20, 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPOr4ziesz0&NR=1

 

[studek]

I am not fan of Karolina's dresses. They are a bit overdecorated, too heavy and too 'puffy'. I think that different line of her dresses would emphasize Caro's beautiful body a bit better. I am not crazy about her make-up either. Her face features look a bit too harsh. But maybe she has this type of look when it is difficult to make a good delicate makeup. Also, as she has beautiful long hair, it should be possible to make her hair style more sophisticated and elegant.

I agree - the vast majority of her costumes/looks have done absolutely nothing for me, regardless of who is designing them. I am much more a fan of understated elegance, and some of her's have been anything but :-\

 

[Bennett]

Jeff's Ararat costumes

Jeff had three Ararat costumes. I liked the white one at the 2007 Worlds the best. The cool color went well with this sad music. Even though the design might have been a bit too conventional for this ethnic music, I think Jeff looks very nice in white, fluffy costumes. I also liked the structure of the program here better. He used to use sad melodies when he did the straight line steps. I liked it better than the current program that uses powerful melodies for the straightline steps.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyvkGC9mv_M

I think the red & black & gold one at 2008 Worlds was nice as well but a bit happier, more conventional, and had less atmosphere.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKEG1y7AHVQ

I feel that the previous white costume and the black&blue&white costume better matched with the depth and sadness in the music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juVFTUndIL0

I wonder if the black & blue & white costume that he used most often was meant to be something in the Armenian culture. I thought it could be a soldier or a peasant. But I just have no knowledge. Does anyone know?

 

[Bennett]

As you know, I've been Lambieling for the last couple of days... and found him to be a fashion loving young man

This is about his "Carne Cruda" costume in Milano... a little toned down, earthier then the Worlds...

Clip about Stéphane's new costume for SP, Milano
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hMjXujZdSM&feature=related

Lambiel "Carne Cruda" performance in Milano Oct 20, 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPOr4ziesz0&NR=1

I love his costume here. It's so cool and stylish. I wish Lambiel had had this designer at the last Olympics . Both are somehow similar in colors and concepts but what a difference! (I still liked him watching in the Olympic costume though)