Figure Skating Fashion Minute: Skate Canada-The Ladies!

The Ice Queens...

Akiko Suzuki of Japan shines with her Short Program Costume, Skate Canada 2011

This past weekend was Skate Canada, the Canadian arm of the 2011-2012 Grand Prix of Figure Skating. I've already given my "Nick V. Two Cents" on the Pairs, the Ice Dancers, the Men (scroll though my "Older Posts" to check those out), so now, it's finally the Ladies turn.

The Top Three: Japan's Akiko Suzuki garnered the Silver, Russia's Elizaveta Tuktamysheva got the Gold, and USA's Ashley Wagner holds her Bronze Medal, Skate Canada 2011

I generally liked most of their costumes--they were appropriate for their programs and had some elements of FASHION, or evening gown red carpet appeal--which, as a designer, is always good to see--as opposed to tackety-tack "Toddlers & Tiaras" madness! (although, I do love me some Figure Skating Costume KRAZEENESS since otherwise, life would be SO boring without it!).

Akiko Suzuki of Japan: I LOVED BOTH Akiko's Short Program and Free Skate costumes. At the top of my post is the photo of her Short Program costume, which she skated to "Hungarian Rhapsody". The silver grey with black diamond-cut and beaded detail was so modern and "Haute Couture"-esque. You could take those details and that top section and make a fabulous floor-length gown out of it. A Ten for me! For her "Die Fledermaus" Free Skate, she wore a soft lilac and ivory look that again, worked for her and the program--and still looked High Fashion and not tacky. Whoever is doing her costumes: bravo!

But Not Bravo was...

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva (say her entire name FIVE times fast!!) of Russia: 15-year-old Elizaveta, skated her Gold Medal-winning Free Skate to a Medley of "Besame Mucho" and "Caravan". She was supposed to give an "air" of Latin-ness with her costume, I assume. It was pretty and the center front torso jeweled beading was OK, but there was just nothing special about it to me. It hit all the points a costume should, but it was fairly predictable and boring (especially compared to Ashley Wagner--keep scrolling). It almost looked recycled from the bygone Soviet Figure Skating Era.

Continuing with the Russian Ladies...

Alena Leonova of Russia: 4th place Leonova skated to Hans Zimmer's "Pirates of Caribbean" for her Short Program as seen in the above photo (of course!). It is not every day one sees a Ladies Figure Skater--in an international competition--wearing leggings as opposed to the typical skirted costume. Therefore, it woke me up! I thought it was fun: the ultra-fitted vest, the worn blouse, the "Pirate" gloves. I just wished she would have somehow worn a mini Pirate hat atop her head! Kidding! Alena is always a figure skater who brings a bit of the wacky to her costumes, lest we forget the now-infamous "The Witches of Eastwick" dingle-berry madness she wore last season (it deserves TWO photos darlings!!):

Alena Leonova of Russia in her "The Witches of Eastwick" costumes from the 2010-2011 Season

Miss Canada:

Cynthia Phaneuf of Canada: The "home town girl" Phaneuf--who incidentally ended up in 7th place--looked gorgeous in her costume. Above, is a photo of her in her Short Program which included "Spanish Guitar", "Bordaco en oro", and "Afternoon at Satie's". She chose a black costume with gold embellishment and corset-like detail. She looked like a Spanish Contessa.

For her "Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini" by Rachmaninov Free Skate, the contrast of the teal and black in her costume was great, as well as the delicate beading throughout the torso and neckline. I also like the plunging-but-not-plunging neckline. Good job all around for Cynthia in terms of her costumes! She has great style and always knows what works for her.

The American Girls:

Rachael Flatt of the USA: Rachael placed tenth overall at Skate Canada 2011. Yes, that was the bottom, however (on a positive side), I really liked her Free Skate "Firebird" costume as well as her "East of Eden" Short Program (above). Both looked expensive, well-made and expertly thought-out.

Ashley Wagner of the USA: Finally, Bronze Medalist at Skate Canada 2011-2012 Ashley Wagner wore one of my favorite costumes so far in this "one-shoulder" black beaded number for her "Black Swan" Free Skate. It was PERFECT! You go Girl!!!