Figure Skating Fashion Minute: ISU Grand Prix Final--The Men!!!

A Sequined Un-tied Ascot, Suspender Mania and a Men's Costume Flashback...

Ooooh GURL: Japan's Yuzuru Hanyu reacts with a Macaulay Culkin "Home Alone" look (he's also kind of well, "queening out" as we say in my circles) after his well-done Free Program skate, Grand Prix Final Quebec City Quebec Canada

Historic Quebec City Quebec, Canada

Continuing with my review of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final Costume Review, it's now time for the Men! I am still not over Carolina Kostner's surprise sequined "Debi Thomas/Cats (thanks Sarah Hughes for that reference!)/Donna Summer unitard-jumpsuit" but...I think I can move on--and talk about my boys.

The Top Three: (Left to right) Silver Medal Winner Daisuke Takahashi of Japan, Gold Medalist Patrick Chan of Canada and Javier Fernandez of Spain with his Silver Medal, Grand Prix Final 2011-2012 Quebec City Quebec Canada

The boys at Quebec City's Grand Prix Final 2011-2012 didn't deliver many Costume Surprises (unlike the Ladies), but there was one notable competitor who did do a "Costume Change" for this Grand Prix Final: Japan's Daisuke Takahashi and I wanted to talk about a "Suspender" Theme as well as well, an Homage to a "Costume Blast From the Past". Let's discuss:

Daisuke Takahashi of Japan: Takahashi skated his Free Skate to "Blues for Klook" , a blues-y/jazzy number by French jazz composer Eddy Louiss. And yes, he "changed" his costume, to the one in the photo above and below:

Everything about it seemed the same as his "old" Free Skate costume for this season: a black shirt-and-pant ensemble (yawn) but then he added an extra somethin'-somethin', a gold-and-black beaded Ascot/un-tied scarf that was stitched to the shirt.

This above (and below) is what he had worn throughout this season's Grand Prix, and notice that there was no gold-and-black added piece! So, this could be considered a "Costume Change"--well at least for the Men! Baby Steps for the Men.

Although it wasn't some extraordinary costume upgrade, I do like the change. His previous costume (above) looked a little amateur and had a "happy hands at home....with a bedazzler" feel to it. The new piece added a bit more excitement to what is basically a black ensemble.

Time for a Grand Prix Men's Costume Theme Minute: Suspenders

Jeremy Abbott of the USA: One of my favorite male figure skaters, Jeremy Abbott, donned a suspenders-and-shirt costume for his Grand Prix 2011-2011 Series Short Program skated to "Sing, Sing, Sing" and "Bei Mir Bistu Shein". LOVE the metallic silver braces (suspenders) and the pin-tucked blue-and-black shirt. The suspenders are really the stars of this costume. But then, there is a "Supporting Star" in his costume...

Are those Spats??? Yes, in fact, they are! Figure Skating Spats. Gotta Luv them! Jeremy, you are my new Costume Obsession. He's so early-20th Century Fashion Fab! Moving on...Another Suspender King was...

Javier Fernandez of Spain: Again, for his Short Program to "I Love Paris" and "Petit Fleur", he wore a white dress shirt, tucked-in mustard yellow "Mr Rodgers" cardigan, dark gray pleated (Pleated!!!) pants, and yes, SUSPENDERS. Abbott and now Fernandez...in Men's Figure Skating Costume Terms...it means a TREND has officially emerged! On a separate note: several TV commentators spoke of his skating--and costume--being reminiscent of his coach's "look".

His coach, in case you didn't know, is Brian Orser (seen above with his "star", Spain's Javier Fernandez at one of the Grand Prix 2011-2012 events' "kiss-and-cry"). Orser was a 1984 and 1988 Olympic Silver Medalist and 1981-88 Canadian national champion. In other words: don't mess with him kids!

Speaking of Brian Orser...Time For a Costume Flashback Homage:

Orser Red: Brian Orser, 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics Free Skate Costume

This was Brian Orser--and his Costume back at the Calgary 1988 Winter Olympics. Orser skated his Long Program/Free Skate to Shostakovich "Ballet Suite No. 5 from The Bolt" and well, let's just say, he "GAVE IT TO YOU!" in terms of costume. The bright red "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" gold-piping epaulets, gold buttons, the gold leafed sash...

The center front lapped zip flared-leg jumpsuit, the matching RED skate covers: Oh Lord, I think I just had a Figure Skating Costume Heart Attack...but in a good way. I miss those "Good Ol' Days" of Men's Figure Skating Costumes. Can I sign a Costume Petition to BRING BACK the Brian Orser Costume Days!!!! Please??

* Up Next: Grand Prix Finals Costumes Wrap-Up--Pairs, Ice Dancers

Figure Skating Fashion Minute: NHK Trophy 2011--The Men!

Oh The Boys...

Gold Medal Boy: Japan's Daisuke Takahashi skated an electrifying Free Skate which got him the top prize. His Free Skate costume was not a favorite of mine, unfortunately. I am just NOT A FAN of the tucked-in shirt, black pants and belt look. A BELT!!! Seriously???

This weekend was the Grand Prix of Japan--also called the 2011 NHK Trophy--held in Sapporo Japan. The event is organized by the Japan Skating Federation. As is custom, I have to give my "Nick V. Figure Skating Costumes" Two Cents to all the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. And of course, this was no exception.

First up: The Men...

Daisuke Takahashi of Japan: I wasn't a fan of his Free Skate costume (see above why) but I did like his Short Program ensemble. He's known for his (slightly) over-the-top costumes but for this season, they've been pretty tame. Daisuke is looking leaner and meaner--and also more sensual (yes, I said that!), and I really liked his "In The Garden of Souls" look. The slicked back hair, the fluttery chiffon with sequins top...the overall effect was actually quite disarming and beautiful at the same time.

Takahiko Kozuka of Japan: Silver Medalist Takahiko Kozuka wore the same outfit for his "Fantasia for Nausicaa" Free Skate that he wore at Skate America. I didn't like it then and I still don't like it...The tucked-in shirt, black pants and belt from "Men's Wearhouse" is TIRED and oh so 1992.

Ross Miner of the USA: Ross got the third place Bronze (Go Ross!) and I liked his "The Untouchables" Free Skate costume. It was sleek and modern. I would have liked a little color but the blue-black contrast seaming and detail was enough for me. He looked like a detective in the future--like in the year 2052!

Samuel Contesti of Italy: 4th place Contesti wore a very creative and "costume-y" ensemble for his Free Skate to "La Vie En Rose" ,"Ca Gaze" and "La Valse a Mile Temps". He looked like a cross between a French waiter in some Parisian Left Bank Cafe and Marcel Marceau:

The red-and-white striped shirt, the suspenders/braces and the neck scarf were fun and classic Contesti! I guess I was just happy to see a male competitor NOT wearing a belted ensemble and giving an interesting interpretation to the music he was skating to.

Tomas Verner of the Czech Republic: 5th Place Tomas skated his Short Program to the hip hop version of "Carmina Burana" wearing a very interesting all black with belted detail costume that looked like a futurist tux and straight jacket from a sanitarium--all at the same time! I actually liked it. Just for the fact that it was different.

Now, for his "Sing Sing Sing" and "La Vie En Rose" Free Skate, he went with a bright blue and bubblegum pink argyle/diamond print oversized necktie, suspenders, white pleated tuxedo shirt and black pants. Yes, I LOVE pops of color and therefore, me likey--I'd love to have an ascot in that print and Lord knows I would even wear it!!

Tatsuki Machida of Japan: His "Don Quixote" Free Skate costume was one of my favorites. The black with gold applique bolero jacket, pants and white shirt were a perfect backdrop to the music.

Brandon Mroz of the USA: Finally, there is Brandon Mroz. Brandon mesmerized the Sapporo Japan audience as he landed a quadruple lutz in an international competition at the 2011 NHK Trophy in his "Mack The Knife" Short Program. It was UNBELIEVABLE!! His black shirt, pin-striped trousers and undone bow tie costume worked seamlessly with the music. Ten "Nick Figure Skating Costume Points"!

For his Free Skate to Bizet's "Carmen", he wore a blood-red ruffled neckline shirt, a sleeveless Toreador sequined-and-flower appliqued vest and very skinny high-waited bull-fighter pants. His costume was Fabulous. I liked a vest interpretation to the iconic Toreador jacket. He did look a little like a Bulgarian folklore dancer but I was happy he "gave" costume! Unfortunately, his skating fell short and did not have the passion that a "Carmen" performance should exude. I think he needs to go to Madrid or Sevilla, take in a Flamenco show, get some lessons or go see a bullfight! Hopefully, next time his performance and skating will match the passion of his costume.

*Next Up: More Grand Prix of Japan/NHK Trophy 2011 Costumes! Stay tuned...