In honor of Lutz and Glory reaching 200 followers on Twitter, the three of us decided to share each of our own picks for the 5 best costumes from the past skating season! Here on the blog, we explain the reasoning behind our respective lists and have included pictures so you all can admire the costumes up close... Enjoy!
Kathy's Picks
1) Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje's "Four Seasons" Free Dance
Weaver/Poje clearly looked to their music for inspiration, and in both versions of the costumes, the theme of the music was beautifully reflected in the botanical motifs and natural color palette. To me, Weaver's dress evoked an autumn sunset while Poje's top and pants captured the essence of a winter night sky. The costumes flowed beautifully (as dance costumes should!) and were eye-catching but not gaudy. An easy choice for #1!
2) Qing Pang and Jian Tong's "Io Ci Saro" Free Skate
There are exquisite programs and there are exquisite costumes, but Pang/Tong's free skate delivered on both counts. The sky-blue ensembles complemented each other perfectly without being identical in shade or structure. The ruffles on Pang's dress and the blouse-y sleeves of Tong's shirt looked gorgeous in motion, suiting both the music and choreography. In addition, the swirled floral motif provided an air of regality. I can think of no better costumes in which to perform one's final competitive free skate.
3) Maé-Bérénice Méité's "Hosanna"/"The Groove You Liked" Short Program
Méité's ivory dress with gold-toned encrusted crystals was a sight to behold every time she stepped onto the ice. I loved each section of the costume with their varying degrees of opacity. The piece-y bodice and skirt served to wonderfully enhance the skater's powerful elements and movement. Bonus points for perfectly matched illusion mesh!
4) Shiyue Wang and Xinyu Liu's "The Artist" Soundtrack Free Dance
The Chinese ice dancers had a lively, charismatic free dance and equally interesting costumes to boot. I thought they looked youthful but appropriately classy--she in a fuchsia dress with pinstripe detailing, and he in a tuxedo vest, tie and pants which echoed the same lines. I most admired how the two ensembles subtly evoked the same patterns and color scheme, while also being beautiful pieces in their own right.
5) Laurine Lecavelier's "Carmen" Short Program
Lecavelier was a bit of a wildcard pick for me because she is a lesser-known skater, but her short program dress, with its statement neckline and rich purple color, stood out to me from the first time I saw it. It brings just the right amount of drama while incorporating different textures with refreshing modernity. The cluster of crystals at her hip was also a nice touch!
1) Mirai Nagasu "Madame Butterfly" Free Skate
My absolute favorite costume of this season had to be Nagasu's exquisite butterfly-themed dress. The jewels on the illusion mesh incorporated the theme so well, and accentuated some of Nagasu's brilliant moves in the field so well. It looked amazing on the ice, moved very well, fit her like a glove, and with the incredibly detailed and beautiful design, this breath-taking dress took the top spot for me easily. Nagasu is always very well-costumed, and this dress is no exception!
2) Ashley Wagner's "Moulin Rouge!" Long Program
It’s no surprise that Wagner ended up on this list. Her red Moulin Rouge inspired dress is the perfect copy in skating dress form, and the shape is incredibly flattering on her. The sparkly “necklace” is the perfect accent, and small details such as the glittery bustle-like bow on the back make this a gorgeous dress to be wearing when she won her third national title. Topped off with red lipstick, and this is an amazing look for Wagner.
3) Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker's "Romeo and Juliet" Free Dance
Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker had a magnificent senior debut, and these costumes were a highlight for me. While I enjoy Baker’s outfit, Hawayek’s dress steals the show for me. The ombre is lovely, but the pearl-encrusted cap sleeves are simply exquisite and the star of her dress. Simply superb!
4) Haven Denney and Brandon Frazier's "The Lion King" Long Program
These costumes are a great example of how pairs can match without too much similarity. I love the details on Denney’s dress and the tunic-like shape of Frazier’s shirt. In addition, it conveys the theme of The Lion King without being over-the-top, as it could be very easy to fall into the trap of doing too much when it comes to music from such a well-known movie. Overall, this is a stunning and well-coordinated look from the 2015 US silver medalists.
5) Joshua Farris' "Schindler's List" Long Program
This is sort of cheating, as Farris used this costume last season. But I love this look, as it is so flattering and works so well with the subdued program to Schindler’s List. I love the soft ombre and the draping, and it is simple without being plain. This was Farris’ breakout season, and I am glad it was accompanied by such a gorgeous costume.
Will's Picks
1). Adam Rippon's "Piano Concerto No. 1" (Liszt) Long Program
My favorite costume of the past figure skating season has to be Adam Rippon's free skate costume. This costume has not one stylistic flaw. Conceptually, it is simple but in terms of execution, you can clearly spot the meticulous encrustation of beautifully linear and symmetrical rhinestones encompassing the entire costume. I also like the contrast between the white torso and black lower body, which his physique fills out so wonderfully. Not only is the costume aesthetically pleasing, but it also reflects his elegant style and his music's grandeur.
2). Yu Xiaoyu and Jin Yang's "Humility and Love" (Creation) Long Program
The silver medalists, if you will, in my competition for best costume of the past season are Yu/Jin's free skate costumes. This team is a special case for me because thought the vibrance of Yu's costume catches the eye first, I prefer the understated blueness of Jin's costume. More than anything else, I love the color of these costumes and I also love how they emphasize the soothing tone and cadence of their free program music. They really are an exquisitely packaged team.
3). So Youn Park's "Romeo and Juliet" (Korzeniowski) Long Program
My third favorite costume of this past figure skating season belongs to Korea's So Youn Park. One of So Youn's signatures is that she has always been a beautifully packaged skater, every move on the ice precise and every hair in place. Her "Romeo and Juliet" costume certainly upholds that status. Much like with Rippon's costume, it is simple yet beautiful at first glance. Once truly examined, all of the meticulous crystal work done all throughout the costume. I also particularly enjoy the draped flutter shoulder pads and skirt section of the dress. Simply gorgeous.
4). Madeline Aaron and Max Settlage's "Coppélia" Short Program
My fourth favorite set of costumes from this past figure skating season was that of Aaron/Settlage. From the off, I intuitively knew that I just had to select this team to be in my list of favorite costumes. Season after season, this team never fails to turn some towards their always sleek and sophisticated costumes, and I think this season was their best yet, in terms of costumes. I had a difficult time choosing which program's costumes I would include, but I ultimately went with their short program costumes. The contrasting blues of their costumes is a wonderful embellishment as is they intricate crystallization work, but what I love most about these costumes is that they are authentic; they stayed true to the balletic style of "Coppélia", and that is something that they can be appreciated for not only as skaters, but as artists.
5). Madison Hubbell and Zach Donohue's "Paso Doble/Flamenco" Short Dance
My fifth favorite costumes from this season had to be the costumes of Hubbell/Donohue's short dance. I absolutely love the velvet, sheer look of her costume. It is regal and sophisticated, much like the style of their Paso Doble. While his black ensemble is rather understated, it beautifully accentuates her deep velvet costume. I do wish, however, that their free dance costumes were able to rival their short dance costumes, but we'll see what they produce this upcoming season.
